Highlighting an OAESA Hero

principaling in a PANDEMIC

a conversation with OAESA Federal Relations Representative, KATIE NOWAK

Tell us about your background and current position.

As a leader, I’m honored to serve our community of students, staff, and families, in supporting the academic, social-emotional, and developmental needs of our students. Now more than ever, in the midst of a global pandemic, I believe our purpose is to love, serve, and care for our students and each other, to meet the needs of the whole child. I believe our calling as educators is to make a positive impact on the lives of others, and to build a positive collaborative school community that puts students first.

This is my 17th year in education, with my journey starting as an 8th grade science teacher, and shortly after teaching 6th grade. I have served as a Middle School Assistant Principal, and now an Intermediate Principal in two different districts. I spent 12 years in South-Western City schools as a teacher and an administrator working in both urban and suburban settings. For the past five years I have served as the proud principal at New Albany Intermediate School in the New Albany-Plain Local School District, located north-east of Columbus. Our building serves over 1100 students in Grades 4-6. New Albany Intermediate has been recognized by the Ohio Department of Education the past several years with the Momentum Award for Student Growth and Overall A Award for performance on the State Report Card.

What is the culture/climate like in your school?

I would describe our culture as positive, caring, and collaborative. Our school utilizes the PBIS Framework of Eagles RISE (Respect, Integrity, Safety, and Empathy) as well as The R Factor. The R Factor is a culture and decision-making framework used by staff and students to successfully navigate school and life experiences. One of the premises of the R Factor is E +R=O, Events + Responses= Outcomes. We teach students that they own their responses to events, and this can impact their outcome.

We also like to celebrate both staff and students. One way we celebrate is with our Eagles RISE Wall of Fame, where students get a positive phone call home, sign a wall, ring a bell, and get recognized on morning announcements. We like to thank our staff and celebrate them with fun surprises such as a Woot Woot Wagon of treats delivered to their door or handwritten notes of our appreciation.

What do you view as your most important contribution to the day-to-day operations of your school?

Being visible, accessible, and present to love, serve, and care for staff, students and families.

Caring, Committed, Positive. I believe they would say these three words, because I believe in being relentless in support for students and staff, and we celebrate our students, staff, and successes along the way.

Congratulations on serving on the OAESA Board as our Federal Relations Rep. How long have you been on the board? Why did you join?

I joined the OAESA Board in 2017, after being awarded the 2016 Ohio NAESP National Distinguished Principal Middle Level Award. I wanted to give back to an organization that supported me in my Professional Growth, as well as support my colleagues from across the state in the important work we do each and everyday for Ohio’s schoolchildren. I have served as the OAESA Zone 10 Director for Central Ohio from 2017-2019 and in October of 2019 transitioned into the role of Federal Relations Coordinator and OAESA Executive Board Member.

This issue focuses on how inequities in education have been revealed as a result of COVID-19 and the racial justice movement of 2020. What inequities have been revealed in your school community? How are you, your staff, and your leadership team working to rectify such issues?

We have been working across our campus to address inequities revealed during the Covid-19 school closure through partnering with the New Albany Food Pantry and Neighborhood Bridges, as well as our district resources to meet the needs of students and families. We surveyed our families, reached out through personal phone calls, had on-going conversations, and adjusted and adapted our practices to ensure we are meeting the needs of both our on campus learners and students in our virtual learning program.

This year, we formed Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committees in each building as well as a district wide committee. The purpose of these committees is to work on continuous improvement for resources, services, curriculum, mentorships, events, and more to acknowledge and respect the diversity of the culture and history of our families and communities. The DEI Committees also seek to identify intentional opportunities to increase the celebration of diverse and inclusive culture within our schools and community. Finally, the committees are seeking parent and student feedback regarding school climate and culture holistically to ensure that voice is present to drive our continuous improvement planning.

In my building, our DEI Committee consists of 10 parents and 9 staff members. We have made a commitment to build more diverse and inclusive classroom libraries so that all students can view themselves in the books they read. Building a more diverse classroom library allows students to see characters and themes that reflect their identities and experiences, as well as have the opportunity to to learn about the lives, customs, and beliefs of others.

What are some challenges and some silver linings of the societal changes that we have encountered in 2020, specifically when it comes to education and students?

I believe the Covid Closures of schools in the spring showed the resilience of educators to adjust and adapt, quickly learn and implement new technologies, and showed their spirit of perseverance to do whatever it takes to support students. There has also been a renewed focus on the whole child and meeting not only the academic needs, but also the social emotional well being of our students. One of the silver linings has been the ability to think more outside of the box in terms of staffing, instruction, assessment, and technology to best meet student needs.

Could you share any advice or words of wisdom for those who might be considering an administrative role? Why should they make this professional leap?

Every school deserves a caring educational leader who will be a champion for kids. You have the opportunity to have a greater impact on a school and community in becoming an administrator. Becoming involved in OAESA as an aspiring administrator is a great way to make connections and grow as an education leader through professional development.

Highlighting an OAESA Hero!

THE BASICS

FAMILY MEMBERS?

My husband, Brent, is also an educator, and we have two children, Matthew (10), and Mason (6).

PETS?

Jack, a golden retriever puppy

YEARS IN THE CLASSROOM? YEARS AS AN ADMINISTRATOR?

Seven years in the classroom. 10 years as an administrator.

EMERGENCY DESK FOOD?

Diet Dr. Pepper and Peanut M&M’s

FAVORITE MEMORY OF BEING IN THE CLASSROOM?

Hands-on science excitement

PERSONAL MANTRA?

Love, serve, care

BEST DECISION?

Becoming a principal

FAVORITE HOBBY?

Reading #LeadersAreReaders

UP NEXT ON YOUR BUCKET LIST?

Traveling anywhere after this pandemic!

WHAT WERE YOU LIKE AS A STUDENT?

Hardworking, curious, and goal-oriented

FAVORITE OAESA EVENT? Professional Conference