Hello, have you ever wondered what is it like to be a principal? Well today is you lucky day, I have interviewed Dr.Kletenik and had a question answer session with her. If you would like to know a little bit more about your amazing principal, take a look at this post.
1) In terms of COVID, how is it being a principal?
To be honest with you, it’s been really hard. Because being a principal is hard, but most of the stuff that I usually do that´s hard like I was ready for , I went to school to learn about it or I go to like conferences and learn about it or i have experiences with it so i learn from my mistakes. But when it came to COVID, all the stuff that was hard, none of it was stuff that i knew how to deal with so I don´t know anything .about infectious diseases, and I don´t know anything about germs spread. And Doctor´s, they know about what all of this stuff is about, you see I know about Education, children and stuff like that. And this is totally new, and I am very uncomfortable about it.
2) Do you ever feel pressured with students’ behaviors?
Honesty, no. I think usually when students misbehave that there is something that they need help with. And I think children appreciate it when they realize it when they are not doing the best, and I expect it to happen and I try to help them grow.
3) Do you ever come mid-summer to prepare for the next year?
Every summer. We write the schedule, books, and classrooms. August is the hardest month, and from January on I really start to plan, and I always have an eye on my plans.
4) Is it hard to be flexible on all of the plans for the school?
For me it is hard, because parents email and I have to answer, even when I don’t know how to.
5) What made you decide that you wanted to be a principal?
I never decided but I always knew that I wanted to be a teacher since I was a kid. I also teach now too. Coming out of wanting to be a teacher.
6) What is a normal day like for you?
There is no such thing as the same type of day every day. I always have an idea about what i am going to do the next day, but i do different things every day, and i have to be ready for that.
7) How do you decide on names for teams?
Parents and other people do ,I don’t. Everyone has a say. Even for a big decision we would do it together.
9) When did you start working here and was it hard in the beginning?
I started working here 10 years ago, it was very scary. I was thinking second thoughts. Then I started meeting the teachers, and then all of the kids came. I realized that it would be fine. When you start a new job, it is always scary. A new environment.
10) What is your favorite part of the job?
Parts that involve being with the students. I also never stop, and I like working with people. My favorite day of the year is the first day of the year because it is very quiet here during the summer.
11) On an average day do you meet with a lot of teachers?
Everyday, I love helping teachers grow, and inspire them.
12) On snow days, how do you make the decisions?
I come with Rabbi Menchel and we see that the three biggest communities Queens,Great Neck and West hempstead, if 2 out of the three of the major districts cancel busing, then we shut down school.
13) What time do you wake up to go to school?
Five am, Sometimes I go to the gym, go swimming, daf yomi, and sometimes I do my work.
14) How many meetings do you have a day?
Tons. I can’t even count. That is why I like being a principal because there are so many different things, it doesn’t get boring, and it is very interesting.
