The start of a new school year always brings a plethora of feelings…excitement, nervousness, anxiety, joy…the idea that everyone has an opportunity to start over; a fresh start! This is certainly no different for me as I begin my adventure this year as the Middle School Assistant Principal at Seoul Foreign School in Seoul, South Korea. Although I have had similar roles in both primary and secondary schools, this will be the first time with a sole focus on middle school and I couldn’t be more excited! There’s a certain buzz that comes with being around middle school students, teachers, and parents that is unique and can’t be found anywhere else. Just like being an early childhood teacher, it’s something special and takes a certain characteristic to spend your days with 250 adolescents. The picture above, showing the seven doors, is a great example of what I’m hoping to learn and achieve throughout the year. Weaving in and out, opening and closing different doors, as different challenges and successes come and go. Each of these different experiences will help me to grow and achieve both personally and professionally.

One of the biggest goals in the Seoul Foreign Middle School is to create a safe learning environment for students to explore, create, grow, and flourish. We do this through balancing strong academic achievement with continual emotional, social, and spiritual support. This is especially important for middle school students as they navigate their changing emotions and bodies and move through adolescence into adulthood.

Here are my personal/professional goals for the year…all focused on supporting others:

What goals have you set for yourself this school year?