Women Leaders in Education

Transcript: 

HF : Thank you for joining me today!

HF : What inspired you to go into education?

DBA : I always enjoyed helping people and explaining things to them and making presentations. Both of my parents are educators and they encouraged my sister to do anything but teach. So I started out as a computer programmer and became a middle manager in a telecommunications company. But I continued to tutor in math and I also taught at a business school at night. Eventually I said I was going to follow my heart.

HF : What were some challenges you faced to become an educator?

DBA : I guess trying to decide whether I was going to teach at a public school or a private school environment. Both of my parents were dedicated public school educators and rationalizing for them why teaching at an independent school was the way to go. I also decided to go back to school. I was working on my doctorate part-time while I was working full-time and I was raising a family with my husband. That was probably the most challenging time while I was in school and raising a family and also learning to teach.

HF : What were your favorites parts about your journey to become an educator?

DBA : I never looked back. Once I decided to leave corporate America and take a substantial pay cut, I felt that my quality of life was so much better. There was no way the money could have made up for the fact that I was doing something that filled my soul and gave me joy.

HF : What is your favorite part of leading an all-girls school? How is NCS different from your experiences at previous schools?

DBA : I am a product of an all-girls school, so it is sort of like coming home to me. (I went to an all-girls school.) I do like the sense of community. I love that my students are out-spoken, confident, creative, and they have unlimited energy. They do not hold back; when they have an opinion or see something that needs to be corrected, they do not hesitate to let the adults in the community to know. And how is it different from a co-ed environment? I was an administrator at two co-ed schools. I really feel that girls at NCS have a greater sense of confidence, independence, and self-advocacy than a co-ed environment.

HF : That's very interesting. That's really interesting since I have been at NCS since fourth grade so I do not remember my co-ed environment from before that.

DBA :  So it's all you know.

HF : Yup, it's all I know. 

HF : What are some recommendations you have for NCS girls to stay positive and motivated during online school?

DBA : One is to think of this as an adventure. You really have to change your mindset. Stop comparing it to the way school was this time last year.

Don't focus so much on what we are missing, think about the things we are creating. Also think about the positive changes that have happened because we had to change the way we live, work, and do school. For me, its more family time, more time for walks, my husband during the pandemics watches sports less so he and I watch more shows together. We can certainly think about the positives. Focus on the positives!

HF : I actually enjoy online school a lot. Yes, learning at home is a lot harder but I have more time since I am not on the road all the time. I definitely have more time to spend with my family and more time for myself. Seeing the way my life has been altered has really changed my perspectives on growing up.

HF : Since we are online, it is harder to make an impact on people. However, what ways have you empowered and impacted young girls at your school?

DBA : I hope as a school leader, I hope that they feel that my door is open, even though it is a virtual door. I believe in providing a space for them to share their opinions and insights such as our Quaker-style meetings. This demonstrates that I believe in hearing from young people and I believe that young folks are our future leaders and this is where they practice their leadership. 

HF : What are some characteristics you believe are necessary to be a successful leader?

DBA : You have to be empathetic and you have to have a thick skin. You have to be willing to take risks. You have to be a strong communicator. Finally, you have to be flexible.

HF : When was a time you had to employ these characteristics to achieve your dream?

DBA : Everyday! I have to employ those characteristics every day.

HF : What is some advice you would give your students based on lessons you learned when you were in the fourth-twelfth grades?

DBA : To laugh, to have fun. Don't take friendships for granted. Don't get caught up with the boys because it's just drama. Ten years from now the grades you earned in high school don't mean anything.

HF : Who was your biggest role model growing up?

DBA : Definitely my mother. 

HF : What characteristics of hers did you look up to?

DBA : My mother was a teacher and she also had muscular dystrophy. She did not let her disability stop her form achieving her goals. She was a great business women. She was a great storyteller, had a great sense of humor. She loved her family. She also put family first. Even though she was a teacher she has a business sense. She purchased real-estate and managed rental properties. 

HF : If you could do it all over again, what would you change?

DBA : I would get a degree in educational psychology. I would do a degree in education administration and I would definitely have added a psych degree in there.

HF: I actually have never heard of educational psychology. 

DBA : Yup, that's what I would do. That would allow you to be a school counselor or to do psycho-educational testing.

HF : That's so interesting!

DBA : I know, and I love stats!

HF : Do you see yourself as a visionary?

DBA : Yeah, these days since I am so focused on trying to open school and have more of a tactical perspective, I don't feel like a visionary. Usually I am trying to figure out what is gonna happen next; how can we be creative? 

HF : Do you see yourself as a feminist?

DBA : How do you define feminist?

HF : The way I see it is that women and men should be treated equally no matter what setting. There should be any gender roles nor biases towards any gender.

DBA : Yep, then I would say I am a feminist. That said, I like it when my husband holds the door for me.

HF : In your work, do you try to change patriarchal views in society?

DBA : I think the very nature of the fact that we are in an all-girls school and we have an administrative team that's predominately female, we demonstrate that women are capable leaders and visionaries. I wouldn't say that I am actively trying to fight the patriarchy, but I do think we created a schools system and community that promotes women in leadership and promotes the value of women's thoughts in a decision making process. 

HF : Thank you!

DBA : Thanks sweetie!