Principal Adam Desautels said he always has his hands full. While he enjoys getting to spend time with students and staff, a day in his life is hectic. He has been working at Inglemoor since 2018 and said the heavy workload has remained constant since the beginning.
“One thing that is consistent is my day is always busy. I am here at 6:30 in the morning and leave between 4 and 5 in the evening. I don’t really get a chance to take a break,” Desautels said.
As busy as his schedule is, he said that every day is unique in its own way based on the needs of students or staff members at the time.
“Sometimes, I’m working with teachers on their classroom instruction or evaluation. Other times, I’m helping students process through choices or discipline or working with parents that have concerns,” Desautels said.
In particular, Desautels said he enjoys interacting with students face-to-face.
“My favorite parts of the day are always when I have conversations with students and get to know them a little bit better,” Desautels said.
During these conversations, Desautels also gains insight into students’ situations and ways he can help.
“A big part of my job is to know what students are going through and dealing with where students are in terms of their grades. Also, I need to figure out what they need to do to graduate. I know their situations very clearly,” Desautels said.
Something Desautels wishes he had more time for is finding ways of preventing issues from reoccurring. He said this is important as he wants each and every student to be successful.
“I’m really trying to figure out how to be more proactive about helping prevent future problems from arising by putting structures in place that eliminate barriers which are catalysts for issues that come up,” Desautels said.
In Desautels’ experience, part of being able to prevent such issues is having the mindset to listen and understand what a student is going through.
“This is a very people-centric job, so it is really important to have a level of patience and focus and work hard to understand where the other person is coming from,” Desautels said.
For the principal, addressing student and staff needs are what makes his day rewarding.
“I always feel like I have a lot of things to do, but if somebody is coming in to talk to me, I know it’s the most important thing for them,” Desautels said. “I have to treat it like it’s the most important thing for me. That is what makes my day valuable.”
Above all, Desautels wants students to know that whatever it is they may be going through, his doors are always open for them.
“I think it’s important for people to know that I’m approachable. I generally have an open door,” Desautels said. “When I’m in the office or out in the courtyard, please come and say hello.”
