A Retiring Principal’s Reflection on What Made a Difference

By Pete Nusbaum, Principal, St. Croix Central High School

In January I made one of the toughest decisions I have ever had to make: I made a decision to retire from education.  It was not an easy decision as I am truly in the midst of a great year, and I can honestly say that my last years in education have been some of my best.  As I reflected on why that was there were the obvious reasons, great kids, great community, etc…. However, when I went deeper, I truly feel I can attribute my feelings to continued growth and a great team!  

Truthfully, my first 10 years of teaching consisted of very little growth and very little reflection.  I had no clue of the many growth opportunities that existed and frankly I wasn’t interested and simply indifferent to any self-improvement.  However, my journey from apathy to a desire to learn and to know more has revealed to me the incredible importance of embracing professional development as a catalyst for personal growth and advancement.  

My/our journey at SCC started about 10 years ago with AWSA’s Impactful Coaching academy with Tammy Gibbons.  What a game-changer that was for our team and me at SCC!  Since that time Tammy has been an amazing influence for me and our administrative team.  As we worked through the coaching seminars and PD with Tammy, we also got involved with AWSA’s SAIL for Administrative teams led by Joe Schroeder.  Joe and his team helped us understand what it meant to be a team and how to challenge one another professionally and personally to be the best version of ourselves for each other.  At this time we have an amazing team of professionals leading the SCC School District.  We recently had Tammy Gibbons this year to push us further with our PLC process.  

Personally, I was also pushed by Jim Lynch as a leader of AWSA to get involved with the Advisory Committee which was a great opportunity!  The relationships I developed and the network of collaboration I set up with other administrators was beyond a blessing as I learned from them, shared stresses with them, and we all solved problems together, so I didn’t feel like I was on an island.  I will be forever indebted to Jim, Joe, Tammy, and AWSA as they have made my final decade as an educator my best! 

I discovered that professional development is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. Rather, it is a highly personalized journey that evolves alongside my aspirations and interests. Whether through attending CESA/AWSA workshops, or engaging in AWSA Mentorship Programs, I found a multitude of avenues through which to grow and to expand my horizons. As I reflect on my journey from complacency to enthusiasm for growth and professional development, I am struck by the profound impact that AWSA has had on my life. No longer do I view it as an unpleasant obligation, but rather as a source of inspiration and opportunity. 

In conclusion, the importance of professional development cannot be overstated. It is the cornerstone of personal and career success, offering a pathway to excellence and fulfillment. My own journey serves as a testament to the transformative power of embracing professional growth, and I encourage others to embark on their own path towards self-discovery and achievement. I encourage all educators to take advantage of the amazing knowledge and opportunities that AWSA and local CESA’s provide. After all, the greatest investment we can make is in ourselves. I wish you all the best!