168: Through a School Leader’s Eyes (with Walter Hopkins and Lori Neuman)

What exactly does a Head of School do? What does your school leader wish you knew? Hear from two school directors, Walter Hopkins and Lori Neuman, about their experiences leading Christian schools, from big-picture vision to the everyday details.

• “What the vision was initially – to reach Spain – has been expanded to reaching the nations with the Gospel message.” - Walter
• “The Lord has placed a shepherd’s heart in me, and that’s what I love to be able to do - to be able to shepherd the staff and the students.” - Walter
• “It’s a big mix of the day-to-day little minute things but also the big picture and the direction that the school is going, so it’s a fun mix. Each day is unique and full of new things that I have no idea will come, and that’s honestly what makes it fun – it’s always different.” - Lori
• “God gives us little by little additional responsibilities and ideas and opportunities. So, I think it’s important to say ‘yes’ and trust God with what He’s giving you, and seek Him in all of it.” - Lori 
• “I never ever twenty years ago would have imagined myself sitting in this chair.” - Walter
• “When they see a school leader not being fazed by things or not letting their emotions get in the way of leading, that makes a big difference to them.” - Lori
• “If I’m asking things of the staff that I myself don’t want to do or don’t think I have time to do, then that’s probably a good check that I don’t think this is a good thing to be asking of the staff.” - Lori
• “It’s healthy to delegate because you can’t do it all. I can’t do it all, and even though I think that I can, that’s just pride.” - Lori
• “One of the most important ways that someone can support a school leader is through prayer.” - Walter
• “To see what is happening outside of our school building, where parents are doing life on life with other parents, and they’re out there in the plaza outside of the school sometimes for hours and hours, and the love of Christ is being shared – that’s a beautiful thing to see.” - Walter

Click here to learn more about current school leadership openings with TeachBeyond!

What’s changing our lives:

• Heather: New baby niece
• Lori: Finding a quicker route to get home from work
• Walter: Balancing graduate classes with work and life

Weekly Spotlight: LIFE International School in Spain and GDQ International Christian School in Albania

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