MNT2ACHIEVE with Pamela McDonnough
An Interview with Pamela McDonough,
Assistant Principal, Palm Beach County Schools, Palm Beach Florida.
“It’s not easy but I do my best to be “in the present” wherever I am at. If I am at work, I am 100% there; if I am at home or with my kids, then I am 100% there”
Were you always a leader? When did you know you had the capacity to lead?
I don't consider myself always "being a leader", especially growing up in a house with three older brothers.
In my professional career, I found that I had the capacity to lead and influence when I led a professional development workshop with and for my fellow colleagues. During the workshop, not only were all of the teachers attentive and were copiously taking notes and asking probing questions, but I knew I had "it" when the teacher in our group, known to be the most challenging of them all, was engaged and wanted to know more even after my presentation...and what's more, asked me to come into her class to model a lesson for her to do later.
Who or what had a strong Influence on you growing up?
When my parents divorced, my mother had a very difficult time not just emotionally, but financially, too. Only being a high school graduate, she had never had a job or lived without because she was always dependent on a man and later, my father once married. It was hard watching her struggle and that had a big impact on me because I decided that I would be and do better for me AND for her.
What's more, my father always pushed me to do better. His expectations for me always seemed to be higher and harder than they were for my 3 brothers. I also think that this was because he felt that as a woman, my road to success would be different than that for my brothers. So he pushed me to go to college, pushed me to earn my masters, and continues to push me to this day to finish my doctorate and become "a principal and superintendent!" His voice is always in the back of my mind when I make a decision, and I really do my best to live up to his expectations of me...even when I sometimes don't feel like they are reasonable, I know that they make me want better for myself.
Beyond that, outside of my home life, I would say that another strong influence for me was to make sure that those who didn't believe in me were proved wrong. Growing up not speaking English was hard- teachers and adults who were supposed to push me to want to be better did the opposite. It was as if just because I didn't speak English meant that I was stupid. Having that fire under me really pushed me to excel beyond their expectations of me.
Can you summarize your career trajectory from the first job to present?
I began working at a private school as a middle school English and world history teacher, all while earning my bachelors degree in English Education. After successfully finishing my student teaching, I was offered a job where I student taught as an English teacher.
While working there, I always wanted to "know" more, so I enrolled at Nova Southeastern and earned my masters degree in curriculum and instruction. Although I was able to finish my degree in record time, it was not easy because I was pregnant with my first born son, so having to juggle pregnancy, work, husband and school was not an easy feat.
After earning my masters, I was happy. But, that lasted about 6 months and I got the "bug" again- and this happened a little after I found that I was a leader at my school, even if I didn't have the official title or position.
My principal encouraged me to go for my leadership degree, and so I enrolled back in school and earned my Specialist degree in educational leadership. This degree took me an extra semester to finish, and I would say that being pregnant and giving birth to our second son had a little to do with it. Having one child was hard, but two was a lot more stressful. Thankfully, I was able to finish and it was then that my principal, again, encouraged me to apply for leadership positions within the district.
Reluctantly, I applied; I was reluctant because I felt that I had never been an official leader- with title, however, after applying to the first school to become an assistant principal (my current role) I got the job in my first ever interview.
Currently as an assistant principal, and beginning my 6th year in this position, I have become my principal's "go-to". I have learned a lot about leadership, organization, and myself as a leader and person.
What role have mentors played in your life?
I don't believe I have ever had an official mentor in my life.
My father always (and continues) to push me to be better and go to "the next level" but other than him, I don't believe that I have had "mentors" in my life with whom I could go to for guidance or advice...
What is the most difficult leadership lesson you’ve learned?
It is more important to be a leader who is kind than a leader who is mean and/or people "fear."
How do you maintain a work-life balance?
It's not easy but I do my best to be "in the present" wherever I am at. If I am at work, I am 100% there; if I am at home or with my kids, then I am 100% there.
One thing that I have tried this past year is to not respond to emails past (or before) a certain time. I am not always successful at this, but when I have been consistent, I have found to be more engaged, thoughtful and overall better with my reactions and responses overall...
What advice do you have for aspiring leaders?
The act of reflecting is critical to success. It will help you grow, both professionally and personally.
Ask yourself often, "am I observing the situation accurately or am I projecting how I feel onto what is happening?"
What would your 21-year-old self think of you now?
She would be cautiously proud. Happy that I have "made it this far" but also asking, "okay- what's next?"
What is a favorite leadership quote and why?
I have found that my "favorite" quotes change and evolve as I do....but currently I love Ralph Waldo Emerson's, "To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived...this is to have succeeded!"
What is next for you?
I am hoping to finish my doctorate degree by early next year...and hopefully to move to the next level in my career- may be as a principal or other school/district level administrator that helps to make an impact on adults so that they can positively impact our kids & future.
BIO
Pamela McDonough is currently an assistant principal in the School District of Palm Beach County, with a passion for helping others find their "WHY."
She is a wife, mom of two boys, and can be found any weeknight or weekend in a gym or field, cheering on my two boys. She is inspired by people who are kind, humble, joyful and self-confident in their abilities, whatever they may be...