The more you rise in your school administration, the less you can hide from others. Your independence has decreased.

Although you may have thought you were in a senior position, but you will discover that there are many people who will evaluate, criticize, scrutinize, appreciate, and comment on your effectiveness and skills.

Subject coordinators and principals frequently face public scrutiny. Every action is noted by others. Some people may find it unnerving to discover that trivial problems are magnified by others.

This is different from being a teacher. Children, parents, supervisors, and administrators watch teachers. Those same children, parents, and supervisors also watch administrators, as well as an additional level of supervisory staff that looks over their shoulder.

Thus, despite what many people may feel, administrators are not on top of the world or superior to others. You may think that the higher you go, the lower you go. Because of the educational bureaucracy, those on top often have less independence and less authority.

What was that about working your way up?