The Puzzle: Blog

Senior Consultant and International Practice Leader, Karen Neitzel, had the privilege of re-connecting with Assistant Head of School, Becky Jobes, over Zoom in late March.  Becky is in her first year as the Assistant Head of School at Frankfurt International School. That search was led by Karen Neitzel, Deb Welch and Madeleine Maceda Heide.  She reflects on her path to leadership and how she encourages growth for teachers in her own leadership style.

Can you describe how your career in education began?

I am one of those people for whom it began before I even knew I would be a teacher. I have 10 siblings and was often informally in a teacher role with my siblings, while growing up. My first actual teaching job was with 4-year-olds, where I got to create their learning environment. Even though I loved that experience, I ended up majoring in Business and Psychology in college. Once I saw a flyer for an Early Childhood Education Master’s program, I immediately jumped in and have been in education ever since.

What prompted your interest in leadership?

Opportunity. I was a learning support teacher at a charter school in the US and we were growing rapidly and needed more leaders. The director asked me to step in, this gave me access across the school to learn and support, and I found I loved the big picture part of school leadership. I have been lucky to work closely with students in all of my roles, I like staying connected to the students and the whole ecology of a school that you get to have access to as a leader.

Who supported or encouraged your interest in leadership?

My first boss when I became principal was the person who gave me my first leg-up, but I have had many people along the way who have mentored, sponsored, or who have encouraged me to try new things and to go other places. There have also been teachers who have been incredibly supportive of my journey. I have stayed in touch with teachers from each school I’ve worked in, and I have supported them in their growth and they have supported me, in mine. It is nice to have people who have seen you in all of the versions of “you” that have been part of your leadership journey.

How did you find leadership opportunities or positions?

A lot of them have been found through networks. Some of those networks are people and some are through organizations that I have been connected to. Part of being a member of this international school network, I have used that network to learn more about each school and to see if I might be a fit for them, and if they would be a fit for me.  It has to go both ways

What are some examples of your flexibility and adaptability?

Transitioning between countries, you are reminded about the power of community and how important those connections are in helping you adapt. Being open-minded is really important, as is being comfortable being uncomfortable–this helps with flexibility.  I was at two different schools during COVID, which meant I transitioned my family between countries with closed borders during the pandemic; that required patience and flexibility. As a parent, who became a single parent in the last 10 years, knowing what I can do and cannot do requires more than just flexibility and adaptability, it also requires recognition of my own limitations and grace for me and others when things don’t go as planned.

Sometimes you have to leave a school to advance, do you have experience with this idea?

Yes, I do have experience with this. I have been internally promoted in two different roles and then for the others, I did move schools. Sometimes you have to make a move to get the opportunity that you want to have.  In all of my positions I have had the opportunity to stretch myself in many different roles. Sometimes I have also supported teachers who wanted a new opportunity and guided them to make the move to give themselves that leadership growth.

What is one thing you have learned about yourself since you accepted a leadership role?

I have learned that I am never going to be done learning.  Leadership is a daily opportunity for growth!  When I look back at my first leadership position, I see what I might have done differently and I work hard to ensure that I do better, now.

How do you rest and recharge?

Disconnecting from my device, when I can. As a whole school leader, it is not often. Making sure that I am staying active and really engaging with my kids, being a mom. It is so defining to be a school leader, that it is so important to take time for yourself and nurture those parts of you that are not ONLY about work. That said, the work is so energizing in so many ways that opportunities through work or with my community are also ways that I recharge.  I went to a school play last night, and it was so enjoyable.  It works for me, so much of what I do with work also energizes me.

Do you have a motto, quote, or saying that you try to live and lead by?

“When you know better, you do better,” Maya Angelou.  This reflects some of what I shared in the question about flexibility and adaptability.  As a leader, I have daily opportunities to learn more and to raise the bar, whether that relates to academic excellence or community well-being or anything else in my scope of responsibility.  It isn’t about being best; it is about constantly learning, growing, and elevating my practice and those around me.

What advice would you like to share with aspiring leaders?

Even when you know what you think you want to gain, and find a path that might get you there, be open to how that path might change and you might get something else out of your process or journey.  Leadership is inherently full of surprises, and you need to be open to the twists, turns, and learnings that come with those surprises. School leadership roles can be viewed as difficult positions, but I think there is so much beauty in being a school leader. It is not for the faint of heart, sometimes it is hard, but the work is so worth it.

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