August 18, 2025 • 40 mins
What does it take to truly connect with students who struggle? For Erin Jones, Assistant Principal at Sunrise Middle School, the answer lies in her own past. "I wasn't your picture-perfect student," she reveals, explaining how her personal challenges help her relate to behaviorally struggling students today.
This fascinating conversation explores Jones' unconventional path from school psychologist to educational leader. Rather than starting as a classroom teacher, she built expertise in student mental health and behavior before realizing she needed "a seat at the table" to create meaningful change. When a principal told her she was "built for middle school," she embraced her calling and never looked back.
Jones shares a powerful story about building trust with a challenging student who ultimately saw her office as a safe space during emotional crises. "He did exactly what his plan was," she reflects proudly, highlighting how creating psychological safety can transform student behavior. This student-centered approach defines her leadership philosophy and demonstrates the profound impact of meeting students where they are.
Currently implementing the Leader in Me program at her school and serving as president of her regional principals' association, Jones balances building-level leadership with broader educational advocacy. Her advice to aspiring administrators resonates with authenticity: "When it's the right opportunity, it will happen... you end up where you're supposed to be."
Whether you're considering educational leadership or simply looking to better understand challenging students, this episode offers valuable insights into creating school environments where everyone can thrive. How might your own struggles become your greatest teaching tools?
Connect with Mrs. Erin Jones:
Email: erijones@kearneycats.com
Sunrise Middle School Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SunriseMiddleSchool/
"Leadership in Me Program" Contact Sam Stecher for more Information:
Email: sam.stecher@franklincovey.com
Phone: 308-627-1969
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Connect with Principal JL Click Here:
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Principal JL (00:00):
Today I'm excited to bring in our guest, Erin
Jones.
She is an assistant principalat Sunrise Middle School in
Kearney, Nebraska.
Erin is entering in her fourthyear in administration and
brings more than 13 years ofexperience in education.
She's known for her practical,people-first approach and her
(00:21):
commitment to building strong,positive school culture,
especially in times of change.
We don't just talk about hereducational leadership journey,
but we talk about some thingsthat gets her really excited for
the upcoming school year, suchas the Leader in Me program and
becoming the president of theNebraska State Association of
(00:43):
Secondary School Principals forRegion 4.
Now let's get to theconversation with Aaron Jones.
All right, everybody, welcomeback to another episode of the
(01:03):
Educational Leadership Podcast.
I am thrilled to have Mrs ErinJones on the show today.
Erin, welcome to the show.
Erin Jones (01:12):
Thank you so much for having me.
Principal JL (01:15):
All right, Erin, I'm going to go ahead and I'm
going to start you off with thesame question.
I ask everybody what inspiresyou to become an educator?
Erin Jones (01:25):
So my journey to education is a little different
than most.
I was not one of those peoplethat was like I'm going to be a
teacher when I grow up or I'mgoing to be in education
Definitely wasn't one of thosepeople.
I didn't really find that untilmuch later in life.
I did not love school and Iprobably wasn't like your
(01:47):
picture perfect student.
So that's probably a good chunkof the reason why I relate so
well to some of our studentsthat have some struggling
behaviors.
I just never really found aplace to fit in school and it
wasn't until later on, like inhigh school junior senior year,
I had a music teacher who reallyjust saw beyond me and that saw
(02:09):
the potential that I had.
So that was really encouraging,and originally I had thought I
was going to become like anattorney or a clinical
psychologist, so I knew I wantedto be in a helping profession.
After I graduated from college Iwas just kind of struggling to
figure out where am I going tofit, and I was really fortunate
to have a great advisor whoconnected me with a professor at
(02:32):
UNK in the Department of SchoolPsychology and so after a few
conversations there I realizedlike okay, this is where I fit.
This is how I'm going to makethat impact, and it combined my
love of mental health andbehavior with also wanting to
help kids and be an advocate.
(02:52):
And again going back to becauseI didn't always thrive
academically or behaviorally andI think that that is just
really what motivated me to getinto school psychology and I
just really wanted to be aconsistent presence for kids in
the classroom and in the specialeducation setting, just wanting
to be an advocate for that, andso I try to just really use
(03:15):
that as I lead every day.
Principal JL (03:17):
Awesome.
So what was your first teachingrole?
What was that?
Where was that?
Erin Jones (03:23):
I was never a classroom teacher, I was a
school psychologist.
So my first job I was an internwith KPS oh gosh, a long time
ago.
And then from there I went tothe Sandhills Educational
Services Cooperative.
So I served Broken Bow,calloway and Selma Myrna,
sandhills and Ansley and ifyou're from Nebraska I mean
(03:47):
those are some of our smallercommunities but through that I
got so many leadershipopportunities that I don't think
I would have had otherwise,just because it was me and
another school psychologist andso we were just kind of running
with it and it was just, it wasgreat and it was a phenomenal
opportunity.
Principal JL (04:11):
And I'm just so grateful for that start.
So, as a school psychologist,it sounds like you were just
helping a bunch of differentdistricts and helping them out.
Were you doing like 504s?
Like what was the nature ofthat job?
And then how did thatexperience as a school
psychologist prepares you tobecome an assistant principal?
Yeah, so as a schoolpsychologist prepares you to
become an assistant principal?
Erin Jones (04:25):
Yeah, so as a school psychologist I was dealing a
lot with special education,figuring out if students were
eligible for special educationservices, giving those cognitive
assessments, academicassessments, so really figuring
out how the student was going towork the best in the classroom
setting.
And I mean that was just reallyimpactful, I guess.
(04:50):
And so I really worked closelywith our special education teams
to develop plans for studentsand through that I got to work
alongside some really phenomenalschool principals and
superintendents, because whenyou're in those smaller settings
you work with everybody.
Everyone's kind of wearingmultiple hats, and so that I
(05:11):
mean in and of itself was agreat preparation for leadership
.
Principal JL (05:16):
You bet it sounds like with that school
psychologist.
Like for me, I've been in smallrural schools as well as the
bigger districts, Like I'vetaught in, you know, Twin River,
I taught in Hershey, I taughtat Miller North High School,
Ralston High School, been aprincipal at Southern Valley and
now at Hastings High.
So I've kind of understand like, yeah, these small rural
schools, we all wear a lot ofhats and so you got to see some
(05:39):
of that, got to see a lot ofdifferent kids in a lot of
different ways.
So, yeah, with that schoolpsych role, that's a really
eye-opening experience and Ithink a lot of the things that
you were able to do and helpreally kind of prepared you into
that assistant principal rolethat you currently hold at this
time.
So what was it?
Was there something that hadyou?
(06:02):
What was it that made you go?
You know what?
I'm ready for the next step,I'm ready for the assistant
principal role.
What was that experience like?
And was it a tap on theshoulder?
Was it something that you feltlike, hey, it's time for that?
What played out?
What inspires you to take achance and head into the
administrative side of things ineducation?
Erin Jones (06:24):
So it initially started with special education.
I was sitting in an IEP meetingat a high school for one of our
students that was getting readyto graduate and I just remember
the programming that wasproposed.
I was like, oh, we can dobetter.
But without having a seat atthat table and being an
administrator, it's really hardto make that change happen.
(06:45):
And it was in that moment thatI was like, all right, I guess
I'm going to go back to schooland get my administrative
endorsement in special education, because that was the world
that I lived in and I loved andI knew it forwards, backwards,
upside down.
So that's what I did.
After I left the SandhillsCooperative I went to Grand
(07:06):
Island Public Schools and I wasthere as a school psychologist
and it was the one that wasreally like you were just built
for administration, I reallywant you on our leadership team,
(07:31):
and so that's kind of whatstarted that whole process in
Grand Island anyways.
And so I got moved into aneducation consultant and social
emotional cognitive learningcoach position my second year
there and social emotionalcognitive learning coach
position my second year there.
And in my second year it was aprincipal saying like you are
built for middle school.
So I got, I was placed at amiddle school in that consultant
(07:53):
role and he was like this islike your jam, this is where you
belong.
So I was like, okay, I do loveit.
So I'm going to go back toschool again and I'm going to
work on the general educationside of things and from there I
mean, he was just so encouragingto me.
He was my internship supervisor.
His name's Brad Wolf, heretired, and then Dr Tian, who
(08:17):
is still at UNK.
He was just, and he still islike he's like the ultimate
cheerleader for the educationcommunity and to always go
further and do more that.
And, like my parents, they'vealways said that education is
going to be your gateway to theworld and it has proved true.
So yeah, it was.
It was just kind of a mix ofpeople and experiences that got
(08:39):
me thinking like, OK, I don'tjust have to stay in special
education.
Principal JL (08:43):
All right.
So I mean there's a lot ofpeople that kind of impacted
your path and your journey intothe administrative role.
And I know who Dr Tian is.
I've talked with him and we'vehad our conversations off and on
.
So yeah, he's a great guy and agreat guy to kind of if he's
saying this is a good thing foryou.
You know, listen, because he'sbeen around quite a bit on that
(09:05):
end when it comes to justeducation and his experience in
the education world.
Now, with that said, you had toapply for principalships.
What was that experience like?
You know, because I know for me, I applied for several, turned
down a lot and it took a whilefor me to get that first
administrative job.
(09:26):
So kind of take us through thatjourney.
What was that like for you tojust land the role that you're
in as assistant principal, Ibelieve, at Sunrise Middle
School and Kearney?
So how was that journey likefor you?
Erin Jones (09:40):
So I had interviewed with Kearney Public School
District for another positionand if you know any of the
leaders at KPS, it's just areally strong group of people
that really leverage theirtalents well to find other
people with good talent.
So I still remember after thatinterview getting a phone call
(10:04):
and saying it was from JasonMendorf, and he called and he
said like we want you in thisdistrict, we're going to find
you the right spot in thisdistrict, and at that time he
was the associate superintendentand I was also nine months
pregnant with my second child.
That threw a little hitch insome things too.
So the next year is when bothof the assistant middle school
(10:26):
positions opened up, and I meanAmber Lewis is phenomenal and
Clint Edwards was moving up intoa district position and I had
worked with him during myinternship.
And Mark Johnson, I feel like,just has a stellar reputation
and if you've read his book itHappens in the Hallway you get a
really good glimpse of his kindof outlook towards school and
(10:50):
school environments and I wasjust so excited to get to
interview with both of them forthat position.
And I remember when I met withMark and the team here at
Sunrise I was like this is it?
Because I think I even asked inthat interview, like what are
your top three areas that youthink need to be tackled?
And when they mentionedbehavior and the increasing need
(11:11):
of mental health serviceswithin the school setting, I'm
like this is where I belong andI just I knew it.
Mark will tell me now, likethat, he just knew it and it all
happens like it's supposed to.
So I think I had interviewedfor three other administrative
positions before I got this one,and so I mean that's another
(11:33):
thing too, I think for aspiringadministrators, like it will
work out when it is supposed towork out and you will end up
where you're supposed to be.
Principal JL (11:42):
Yeah, and I totally agree with that, because
I think when the door closes inone opportunity, that just
means that just wasn't a goodfit for you.
Because when people dointerview for these positions
like myself, I will, you know,interview people and just a
couple of years ago I had tointerview assistant principals
and you know, there's, you know,pretty good talent out there
(12:03):
and you just want to find theright fit.
Doesn't mean other people thatyou turn down were like not
capable.
It was just you didn't fit whatwe were looking for.
And when you, when everythingaligns and everything comes
together, then you're going tobe where you're supposed to be.
And that's kind of what happenedhere at Hastings for me is, you
(12:24):
know, I applied for severalpositions, got turned down a lot
.
I learned something from it.
But when the right people saidthis is your job and this is you
know when, when things lined upthe way it is, it works out.
And you know I've been here andand it's worked out really well
and for me, I'll be here untilthey decide they won't want me
anymore.
That's kind of the goal, rightOn that end.
(12:47):
So yeah, everything will lineup and you know what, everything
from the job down to yourpersonal life will line up too,
and when those things line upyou know you're in the right
space when it comes to that job.
So really appreciate yourinsights on that.
And people could always learnfrom every time they put in an
(13:08):
interview and they have learnedfrom that and then move on and
take that knowledge and use itinto your next interview because
you'll find that space whereyou're supposed to be and they
will fit the way it needs to.
So with that you know yourassistant principal, let's talk
about your first year a littlebit.
What are some challenges youhad?
What are some things you had tolearn?
(13:28):
What are some stories you couldtell us like you know what I
wasn't prepared for this part ofbeing an assistant principal,
you know.
I know you got some, so let'stalk about it.
Erin Jones (13:40):
Okay.
So the one that stood out to methe most, and this was the one
when I knew like, okay, I'm, I'mwhere I'm supposed to be.
We had these two boys and ithad to have been like my second
or third week at Sunrise andthey weren't even in the same
grade, but we found them in abathroom together.
So I mean, we're kind ofthinking, why were you both in
(14:01):
the bathroom together?
You're not in the same grade,why are you in this hallway
together?
So we bring him into the office, my principal takes one and
puts him in his office and Itake the other.
And I came in and I've neverbeen scared of a kid before.
But I was like, oh my gosh,this kid isn't making eye
contact, it is just a flataffect.
(14:22):
He looks so angry, he's alittle scary.
And I even remember I textedMark, my principal, and he
didn't respond and I'm like,okay, I guess I'm just flying
solo.
Here we go.
And I took my school psychtraining and I paired it with
being the daughter of a policeofficer and I just started
(14:46):
asking questions.
It was kind of rapid fire andat first he wouldn't say
anything and then finally I gota couple shrugs and then I got
some head nods and then I gotsome one word answers and then
finally, by the end of it wewere having a conversation and
it still wasn't like oh, we'rebest friends now.
But just from that interactionit really evolved.
(15:09):
And I worked so much with thiskiddo, his seventh grade year,
eighth grade year, and he had somany other things going on
outside of school as well.
And that's something that Ifeel like can be forgotten is we
don't always remember what kidscome to school with, what
they're dealing with outside ofthe building and the impact it
(15:29):
can have.
Anyway, so this kid, hestruggled with some behavioral
outbursts.
He was a little apathetic, butI remember he would come out and
help walk around the cafeteriawith me and wanted to do lunch
duty with me, but we were stillstruggling with these behavioral
outbursts.
So we made this great plan andhis plan was always that if
you're starting to get escalated, you come to the office.
(15:53):
So fast forward.
He shows up one morning, walksin the front door, our counselor
tells him good morning and heyells some explicatives at her,
goes like, comes into my officeI was sitting in my office slams
the door so hard the ceilingtiles shake and it's like
snowing and just starts cussingand throwing his stuff throwing
(16:16):
his Chromebook, beating up hisbinder.
Still yelling Didn't ever tryto hurt me.
I never felt like I was indanger, didn't hurt any of my
like personal belongings, wasn'tkicking walls or anything, just
beating the crap out of hisbinder.
Finally he starts to deescalateand he just breaks down and
starts sobbing.
(16:37):
And it was just one of thosemoments where it wasn't perfect
but he did exactly what his planwas and his plan was that he
came in here, we shut the door,he didn't run out into the
building, he wasn't causinghavoc in the hallways, wasn't
yelling at teachers, wasn'tdoing any of that stuff.
So I just felt so proud of himthat I was his safe space and he
(17:01):
did exactly what he wassupposed to do.
Now the kind of funny side of itis watching it back on the
cameras and I mean you could seefrom the second this kiddo got
out of the car.
He was not happy but when thedoor slammed, everyone that was
out in our main office area,they left.
And I remember watching that onthe camera and I'm like hello
(17:24):
guys.
I saw both secretaries get upand walk away and later they
tell me like oh, I was lookingfor the school resource officer,
I was trying to find Mr Johnson, and then the other teacher
that was coming in for apost-observation meeting.
He was like yeah, I knew youwere busy and I probably just
need to come back later.
But I still just laugh becausein that moment they all just
(17:47):
left me.
But that was such a greatlearning experience.
It was a great affirmation ofthis is where I'm supposed to be
and this is.
This is what we're supposed tobe doing with kids, even if it's
one kid impacting them at atime.
Principal JL (18:02):
It was just a very full circle moment for me
similar to that when you buildup those trust with those kids
and they get to know you andthey can come in and they can
just like just break down andthey can really let you in.
And then that's where you canhelp them the most.
That's when you know you'reimpacting, you're like, okay, I
(18:25):
am helping people and it's kindof gives you that reassurance
that the things you've done, therelationship building that you
have done with that child hascome full circle, because now
they feel comfortable enoughwith you to say you know what,
you are my safe space, and youkind of talked about that.
And when we can be other kidssafe spaces, we know we're doing
(18:46):
the job the way we need to doit, cause if kids don't feel
safe with you, they'll never getto that point.
And I talk to kids all the timeLike you could be having a
crappy day.
You come into my office, shutthe door, I let you.
I mean, I was in a military.
You can say whatever you want,ain't gonna, ain't gonna bother
me, cuss it up whatever, do whatyou need.
(19:07):
And then it's like do you feelbetter?
Okay, what's the issue, whatcan we do to solve it?
And then we move on.
But sometimes kids need thatand if you can give them that, I
mean that's, that's a greatthing.
So I was really appreciatedthat that story you gave,
because I'm pretty sure a lot ofus kind of go through or have a
story like that that makes usgo wow.
(19:27):
You know, at first this wasreally challenging, but you know
what, in the end it's rewarding, because it takes time to see
the rewards in this job.
And so, drew, thank you forsharing that.
So, being an assistantprincipal, you know you have
that, you know you're doing itfor four years.
Erin Jones (19:59):
You know what are some other goals.
Do you have as an administratorwhen it comes to you know, you
know.
Do you have like next steps?
Do you aspire to be a headprincipal?
Are you kind?
Principal JL (20:05):
of good where you're at this time.
Erin Jones (20:06):
That's such a tricky question because, not to put
you on the spot, believe thateducational leadership is a
journey and we're constantlylearning, finding another skill
to sharpen, and I just feelreally fortunate to get to learn
from, like Mark, who's myprincipal.
He's just a phenomenal leader,and so getting to watch how he
(20:26):
handles situations, but thenalso leaning more on our
district level administrators,other building principals I just
think that that's so great.
So I mean, one of my biggestthings going forward is just to
continue to build thoserelationships.
This year we're starting theimplementation of Leader in Me,
which is all based off of theseven habits of highly effective
(20:50):
people, and I am so excited toreally dive into that and see
those paradigm shifts, not justwith our students but with our
staff as well, and so that'sreally where I'm focused at.
As far as, like, next steps ineducation, I think that you end
up where you were supposed to be.
So if other opportunities comeup, I guess we'll cross that
(21:11):
bridge when we come to it, but Ilove what I'm doing now.
Principal JL (21:15):
Yeah, I know, like when you're ready to take those
next steps, like for me, youjust, you just know, and it's
one of those things, like for meto go from being the building
principal at Southern Valley toHastings there's just some
things that happened that I waslike it's time to go and it's
time to seek those opportunities.
And when they line up and theywork out the way they do, they
(21:38):
just they just do.
So I would say continue to, towork on your leadership skills
and the things that you're doing.
I know what program you'retalking about.
I believe it's with FranklinCoveney, is that correct?
Yeah, yeah, so with Sam and allthose guys.
So maybe I'll link that intothe show notes and check it out.
I'll do.
I'll do Sam a solid this onetime.
Erin Jones (22:00):
So we actually did this two day like leadership
seminar.
Oh gosh, was that?
It was talk about it.
Principal JL (22:07):
Talk about some things you've done already with
this program.
Erin Jones (22:09):
Yeah, so we did it and it was with all of the
school administrators in KPS andwe spent two days over at
central office and we reallyjust dived into leadership and
we looked at our core values asleaders.
We looked at the district'smission statement and how we can
align that to the things thatwe're doing in our buildings
every day.
(22:30):
And it was just a reallyempowering two days to get to
really look at what drives us aseducators, not just in our
buildings but also at home oraway from the school building
and being I mean so I've got twolittle boys at home and a
husband and just how tointegrate all of the things
(22:51):
together and looking at yourselfas a whole leader.
And it was just.
It was such a great experienceIf any district gets the
opportunity to go through that,that leadership two-day training
with Sam Stecker or whoevercomes out to put it on.
I mean, jump at the opportunitybecause we learned I learned so
(23:13):
much about myself as a, a leader, an educator, a mom, and it was
so cool to get to pick up someof those other tidbits from
other administrators that Iwouldn't necessarily interact
with on a regular basis, so thatwas really cool.
And then we have sentleadership teams to the Leader
(23:33):
in Me symposiums.
We've had people go toCalifornia.
We had a big group go to DesMoines, iowa.
We just sent our team toChicago and so it just, I think,
furthers that point thatCarnegie Public Schools is so
invested in this because we'veseen what the data looks like
(23:54):
from schools that haveimplemented this and we want
that for our kids and for ourcommunity.
So it's just been a greatexperience so far.
I'm so excited to get kids inhere, just officially get this
rolling, you bet.
Principal JL (24:07):
No, it sounds like a great opportunity.
It sounds like KPS is doingsome great things over there,
basically training up theireducational leaders, because I
would say, not every districtmakes the commitment financially
to do that, and so it's reallygreat to hear that other
districts have made thosecommitments and those things
like that to help sharpen theireducational leaders.
(24:28):
Because we all know the leadersin the building, you know, kind
of help set that tone and itall filters down into their
staff and their students, and sothe impact you can make as an
educational leader, as aprincipal, in your building does
impact the classroom, becauseyou're working with teachers,
you're working with kids, you'reworking with parents, you're
(24:49):
working with parties, you'reworking with all the different
aspects every day, on a daily.
To get those things alignedthroughout your district and
have consistency is supervaluable, and I'm really happy
that you guys are doing that.
So, aaron, we're going to kindof shift gears a little bit.
You've recently been named thepresident of the Nebraska State
(25:10):
Association of Secondary Schools, principal for Region 4.
So congratulations on that.
To start off with, what doesthis role mean to you?
What do you feel like?
You know, how is it going toimpact your leadership, and you
know what does it mean to youjust being in this position the
(25:40):
state level and getting to siton that state board is really
cool.
Erin Jones (25:42):
I just had my first official meeting I guess at our
state admin days and that wasreally cool.
To hear about all of theexperiences people have had
throughout the summer and thelegislative advocacy that people
are doing and how many peopleNebraska is sending to
Washington DC to advocate onbehalf of education was just
awesome to hear about and to getto be part of.
(26:03):
And to sit on that board andget to be part of those
conversations is just it'sawesome and it's such a great
experience and you'll get toexperience that soon as our
president-elect.
Principal JL (26:15):
Yeah, I kind of keep it on the down low.
But yeah, I am thepresident-elect of Region 4.
You know it's going to be a lotof fun.
We're going to work together toreally make that region.
In my opinion, we got to makethe region the best region in
the state of Nebraska.
At the same time, what do youhope to accomplish in this role
as president of the Region 4?
Erin Jones (26:35):
I really want to increase the participation from
our region.
We have some larger schooldistricts that we just haven't
been able to really pull intothe group meetings and find
value in those, and I have justfound so, like you said, I'm
starting year four I had a greatconversation last year oh about
it was second semester with ourhuman resources director and
(26:59):
she just said something thatstuck with me and it was like
the teachers will always pickteachers and so administrators
really need to learn to lean onadministrators and we don't have
to be siloed and so to reallyjust invest in that time with
getting to share and collaborateand learn from one another, and
(27:21):
I just I have found that to besuch great advice and that's
what I hope to bring to Region 4.
I hope that we can reallycommunicate with other schools,
with other leaders that mightnot be participating yet, that
this is an opportunity for youto get to collaborate with other
leaders from other districts.
Even if you're in a largerdistrict like Grand Island, like
(27:43):
Hastings, like Kearney, there'sstill valuable information to
be found by being part of theseregional organizations.
So I really just hope that wecan increase those membership
people and hopefully increasethe amount of scholarships we
can give away and just continueto to grow our network.
Principal JL (28:03):
You bet I mean for me I'm going in my eighth year
as a principal.
I've always been in region fourbecause of when I was at
Southern Valley, that was theregion, but it took me a few
years to come around, to go onthe medians, to be honest, cause
when you feel like entering asmall rural school setting, you
feel like you can't leave,especially when I knew if I go
anywhere, things are going tofall apart.
(28:24):
But then, to be honest, that'swhere, that's where you're at
and some of those things.
I know what that feeling waslike.
Oh, I'd really like to go, butyou know, if I go, then who's
going to do this?
If something happens and youplay these what if?
Games, it came to the point towhere I had to go.
You know what I have to make acommitment to go into these
(28:48):
region meetings.
I learned that I can't, youknow, sit in my position and not
network, and I think that'swhat one of the reasons why I
started going to the region fourmeetings and then I started
hearing all the stories fromeverybody like wow, that's.
You know, that's really goodinformation.
I started learning from otherpeople and I kept going to
region meetings and things likethat, and so that's really kind
(29:08):
of what inspired this podcast islearning from other educators
and other principals.
I want to learn from otherpeople.
But yeah, we all have storieswe can tell people.
But yeah, we all have storieswe can tell and I would like to
share that out for people thatare in those smaller districts,
or even in the larger districts,to where they have some sort of
resource or professionaldevelopment that they can go to
(29:31):
to learn about something orlearn from someone that they may
be able to take back to theirdistrict and maybe implement.
But for me, I had to get systemscreated.
So when I was gone out of mybuilding, everybody understood
the processes and once I gotthose things down, I felt more
comfortable with leaving.
Now, at Hastings High, I leavethe building off and on and I
(29:54):
know that my assistantprincipals are going to take
care of things, because I dohave to go to district meetings.
I do have to go to not justregion four meetings, I go to
conference meetings as well, andso there's a lot of different
meetings that I will do outsideof the building.
I even do family team meetings.
I'll do one tomorrow night.
Honestly, so I'll do a lot ofdifferent things to where I need
(30:16):
to be at.
But, at the same time, if youdon't have systems in place, it
does make it harder for you towant to leave.
But you guys, once you get thosethings in place and you start
networking, it's a great thingto do, and we do not want to
silos ourselves like you justtalked about.
We want to be able to networkand connect with people on that
end.
So, hey, I'm going to wish youwell.
I'm going to be here supportingyou for the next few years.
(30:38):
On that end, you know, I thinkwe'll make a great team.
I'm really excited about what'sahead for Region 4 and your
leadership and just workingtogether as we move forward, you
know, the next couple of yearstogether.
So, with that said, what issomething that you can give?
What advice could you give topeople that are aspiring to
(31:00):
become a principal, assistantprincipal?
You know that they could takewith them what's something that
you've learned that you can use,some wisdom that you've learned
?
Erin Jones (31:11):
so this is such a it's such a multi-layered
question, I guess, like for andwe've kind of already talked
about this a little bit but whenit is the right opportunity,
when it's the right move, likeit will happen and it will
happen.
I always think that you end upwhere you're supposed to be and
(31:33):
not to be afraid to have to stepoutside of what's comfortable.
So if I I firmly believe, likeif I would not have gone to
Grand Island Public Schools, Iwould not be in the position I
am in now, because I got greatexperiences where I was, but I
knew that I needed more.
I knew I needed more in alarger school district.
I knew that I wanted moreknowledge in order to be a
(31:53):
better leader.
And being able to be okay withstepping outside of that comfort
zone is really what I think canpropel people forward.
And to not sell yourself shortor be too afraid of making those
changes and that would probablybe my biggest piece of advice
and not to give up, because Imean you are already talking
(32:15):
about like you were told no, howmany times?
I was told no, how many times,and so you get that yes.
So if it's something thatyou're really passionate about
just really to find, like, whatyour core values are, what your
mission is.
Why are you stepping up?
Why do you want to do this?
So no and I know that sounds socorny, but no, you're why, and
just not give up if it'ssomething that you're super
(32:38):
passionate about.
Principal JL (32:40):
Yeah, no, you hit a lot of great points there,
erin.
You know understanding who youare as a leader, because when
you go in these interviews, youhave to do the job to where, hey
, I want you to see me in theseat.
You have to sell yourself in away, to where that you can help
(33:01):
them envision you doing the joband what experiences you have.
How can you take thoseexperiences and say, from this
experience, this is how I'dhandle this situation, cause you
and I don't know they give youa crap load of scenarios, how
would you handle this and howwould you handle this.
They want you to triage, theywant you to do these things, and
so, with these scenarios, youjust got to rely on the
(33:23):
information that, theexperiences you have, and you
have to be able to show them Ican do the job because I had
this experience.
This is how I handle it and I'dhandle it in a similar way, and
you have to show them that theycan see you in that seat.
And so those are all greatinformation and you know,
knowing your purpose and thosethings are all important as well
(33:44):
.
You know, when it comes toaspiring leaders and coming down
the road, coming up.
We're getting ready to startthe new year.
What has you excited?
What is like the thing that gotyou excited for the 25-26
school year?
Erin Jones (33:59):
I am so excited about Leader in Me and I know
that I've already talked aboutit a couple of times, but we got
to go listen to Mrs Kloneskifrom Wood River.
She presented at Admin Daysabout Leader in Me and how
that's really impacted herbuilding.
And then just the more I learnabout Leader in Me and what it's
done for some of these schooldistricts, the more excited I
(34:22):
get about it.
I just think that it's such apowerful tool and once we get
everybody on the same page withthat, we have such a phenomenal
leadership team and from theget-go I mean they committed
three years to being on thisleadership team and said like
all right, we're in it, we'regoing to do it.
We've got teachers from acrossthe board on this team.
(34:43):
We've got eighth graderepresented, seventh grade, sped
, sixth I mean it's justeverybody and they are the ones
that are really leading thischarge with the other teachers.
So they'll get that training onnext Wednesday and I'm just so
excited to see how it impactsour students.
Principal JL (35:02):
And you know what we're going to probably talk
about it because we're going tobe connecting quite a bit, and
so I'm really going to beinterested the leader, me
training, just the journeyyou're going on and how it's
helping you become an educator,and maybe down the road we could
have you come back and talkabout the experiences and how
it's helped you grow as a leader, if that's something you're up
(35:24):
for.
Erin Jones (35:25):
Heck, yes.
Principal JL (35:26):
All right, well, erin, this has been a great
conversation.
I really appreciate having youon the show today.
If people would like to reachout to and learn more about what
you do at Sunrise and maybe theLeader in Me program that
you're being involved with atKPS, how could they do that?
Erin Jones (35:45):
So you, the easiest and best way to reach me is
through email, so it's justE-R-I-J-O-N-E-S at
kearneycatscom, and I probablycheck my email too much, but
that's the best way.
You can also follow us on theSunrise Middle School Facebook
page.
We post a lot of the fun thingsthat our kids are doing, that
(36:07):
our staff are doing, and it'sjust a really fun landing page
for all things Sunrise.
Principal JL (36:14):
Awesome, and so what I'll do is I'll take that
information, I'll link it downin the show notes so people can
easily find you and connect withyou to learn more about some of
the great things that arehappening at Sunrise as well.
Aaron, it was great having youon the show.
Have a great night.
What a great conversation withAaron Jones.
It was fun to learn from herinsights and the great things
(36:37):
that are going on in hereducational leadership journey.
If this episode resonates withyou, please share it with
someone who needs to hear it.
Thank you for tuning in andremember to be curious and 1%
better each day.
Today I'm excited to bring in our guest, Erin
Jones.
She is an assistant principalat Sunrise Middle School in
Kearney, Nebraska.
Erin is entering in her fourthyear in administration and
brings more than 13 years ofexperience in education.
She's known for her practical,people-first approach and her
(00:21):
commitment to building strong,positive school culture,
especially in times of change.
We don't just talk about hereducational leadership journey,
but we talk about some thingsthat gets her really excited for
the upcoming school year, suchas the Leader in Me program and
becoming the president of theNebraska State Association of
(00:43):
Secondary School Principals forRegion 4.
Now let's get to theconversation with Aaron Jones.
All right, everybody, welcomeback to another episode of the
(01:03):
Educational Leadership Podcast.
I am thrilled to have Mrs ErinJones on the show today.
Erin, welcome to the show.
Erin Jones (01:12):
Thank you so much for having me.
Principal JL (01:15):
All right, Erin, I'm going to go ahead and I'm
going to start you off with thesame question.
I ask everybody what inspiresyou to become an educator?
Erin Jones (01:25):
So my journey to education is a little different
than most.
I was not one of those peoplethat was like I'm going to be a
teacher when I grow up or I'mgoing to be in education
Definitely wasn't one of thosepeople.
I didn't really find that untilmuch later in life.
I did not love school and Iprobably wasn't like your
(01:47):
picture perfect student.
So that's probably a good chunkof the reason why I relate so
well to some of our studentsthat have some struggling
behaviors.
I just never really found aplace to fit in school and it
wasn't until later on, like inhigh school junior senior year,
I had a music teacher who reallyjust saw beyond me and that saw
(02:09):
the potential that I had.
So that was really encouraging,and originally I had thought I
was going to become like anattorney or a clinical
psychologist, so I knew I wantedto be in a helping profession.
After I graduated from college Iwas just kind of struggling to
figure out where am I going tofit, and I was really fortunate
to have a great advisor whoconnected me with a professor at
(02:32):
UNK in the Department of SchoolPsychology and so after a few
conversations there I realizedlike okay, this is where I fit.
This is how I'm going to makethat impact, and it combined my
love of mental health andbehavior with also wanting to
help kids and be an advocate.
(02:52):
And again going back to becauseI didn't always thrive
academically or behaviorally andI think that that is just
really what motivated me to getinto school psychology and I
just really wanted to be aconsistent presence for kids in
the classroom and in the specialeducation setting, just wanting
to be an advocate for that, andso I try to just really use
(03:15):
that as I lead every day.
Principal JL (03:17):
Awesome.
So what was your first teachingrole?
What was that?
Where was that?
Erin Jones (03:23):
I was never a classroom teacher, I was a
school psychologist.
So my first job I was an internwith KPS oh gosh, a long time
ago.
And then from there I went tothe Sandhills Educational
Services Cooperative.
So I served Broken Bow,calloway and Selma Myrna,
sandhills and Ansley and ifyou're from Nebraska I mean
(03:47):
those are some of our smallercommunities but through that I
got so many leadershipopportunities that I don't think
I would have had otherwise,just because it was me and
another school psychologist andso we were just kind of running
with it and it was just, it wasgreat and it was a phenomenal
opportunity.
Principal JL (04:11):
And I'm just so grateful for that start.
So, as a school psychologist,it sounds like you were just
helping a bunch of differentdistricts and helping them out.
Were you doing like 504s?
Like what was the nature ofthat job?
And then how did thatexperience as a school
psychologist prepares you tobecome an assistant principal?
Yeah, so as a schoolpsychologist prepares you to
become an assistant principal?
Erin Jones (04:25):
Yeah, so as a school psychologist I was dealing a
lot with special education,figuring out if students were
eligible for special educationservices, giving those cognitive
assessments, academicassessments, so really figuring
out how the student was going towork the best in the classroom
setting.
And I mean that was just reallyimpactful, I guess.
(04:50):
And so I really worked closelywith our special education teams
to develop plans for studentsand through that I got to work
alongside some really phenomenalschool principals and
superintendents, because whenyou're in those smaller settings
you work with everybody.
Everyone's kind of wearingmultiple hats, and so that I
(05:11):
mean in and of itself was agreat preparation for leadership
.
Principal JL (05:16):
You bet it sounds like with that school
psychologist.
Like for me, I've been in smallrural schools as well as the
bigger districts, Like I'vetaught in, you know, Twin River,
I taught in Hershey, I taughtat Miller North High School,
Ralston High School, been aprincipal at Southern Valley and
now at Hastings High.
So I've kind of understand like, yeah, these small rural
schools, we all wear a lot ofhats and so you got to see some
(05:39):
of that, got to see a lot ofdifferent kids in a lot of
different ways.
So, yeah, with that schoolpsych role, that's a really
eye-opening experience and Ithink a lot of the things that
you were able to do and helpreally kind of prepared you into
that assistant principal rolethat you currently hold at this
time.
So what was it?
Was there something that hadyou?
(06:02):
What was it that made you go?
You know what?
I'm ready for the next step,I'm ready for the assistant
principal role.
What was that experience like?
And was it a tap on theshoulder?
Was it something that you feltlike, hey, it's time for that?
What played out?
What inspires you to take achance and head into the
administrative side of things ineducation?
Erin Jones (06:24):
So it initially started with special education.
I was sitting in an IEP meetingat a high school for one of our
students that was getting readyto graduate and I just remember
the programming that wasproposed.
I was like, oh, we can dobetter.
But without having a seat atthat table and being an
administrator, it's really hardto make that change happen.
(06:45):
And it was in that moment thatI was like, all right, I guess
I'm going to go back to schooland get my administrative
endorsement in special education, because that was the world
that I lived in and I loved andI knew it forwards, backwards,
upside down.
So that's what I did.
After I left the SandhillsCooperative I went to Grand
(07:06):
Island Public Schools and I wasthere as a school psychologist
and it was the one that wasreally like you were just built
for administration, I reallywant you on our leadership team,
(07:31):
and so that's kind of whatstarted that whole process in
Grand Island anyways.
And so I got moved into aneducation consultant and social
emotional cognitive learningcoach position my second year
there and social emotionalcognitive learning coach
position my second year there.
And in my second year it was aprincipal saying like you are
built for middle school.
So I got, I was placed at amiddle school in that consultant
(07:53):
role and he was like this islike your jam, this is where you
belong.
So I was like, okay, I do loveit.
So I'm going to go back toschool again and I'm going to
work on the general educationside of things and from there I
mean, he was just so encouragingto me.
He was my internship supervisor.
His name's Brad Wolf, heretired, and then Dr Tian, who
(08:17):
is still at UNK.
He was just, and he still islike he's like the ultimate
cheerleader for the educationcommunity and to always go
further and do more that.
And, like my parents, they'vealways said that education is
going to be your gateway to theworld and it has proved true.
So yeah, it was.
It was just kind of a mix ofpeople and experiences that got
(08:39):
me thinking like, OK, I don'tjust have to stay in special
education.
Principal JL (08:43):
All right.
So I mean there's a lot ofpeople that kind of impacted
your path and your journey intothe administrative role.
And I know who Dr Tian is.
I've talked with him and we'vehad our conversations off and on
.
So yeah, he's a great guy and agreat guy to kind of if he's
saying this is a good thing foryou.
You know, listen, because he'sbeen around quite a bit on that
(09:05):
end when it comes to justeducation and his experience in
the education world.
Now, with that said, you had toapply for principalships.
What was that experience like?
You know, because I know for me, I applied for several, turned
down a lot and it took a whilefor me to get that first
administrative job.
(09:26):
So kind of take us through thatjourney.
What was that like for you tojust land the role that you're
in as assistant principal, Ibelieve, at Sunrise Middle
School and Kearney?
So how was that journey likefor you?
Erin Jones (09:40):
So I had interviewed with Kearney Public School
District for another positionand if you know any of the
leaders at KPS, it's just areally strong group of people
that really leverage theirtalents well to find other
people with good talent.
So I still remember after thatinterview getting a phone call
(10:04):
and saying it was from JasonMendorf, and he called and he
said like we want you in thisdistrict, we're going to find
you the right spot in thisdistrict, and at that time he
was the associate superintendentand I was also nine months
pregnant with my second child.
That threw a little hitch insome things too.
So the next year is when bothof the assistant middle school
(10:26):
positions opened up, and I meanAmber Lewis is phenomenal and
Clint Edwards was moving up intoa district position and I had
worked with him during myinternship.
And Mark Johnson, I feel like,just has a stellar reputation
and if you've read his book itHappens in the Hallway you get a
really good glimpse of his kindof outlook towards school and
(10:50):
school environments and I wasjust so excited to get to
interview with both of them forthat position.
And I remember when I met withMark and the team here at
Sunrise I was like this is it?
Because I think I even asked inthat interview, like what are
your top three areas that youthink need to be tackled?
And when they mentionedbehavior and the increasing need
(11:11):
of mental health serviceswithin the school setting, I'm
like this is where I belong andI just I knew it.
Mark will tell me now, likethat, he just knew it and it all
happens like it's supposed to.
So I think I had interviewedfor three other administrative
positions before I got this one,and so I mean that's another
(11:33):
thing too, I think for aspiringadministrators, like it will
work out when it is supposed towork out and you will end up
where you're supposed to be.
Principal JL (11:42):
Yeah, and I totally agree with that, because
I think when the door closes inone opportunity, that just
means that just wasn't a goodfit for you.
Because when people dointerview for these positions
like myself, I will, you know,interview people and just a
couple of years ago I had tointerview assistant principals
and you know, there's, you know,pretty good talent out there
(12:03):
and you just want to find theright fit.
Doesn't mean other people thatyou turn down were like not
capable.
It was just you didn't fit whatwe were looking for.
And when you, when everythingaligns and everything comes
together, then you're going tobe where you're supposed to be.
And that's kind of what happenedhere at Hastings for me is, you
(12:24):
know, I applied for severalpositions, got turned down a lot
.
I learned something from it.
But when the right people saidthis is your job and this is you
know when, when things lined upthe way it is, it works out.
And you know I've been here andand it's worked out really well
and for me, I'll be here untilthey decide they won't want me
anymore.
That's kind of the goal, rightOn that end.
(12:47):
So yeah, everything will lineup and you know what, everything
from the job down to yourpersonal life will line up too,
and when those things line upyou know you're in the right
space when it comes to that job.
So really appreciate yourinsights on that.
And people could always learnfrom every time they put in an
(13:08):
interview and they have learnedfrom that and then move on and
take that knowledge and use itinto your next interview because
you'll find that space whereyou're supposed to be and they
will fit the way it needs to.
So with that you know yourassistant principal, let's talk
about your first year a littlebit.
What are some challenges youhad?
What are some things you had tolearn?
(13:28):
What are some stories you couldtell us like you know what I
wasn't prepared for this part ofbeing an assistant principal,
you know.
I know you got some, so let'stalk about it.
Erin Jones (13:40):
Okay.
So the one that stood out to methe most, and this was the one
when I knew like, okay, I'm, I'mwhere I'm supposed to be.
We had these two boys and ithad to have been like my second
or third week at Sunrise andthey weren't even in the same
grade, but we found them in abathroom together.
So I mean, we're kind ofthinking, why were you both in
(14:01):
the bathroom together?
You're not in the same grade,why are you in this hallway
together?
So we bring him into the office, my principal takes one and
puts him in his office and Itake the other.
And I came in and I've neverbeen scared of a kid before.
But I was like, oh my gosh,this kid isn't making eye
contact, it is just a flataffect.
(14:22):
He looks so angry, he's alittle scary.
And I even remember I textedMark, my principal, and he
didn't respond and I'm like,okay, I guess I'm just flying
solo.
Here we go.
And I took my school psychtraining and I paired it with
being the daughter of a policeofficer and I just started
(14:46):
asking questions.
It was kind of rapid fire andat first he wouldn't say
anything and then finally I gota couple shrugs and then I got
some head nods and then I gotsome one word answers and then
finally, by the end of it wewere having a conversation and
it still wasn't like oh, we'rebest friends now.
But just from that interactionit really evolved.
(15:09):
And I worked so much with thiskiddo, his seventh grade year,
eighth grade year, and he had somany other things going on
outside of school as well.
And that's something that Ifeel like can be forgotten is we
don't always remember what kidscome to school with, what
they're dealing with outside ofthe building and the impact it
(15:29):
can have.
Anyway, so this kid, hestruggled with some behavioral
outbursts.
He was a little apathetic, butI remember he would come out and
help walk around the cafeteriawith me and wanted to do lunch
duty with me, but we were stillstruggling with these behavioral
outbursts.
So we made this great plan andhis plan was always that if
you're starting to get escalated, you come to the office.
(15:53):
So fast forward.
He shows up one morning, walksin the front door, our counselor
tells him good morning and heyells some explicatives at her,
goes like, comes into my officeI was sitting in my office slams
the door so hard the ceilingtiles shake and it's like
snowing and just starts cussingand throwing his stuff throwing
(16:16):
his Chromebook, beating up hisbinder.
Still yelling Didn't ever tryto hurt me.
I never felt like I was indanger, didn't hurt any of my
like personal belongings, wasn'tkicking walls or anything, just
beating the crap out of hisbinder.
Finally he starts to deescalateand he just breaks down and
starts sobbing.
(16:37):
And it was just one of thosemoments where it wasn't perfect
but he did exactly what his planwas and his plan was that he
came in here, we shut the door,he didn't run out into the
building, he wasn't causinghavoc in the hallways, wasn't
yelling at teachers, wasn'tdoing any of that stuff.
So I just felt so proud of himthat I was his safe space and he
(17:01):
did exactly what he wassupposed to do.
Now the kind of funny side of itis watching it back on the
cameras and I mean you could seefrom the second this kiddo got
out of the car.
He was not happy but when thedoor slammed, everyone that was
out in our main office area,they left.
And I remember watching that onthe camera and I'm like hello
(17:24):
guys.
I saw both secretaries get upand walk away and later they
tell me like oh, I was lookingfor the school resource officer,
I was trying to find Mr Johnson, and then the other teacher
that was coming in for apost-observation meeting.
He was like yeah, I knew youwere busy and I probably just
need to come back later.
But I still just laugh becausein that moment they all just
(17:47):
left me.
But that was such a greatlearning experience.
It was a great affirmation ofthis is where I'm supposed to be
and this is.
This is what we're supposed tobe doing with kids, even if it's
one kid impacting them at atime.
Principal JL (18:02):
It was just a very full circle moment for me
similar to that when you buildup those trust with those kids
and they get to know you andthey can come in and they can
just like just break down andthey can really let you in.
And then that's where you canhelp them the most.
That's when you know you'reimpacting, you're like, okay, I
(18:25):
am helping people and it's kindof gives you that reassurance
that the things you've done, therelationship building that you
have done with that child hascome full circle, because now
they feel comfortable enoughwith you to say you know what,
you are my safe space, and youkind of talked about that.
And when we can be other kidssafe spaces, we know we're doing
(18:46):
the job the way we need to doit, cause if kids don't feel
safe with you, they'll never getto that point.
And I talk to kids all the timeLike you could be having a
crappy day.
You come into my office, shutthe door, I let you.
I mean, I was in a military.
You can say whatever you want,ain't gonna, ain't gonna bother
me, cuss it up whatever, do whatyou need.
(19:07):
And then it's like do you feelbetter?
Okay, what's the issue, whatcan we do to solve it?
And then we move on.
But sometimes kids need thatand if you can give them that, I
mean that's, that's a greatthing.
So I was really appreciatedthat that story you gave,
because I'm pretty sure a lot ofus kind of go through or have a
story like that that makes usgo wow.
(19:27):
You know, at first this wasreally challenging, but you know
what, in the end it's rewarding, because it takes time to see
the rewards in this job.
And so, drew, thank you forsharing that.
So, being an assistantprincipal, you know you have
that, you know you're doing itfor four years.
Erin Jones (19:59):
You know what are some other goals.
Do you have as an administratorwhen it comes to you know, you
know.
Do you have like next steps?
Do you aspire to be a headprincipal?
Are you kind?
Principal JL (20:05):
of good where you're at this time.
Erin Jones (20:06):
That's such a tricky question because, not to put
you on the spot, believe thateducational leadership is a
journey and we're constantlylearning, finding another skill
to sharpen, and I just feelreally fortunate to get to learn
from, like Mark, who's myprincipal.
He's just a phenomenal leader,and so getting to watch how he
(20:26):
handles situations, but thenalso leaning more on our
district level administrators,other building principals I just
think that that's so great.
So I mean, one of my biggestthings going forward is just to
continue to build thoserelationships.
This year we're starting theimplementation of Leader in Me,
which is all based off of theseven habits of highly effective
(20:50):
people, and I am so excited toreally dive into that and see
those paradigm shifts, not justwith our students but with our
staff as well, and so that'sreally where I'm focused at.
As far as, like, next steps ineducation, I think that you end
up where you were supposed to be.
So if other opportunities comeup, I guess we'll cross that
(21:11):
bridge when we come to it, but Ilove what I'm doing now.
Principal JL (21:15):
Yeah, I know, like when you're ready to take those
next steps, like for me, youjust, you just know, and it's
one of those things, like for meto go from being the building
principal at Southern Valley toHastings there's just some
things that happened that I waslike it's time to go and it's
time to seek those opportunities.
And when they line up and theywork out the way they do, they
(21:38):
just they just do.
So I would say continue to, towork on your leadership skills
and the things that you're doing.
I know what program you'retalking about.
I believe it's with FranklinCoveney, is that correct?
Yeah, yeah, so with Sam and allthose guys.
So maybe I'll link that intothe show notes and check it out.
I'll do.
I'll do Sam a solid this onetime.
Erin Jones (22:00):
So we actually did this two day like leadership
seminar.
Oh gosh, was that?
It was talk about it.
Principal JL (22:07):
Talk about some things you've done already with
this program.
Erin Jones (22:09):
Yeah, so we did it and it was with all of the
school administrators in KPS andwe spent two days over at
central office and we reallyjust dived into leadership and
we looked at our core values asleaders.
We looked at the district'smission statement and how we can
align that to the things thatwe're doing in our buildings
every day.
(22:30):
And it was just a reallyempowering two days to get to
really look at what drives us aseducators, not just in our
buildings but also at home oraway from the school building
and being I mean so I've got twolittle boys at home and a
husband and just how tointegrate all of the things
(22:51):
together and looking at yourselfas a whole leader.
And it was just.
It was such a great experienceIf any district gets the
opportunity to go through that,that leadership two-day training
with Sam Stecker or whoevercomes out to put it on.
I mean, jump at the opportunitybecause we learned I learned so
(23:13):
much about myself as a, a leader, an educator, a mom, and it was
so cool to get to pick up someof those other tidbits from
other administrators that Iwouldn't necessarily interact
with on a regular basis, so thatwas really cool.
And then we have sentleadership teams to the Leader
(23:33):
in Me symposiums.
We've had people go toCalifornia.
We had a big group go to DesMoines, iowa.
We just sent our team toChicago and so it just, I think,
furthers that point thatCarnegie Public Schools is so
invested in this because we'veseen what the data looks like
(23:54):
from schools that haveimplemented this and we want
that for our kids and for ourcommunity.
So it's just been a greatexperience so far.
I'm so excited to get kids inhere, just officially get this
rolling, you bet.
Principal JL (24:07):
No, it sounds like a great opportunity.
It sounds like KPS is doingsome great things over there,
basically training up theireducational leaders, because I
would say, not every districtmakes the commitment financially
to do that, and so it's reallygreat to hear that other
districts have made thosecommitments and those things
like that to help sharpen theireducational leaders.
(24:28):
Because we all know the leadersin the building, you know, kind
of help set that tone and itall filters down into their
staff and their students, and sothe impact you can make as an
educational leader, as aprincipal, in your building does
impact the classroom, becauseyou're working with teachers,
you're working with kids, you'reworking with parents, you're
(24:49):
working with parties, you'reworking with all the different
aspects every day, on a daily.
To get those things alignedthroughout your district and
have consistency is supervaluable, and I'm really happy
that you guys are doing that.
So, aaron, we're going to kindof shift gears a little bit.
You've recently been named thepresident of the Nebraska State
(25:10):
Association of Secondary Schools, principal for Region 4.
So congratulations on that.
To start off with, what doesthis role mean to you?
What do you feel like?
You know, how is it going toimpact your leadership, and you
know what does it mean to youjust being in this position the
(25:40):
state level and getting to siton that state board is really
cool.
Erin Jones (25:42):
I just had my first official meeting I guess at our
state admin days and that wasreally cool.
To hear about all of theexperiences people have had
throughout the summer and thelegislative advocacy that people
are doing and how many peopleNebraska is sending to
Washington DC to advocate onbehalf of education was just
awesome to hear about and to getto be part of.
(26:03):
And to sit on that board andget to be part of those
conversations is just it'sawesome and it's such a great
experience and you'll get toexperience that soon as our
president-elect.
Principal JL (26:15):
Yeah, I kind of keep it on the down low.
But yeah, I am thepresident-elect of Region 4.
You know it's going to be a lotof fun.
We're going to work together toreally make that region.
In my opinion, we got to makethe region the best region in
the state of Nebraska.
At the same time, what do youhope to accomplish in this role
as president of the Region 4?
Erin Jones (26:35):
I really want to increase the participation from
our region.
We have some larger schooldistricts that we just haven't
been able to really pull intothe group meetings and find
value in those, and I have justfound so, like you said, I'm
starting year four I had a greatconversation last year oh about
it was second semester with ourhuman resources director and
(26:59):
she just said something thatstuck with me and it was like
the teachers will always pickteachers and so administrators
really need to learn to lean onadministrators and we don't have
to be siloed and so to reallyjust invest in that time with
getting to share and collaborateand learn from one another, and
(27:21):
I just I have found that to besuch great advice and that's
what I hope to bring to Region 4.
I hope that we can reallycommunicate with other schools,
with other leaders that mightnot be participating yet, that
this is an opportunity for youto get to collaborate with other
leaders from other districts.
Even if you're in a largerdistrict like Grand Island, like
(27:43):
Hastings, like Kearney, there'sstill valuable information to
be found by being part of theseregional organizations.
So I really just hope that wecan increase those membership
people and hopefully increasethe amount of scholarships we
can give away and just continueto to grow our network.
Principal JL (28:03):
You bet I mean for me I'm going in my eighth year
as a principal.
I've always been in region fourbecause of when I was at
Southern Valley, that was theregion, but it took me a few
years to come around, to go onthe medians, to be honest, cause
when you feel like entering asmall rural school setting, you
feel like you can't leave,especially when I knew if I go
anywhere, things are going tofall apart.
(28:24):
But then, to be honest, that'swhere, that's where you're at
and some of those things.
I know what that feeling waslike.
Oh, I'd really like to go, butyou know, if I go, then who's
going to do this?
If something happens and youplay these what if?
Games, it came to the point towhere I had to go.
You know what I have to make acommitment to go into these
(28:48):
region meetings.
I learned that I can't, youknow, sit in my position and not
network, and I think that'swhat one of the reasons why I
started going to the region fourmeetings and then I started
hearing all the stories fromeverybody like wow, that's.
You know, that's really goodinformation.
I started learning from otherpeople and I kept going to
region meetings and things likethat, and so that's really kind
(29:08):
of what inspired this podcast islearning from other educators
and other principals.
I want to learn from otherpeople.
But yeah, we all have storieswe can tell people.
But yeah, we all have storieswe can tell and I would like to
share that out for people thatare in those smaller districts,
or even in the larger districts,to where they have some sort of
resource or professionaldevelopment that they can go to
(29:31):
to learn about something orlearn from someone that they may
be able to take back to theirdistrict and maybe implement.
But for me, I had to get systemscreated.
So when I was gone out of mybuilding, everybody understood
the processes and once I gotthose things down, I felt more
comfortable with leaving.
Now, at Hastings High, I leavethe building off and on and I
(29:54):
know that my assistantprincipals are going to take
care of things, because I dohave to go to district meetings.
I do have to go to not justregion four meetings, I go to
conference meetings as well, andso there's a lot of different
meetings that I will do outsideof the building.
I even do family team meetings.
I'll do one tomorrow night.
Honestly, so I'll do a lot ofdifferent things to where I need
(30:16):
to be at.
But, at the same time, if youdon't have systems in place, it
does make it harder for you towant to leave.
But you guys, once you get thosethings in place and you start
networking, it's a great thingto do, and we do not want to
silos ourselves like you justtalked about.
We want to be able to networkand connect with people on that
end.
So, hey, I'm going to wish youwell.
I'm going to be here supportingyou for the next few years.
(30:38):
On that end, you know, I thinkwe'll make a great team.
I'm really excited about what'sahead for Region 4 and your
leadership and just workingtogether as we move forward, you
know, the next couple of yearstogether.
So, with that said, what issomething that you can give?
What advice could you give topeople that are aspiring to
(31:00):
become a principal, assistantprincipal?
You know that they could takewith them what's something that
you've learned that you can use,some wisdom that you've learned
?
Erin Jones (31:11):
so this is such a it's such a multi-layered
question, I guess, like for andwe've kind of already talked
about this a little bit but whenit is the right opportunity,
when it's the right move, likeit will happen and it will
happen.
I always think that you end upwhere you're supposed to be and
(31:33):
not to be afraid to have to stepoutside of what's comfortable.
So if I I firmly believe, likeif I would not have gone to
Grand Island Public Schools, Iwould not be in the position I
am in now, because I got greatexperiences where I was, but I
knew that I needed more.
I knew I needed more in alarger school district.
I knew that I wanted moreknowledge in order to be a
(31:53):
better leader.
And being able to be okay withstepping outside of that comfort
zone is really what I think canpropel people forward.
And to not sell yourself shortor be too afraid of making those
changes and that would probablybe my biggest piece of advice
and not to give up, because Imean you are already talking
(32:15):
about like you were told no, howmany times?
I was told no, how many times,and so you get that yes.
So if it's something thatyou're really passionate about
just really to find, like, whatyour core values are, what your
mission is.
Why are you stepping up?
Why do you want to do this?
So no and I know that sounds socorny, but no, you're why, and
just not give up if it'ssomething that you're super
(32:38):
passionate about.
Principal JL (32:40):
Yeah, no, you hit a lot of great points there,
erin.
You know understanding who youare as a leader, because when
you go in these interviews, youhave to do the job to where, hey
, I want you to see me in theseat.
You have to sell yourself in away, to where that you can help
(33:01):
them envision you doing the joband what experiences you have.
How can you take thoseexperiences and say, from this
experience, this is how I'dhandle this situation, cause you
and I don't know they give youa crap load of scenarios, how
would you handle this and howwould you handle this.
They want you to triage, theywant you to do these things, and
so, with these scenarios, youjust got to rely on the
(33:23):
information that, theexperiences you have, and you
have to be able to show them Ican do the job because I had
this experience.
This is how I handle it and I'dhandle it in a similar way, and
you have to show them that theycan see you in that seat.
And so those are all greatinformation and you know,
knowing your purpose and thosethings are all important as well
(33:44):
.
You know, when it comes toaspiring leaders and coming down
the road, coming up.
We're getting ready to startthe new year.
What has you excited?
What is like the thing that gotyou excited for the 25-26
school year?
Erin Jones (33:59):
I am so excited about Leader in Me and I know
that I've already talked aboutit a couple of times, but we got
to go listen to Mrs Kloneskifrom Wood River.
She presented at Admin Daysabout Leader in Me and how
that's really impacted herbuilding.
And then just the more I learnabout Leader in Me and what it's
done for some of these schooldistricts, the more excited I
(34:22):
get about it.
I just think that it's such apowerful tool and once we get
everybody on the same page withthat, we have such a phenomenal
leadership team and from theget-go I mean they committed
three years to being on thisleadership team and said like
all right, we're in it, we'regoing to do it.
We've got teachers from acrossthe board on this team.
(34:43):
We've got eighth graderepresented, seventh grade, sped
, sixth I mean it's justeverybody and they are the ones
that are really leading thischarge with the other teachers.
So they'll get that training onnext Wednesday and I'm just so
excited to see how it impactsour students.
Principal JL (35:02):
And you know what we're going to probably talk
about it because we're going tobe connecting quite a bit, and
so I'm really going to beinterested the leader, me
training, just the journeyyou're going on and how it's
helping you become an educator,and maybe down the road we could
have you come back and talkabout the experiences and how
it's helped you grow as a leader, if that's something you're up
(35:24):
for.
Erin Jones (35:25):
Heck, yes.
Principal JL (35:26):
All right, well, erin, this has been a great
conversation.
I really appreciate having youon the show today.
If people would like to reachout to and learn more about what
you do at Sunrise and maybe theLeader in Me program that
you're being involved with atKPS, how could they do that?
Erin Jones (35:45):
So you, the easiest and best way to reach me is
through email, so it's justE-R-I-J-O-N-E-S at
kearneycatscom, and I probablycheck my email too much, but
that's the best way.
You can also follow us on theSunrise Middle School Facebook
page.
We post a lot of the fun thingsthat our kids are doing, that
(36:07):
our staff are doing, and it'sjust a really fun landing page
for all things Sunrise.
Principal JL (36:14):
Awesome, and so what I'll do is I'll take that
information, I'll link it downin the show notes so people can
easily find you and connect withyou to learn more about some of
the great things that arehappening at Sunrise as well.
Aaron, it was great having youon the show.
Have a great night.
What a great conversation withAaron Jones.
It was fun to learn from herinsights and the great things
(36:37):
that are going on in hereducational leadership journey.
If this episode resonates withyou, please share it with
someone who needs to hear it.
Thank you for tuning in andremember to be curious and 1%
better each day.
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