Interview with Mrs.

Joni Byus, Dean of grades 3-4 and intervention, Stambaugh Charter Academy,
National Heritage Academies

1. How did you first get involved in leadership?

I first became involved in leadership at my current employer by being a liaison between the
teachers and administration the first year we were open. The teachers were able to express
opinions and have a voice without feeling intimidated. After this, I was a building mentor for 23
employees with 3 years or less experience teaching. I then developed a new title one program for
our school that addressed the needs of every student in the building. Then, I became
administration as a dean.

2. What is your personal philosophy and/or definition of leadership?

Leadership is being willing to take on those jobs that need done, but may not necessarily be what
you would choose.
It also involves putting the work into gaining necessary skills to do the job, and allowing others to
use their gifts or the "tools" in their toolboxes.

3. Who is your leadership role-model/mentor? Why?

My role models were my uncle and father. They both exhibit strong work ethics, and a leadership
style that draws people to themselves. The goal is always more important than the individual.

4. What are some resources that every leader should know about?
* John Maxwell
* CTC- mentor training
* Ruby Paine

5. What are the outstanding skills or abilities of effective leaders you have known?

* Have the ultimate goal in mind

* Bring people together in a way that compromise doesn't feel like a bad thing
* Come prepared
* Have a point of view that can be expressed and is well thought out

6. Have you observed differences in the way men and women lead?

The differences between how anyone leads has more to do with their self-awareness. You have to set a
vision and people have to want to follow you.

7. What are the major reasons leaders fail in positions like yours?

Reasons people fail:

* not willing to make adjustments in how they view things to achieve the ultimate goal
* see the position as if they "have arrived" instead of that their responsibility is greater
* don't develop the new skills/tools needed for the new position. Assume the new position is the same
skills as the old position.
8. If you had to train someone to replace you in your current job, what key abilities do you search for?

* follow-through
* attention to detail
* can set deadlines and meet them - for their own self and others
* not be timid about hard conversations, but handle them with finesse. You always want a win-win.

9. What have been your biggest leadership challenges and celebrations?

Challenges:
* employees who are not self-aware. Often their style is not a fit for an urban setting. They are
unequipped to handle students whose families are not available for support. They want every situation to
be one size fits all.
Celebrations:
* the intentionality of what we are doing has allowed us to see continued improvement and success by our
students

10. What are some words of advice that you would give to a new leader?

Be yourself - what you bring to the table is what makes you the person they hired. Don't expect to get
everything right the first time, but learn something from each experience.

11. What do you see as the differences between being an administrator in a charter school versus a public
school?

Charter school administrators (at least in my experience) are a lot more hands-on. I am involved in many
of the day-to-day goings-on in the classroom and frequently model lessons for teachers in their classroom.
This can vary based on the level of expertise of the teacher. We seem to have more state hoops to jump
through.
Public school administrators seem to have their hands tied for some changes they want to make. This
varies somewhat based on their leadership, boards, and sometimes employee unions.

12. Is there a difference in leading a school in a low income area versus in a more affluent area? Explain.

There are definitely some similarities with being an administrator no matter where you are. There are
definitely some differences also. In an urban environment, you often need to ensure the student's basic
needs are being met before you can think about academic or behavioral needs. Urban students often
come further behind due to not receiving any pre-school academic experiences.

13. What is the most important over all message to communicate to families?

The most important message is that we are a team. We are all working toward the goal of empowering
the student yo be successful.

14. How do you balance work and family life?

I don't balance work and family life very well. I prioritize what the non-negotiable are and work from
there.

15. Does being a mother and grandmother help or hinder your ability to be a school administrator?

I believe being a mother and grandmother helps me as an administrator. I know how I want my opinions
to matter with my family. I try to afford the same respect that I want to the parents/families of the
students.