Believe me when I say that starting a new job as a school administrator can be exciting and challenging at the same time. As a school administrator, your first 100 days are very important to your success in the role. During this time, you will have the opportunity to set the tone for your management and leadership and build a solid foundation for your future work. I say this from experience, having been a school administrator in four schools across four major cities in Nigeria, and having mentored several school administrators as well.

One of the first things you should do as a new school administrator is to familiarise yourself with the policies and procedures of the school. You should understand the school's mission, vision, and goals, as well as its organisational structure. This will help you to make informed decisions and communicate effectively with staff, students, and parents. Who reports to who? Who is in charge of what? Who can you delegate what to?

These are things you should concern yourself with. You can also communicate your vision for the school and seek input from stakeholders on how to achieve your goals.

Another important aspect of your first 100 days as a school administrator is bonding with the staff. Building positive relationships with your colleagues and the staff who work under your supervision can help you to create a collaborative and supportive work environment. You should take the time to get to know your staff members, listen to their concerns, and provide them with the support and resources they need to succeed. Learn their names one by one. Everyone likes the sound of their names and I’m sure you like to be addressed properly too.

Reporting quick wins can also be a great way to build momentum and gain support from stakeholders especailly school owners and board mmbers whose eyes are on you in the first few mnths of emplying you. It's their way of checking to be sure that they made the right choice of a school administrator out of all the candidates that aplied for the job. . Quick wins are small, achievable goals that can be completed within a short period of time. By highlighting these wins, you can demonstrate your leadership skills and build confidence in your abilities. this will halp to start building trust with your empolyer, board members and the staff you're leading. Never forget this.

Another important aspect of being a school administrator is managing the school's resources effectively. This includes developing a budget and allocating resources appropriately to support student learning and achievement, staff develoment and all other school activities. You should also be proactive in seeking out ways of getting parents to support your school's programs and activities and events.

Also, you should be focused on improving student outcomes. This may involve analysing data on student performance and identifying areas for improvement. You can then work with your staff to develop targeted interventions and strategies to support student success.

It is also important to study the organisational politics of the school during your first 100 days. You should understand the power dynamics and the key players in the school. This will help you to navigate any potential challenges and build relationships with those who can support your work.

Getting a mentor or a coach can also be beneficial during your first 100 days as a school administrator. A mentor or a coach can provide you with guidance and support as you navigate the challenges of the role. They can also help you to develop your leadership skills and provide you with feedback on your performance. A mentor can share his or her experiences and guide you on mistakes to avoid for a successful tenure as a school administrator.

Finally, it's important to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and research in the education sector. This can help you make informed decisions about curriculum, instructional practices, technology and other areas that impact student learning.

These are just a few tips to get you started on your first 100 days as a school administrator. Remember, the most important thing is to be patient, listen to feedback, and stay committed to improving outcomes for all staff and the students in your care.

In conclusion, your first 100 days as a school administrator are critical to your success in the role. So it matters what you do during this time.

If you are looking for a coach or a mentor, The Connected School Administrators Academy (COSAA) by Nancy Ekpezu is an excellent option. The online academy provides coaching and mentoring to school administrators, as well as teaching salient aspects of school administration and management. The program runs for three months, with video lessons taking place on Zoom once a week. There is also a dedicated WhatsApp group where participants can share content and resources and ask questions. Each COSAA participant meets with Coach Nancy once a month to check progress and provide feedback about how they are implementing what they have learnt from the academy.

Reach out to my team today via WhatsApp at +234-8035880367 or email at info@nancyekpezu.com or pezusmithconsulting@gmail.com.

I'll be delighted to work with you.

Watch the following videos from past participants of COSAA. We have successfully completed three cohorrts of the academy since its inception in January 2022.