First-Time Principals Wade Into The Chaos Of A New School Year All Three Believe That By Leading Their Teachers Well, They Can Make An Impact On Children’s Lives.

Jean Marczynski, new principal at Blake Elementary, got flowers on Tuesday afternoon, but no time to enjoy them.

Not with school starting Wednesday.

Last week, Lyle Krislock, new principal at Opportunity Elementary, got new paint and carpet in his office. But the workers boxed up his belongings helter-skelter, and Krislock was still scrambling days later to find all his important papers.

And Mike Uphus, new principal at East Farms Elementary, who took the time to get out and call on about 50 neighbors near his school, got a warm welcome. “I think they were glad I got out into the community,” he said.

The three veteran Spokane Valley educators are first-time principals. They all put in time - “I can’t even count the hours,” said Marczynski - over the summer, getting to know and appreciate their teachers and their new buildings. All three believe that by leading their teachers well, they can make an impact on children’s lives.

Marczynski has worked for Central Valley School District for 18 years, mostly teaching both regular and special education students.

Her last four years were spent as an administrator in Central Valley’s special education program. She missed working with children, though.

She’s received advice from all corners, including her two children, 9 and 11:

“They have a lot of advice for me. Be friendly. Wear friendly clothes - you know, bright colors,” Marczynski said. “And don’t be too strict.”

Krislock, who was born in Canada, started his journey into education while a college student who thought he was pursuing his father’s footsteps into business.

But a college job working with kids proved so rewarding that Krislock changed gears. He taught physical education, then eventually science and social studies.

Krislock said he tries to learn from others’ experiences and opinions. Sometimes, all he can do is keep sight of the big picture.

Last week, he talked with a brokenhearted mother whose kindergartner will be bused to another school. There was little he could do, he said, but listen.

“It’s really hard. It’s especially hard when you look at a little guy like that.”

Krislock also has gotten advice from his three children.

“My son said, ‘You know, Dad, you need to listen to kids. Dad, I went in one time to talk to the principal and I had a good idea and he acted like he didn’t even have time to talk to me.’ “So, I promised I would listen.”

Uphus moved from Central Valley to the East Valley School District this fall. On top of everything else associated with his new job, he had to solve a last-minute crisis with his schools’ phones. A problem with a ground wire cut phone service to East Farms over the Labor Day weekend.

“That did add to a little chaos around here,” Uphus said.

, DataTimes