There is A Lot of Pressure Running the Free World

As another summer comes to an end, (thank goodness the endless days of fun and sunshine are over … for those of you new to the blog, this is what we call sarcasm), another school year is upon us.

I was thinking how the 2009-2010 school year will be entirely different from previous years. Each year has its own distinctive feel and set of circumstances to deal with. (Bad news for all the new administrators: the circumstances of which I speak are not usually good ones.)

I am happy to report that last year was a very good one. The students were well behaved, the staff did an excellent job and the parents were supportive and helpful. Even though things went smoothly, I must admit that I did spend most of the year under a great deal of pressure.

The first time I walked into the second-grade classroom, a few students yelled, "Mr. President." I didn’t think much of it at the time, but during my next visit the entire class screamed out "Mr. President".

As time went on, I was certain the students would figure it out, or the teacher would let them know that while I was very powerful (here, we have more sarcasm) and willing to lead if called upon, I was in fact not the president of the United States.

The entire year went by and in the hallway, cafeteria and on the playground, I was referred to as Mr. President (at least by one class).

While slightly disturbing, I have to admit that I didn’t fight having this honor bestowed upon me. I figured there are just certain people who have greatness thrust upon them. I had been chosen to lead and my intention was to serve to the best of my abilities.

I had a responsibility to the second-graders to be the president.

Honestly, I had just gotten in too deep, and I didn’t have the heart to tell them the truth. In my defense, I wasn’t thinking clearly because there is a lot of pressure in being the president during these trying times.

I knew I didn’t have the proper training to deal with health care, taxes, the automotive bailout and Congress. Quite frankly, I felt a little under-prepared (a college liberal arts education will only take you so far). I don’t recall my professors explaining how to handle the difficult decisions I would face in holding this high office.

My only regret is that during my year in office I wasn’t able to accomplish more. Turns out, time goes fast when you're leading the largest democratic country in the free world. I glanced up and it was already the month of May. The second-graders would soon be third-graders, and it was possible that my time as president was coming to an end.

I guess I will find out on the first day of school if I get another term or if the students will have decided that my time in the Oval Office has come to an end.

When I was first hired as a school administrator, people told me I would face all kinds of situations, but I never imagined second-graders would expect me to solve the problems in the Middle East.

I wish I could have done more, but it seemed like I was always getting bogged down with lunch duty and detentions. I guess everyone has their little niche in the world. It does make me wonder how successful President Obama would be in helping little kids open their juice boxes.

To read more blog entries by Michael Smith, visit his site PrincipalsPage.com.