I am sure I do not have to tell you how much the role of a high school administrator has changed over the last five, 10, etc. years. If your degree program in administration was anything like mine, it’s also highly likely you didn’t receive much training on how to handle the myriad of situations you may find yourself dealing with today – anxiety-related issues, trauma, LGBTQ topics, conflict resolution, and the list goes on! If I had a silver bullet to give you the perfect solutions for all of these issues, I would be rich. However, I do have a few suggestions to help with navigating some of the topics that you may find beneficial.

Create a Zen Den

In my school, we have seen a huge increase in the amount of students dealing with anxiety and stress-related issues. One way we have responded to this is to create a Zen Den – a quiet zone that provides students a safe space away from the noise and intensity of our cafeteria during lunches. Through a partnership with our local Community Coalition and led by our school’s chapter of Students Leading Students, we have been able to supply the room with soft, comfortable seating areas, mood lighting, sound machines, yoga mats, and other resources  that help students in need of calming. This year, we are also offering programming in Mindfulness training for both our staff and students. 

Restorative Practices

Restorative Practices is certainly one of the biggest buzzwords out there right now, but I cannot emphasize enough how this is one buzzword program worth implementing today! Restorative practices has been a game changer for me in my approach to creating relationships with students and responding to conflict. Beyond my own dealings with students, staff, and parents in my current role, the positive impact I have seen restorative practices have on classroom environments has been tremendous! Restorative Practices is not about discipline, but about creating positive, safe, and supportive communities through strong relationships. I have become a trainer for all levels of Restorative Practices and have conducted multiple trainings for staff throughout my district with very positive results. If you have not been trained – Get trained!!! The International Institute for Restorative Practices website offers a great overview about Restorative Practices. I also highly recommend the following books for you to learn more about Restorative Practices or for use with staff:

LGBTQ Students

Meeting the needs of LGBTQ students is another area that we, as school administrators, have an important responsibility to fulfill. In our role as a school leader, we must ensure a safe, inclusive, and welcoming school environment for all students we serve. How can you especially make sure to help your LGBTQ students?

1. Know the Lingo – Cisgender, demiromantic and nonbinary? There are a myriad of terms related to gender, identity, and sexual orientation out there today that go beyond the LGBTQ acronym. To properly support your students, it is important that you know and understand these terms. You can find a glossary of terms here: PFLAG National Glossary of Terms

2. GLSEN Safe Space Kit – The GLSEN Safe Space Kit is an awesome resource for any educator. The kit provides Guide to Being an Ally to LGBTQ Students that includes strategies, materials, and resources to help you create a safe space in your school for LGBTQ students.

3. Michigan State Board of Education Guidance – Familiarize yourself with the Michigan SBE School Guidance on providing “Safe and Supportive Learning Environments for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Students.” This guiding document provides practical suggestions on ways to create an inclusive school environment for this population.

4. Other – Hold book studies, sponsor student clubs & organizations, or be an advocate. At my school two student groups – Gay, Straight Alliance and Social Justice Club. To better understand transgender youth, our staff did a book study on Becoming Nicole: The Extraordinary Transformation of an Ordinary Family by Amy Ellis Nutt. We then invited a transgender student to one of our book discussions to share their experiences.

The role of an assistant principal has changed over the years. Providing social-emotional support to our students is becoming a responsibility that is at the forefront of what we do every day. I hope the resources and ideas provided may help you towards your continued efforts towards meeting the needs of students in your school.

Written by Sophia Lafayette, Assistant Principal at Walled Lake Northern High School