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Assistant Principal Interview Reflection

Najiyah Bello

Department of Education; Loyola University Chicago

TLSC 380-03E | Sequence 8

Anna Troup

March 24, 2023

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For this interviewing process, I had the pleasure of chatting with our assistant principal

Dr. Rhodes. Dr. Rhodes has an unique journey that led him to become the AP at South Loop

Elementary. leaning down the path of being an AP wasn’t Dr.Rhodes initial career path, he began

working in the Englewood area as a teacher and coach for students. Through these experiences,

he came to the realization that he had a bigger drive to become a stronger and better leader. He

loved and still loves to teach kids, but he knew that his skills were too great to be settled in a

classroom. When he encountered administrative-like roles, he loved it. He loved being able to

lead and be the mediator for situations that involved having a greater role in talking to parents

and other adults in schools. He felt his impact in his words and professionalism, as a coach,

would be successful in having a bigger part in a school climate.

Being in this role has the best and worst times. He explains how it can be difficult to have

a big macroview of the school. Being on the front end, there is little to no time frame for

mistakes to happen because he is essentially the face of the school. When there is an issue to

when there isn’t an issue, he knows he has to be at the front end of it all to either preserve the

good and prevent the bad from becoming worse. One of the biggest differences he comments on

when switching into an admin role, is the more risk he has to take than when he did as teaching.

Each step of his footing and each sentence from his words has to be carefully articulated and

professional in hopes to not cause any misconceptions. More so, having to have difficult

conversations with parents and staff. He knows that there is a line of professionalism and respect

that all of his staff needs to have for him, but also him for them. He remarks that it can be

challenging to know that there are ever changing rules and does not want any of his staff to feel

less than, when bringing the changes to them. He never wants for policies to mishandle the

familial community that SLES builds.

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It is clear in this interview that Dr. Rhodes holds high value of respect, showing tender

care, and having a positive and influential attitude every day. These are what makes the job so

rewarding. He loves seeing the growth in students, teachers, connections, parents, everyone that

makes up the South Loop Pride moto. He uses the word “flourishing” as a description of what is

the most rewarding part. He loves to see students grow in their academics and maturity. He loves

to see parents grow an everlasting love for the South Loop community. He loves to see his staff

grow as better teachers and directors when walking through the halls. Most importantly, he

enjoys building connections with every human that crosses the South Loop pride threshold. All

of these attributes help him engage in multiple communications throughout the day, pushing him

to further his skills and bettering himself as an administration.

These are what sets South Loop apart from other schools. I personally see it from my

little time being here, so it’s amazing to hear what I view in Dr. Rhodes' voice when he speaks on

the school's climate. In his view, the level of collaboration and personal experience each teacher

and staff has in this school sets them apart from others. I agree. The absolute drive all teachers in

this building has in wanting to better themselves as teachers, better their co-workers as teachers,

and better the kids they meet as their students each year is a special influence I had never seen

before. Each class, unique in all ways, somehow collaboratively builds prosperous young

learners every day. They do not let the class sizes or any other burdens or potential setbacks get

in the way of each child having an equal and equitable learning environment.

This is the kind of positive attitude Dr. Rhodes looks for when interviewing for new

teacher candidates. I quote him when he says that future teachers at South Loop Elementary need

to have “level of excitement, zest, and a efficacious personality” when thinking about becoming

a part of this small, but big hearted-loving community. The doors at South Loop are never too
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crowded to accept more, but if you are going to be in this family, the South Loop pride is a zesty

type of love for school, each other, and learning that needs to be reflected every day.

Interviewees need to show passion and excitement in knowing what South Loop is all about.
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