Category: Alumni (Page 2 of 5)

In the Spring of 2016, I earned the Principal/Program Administrator Certificate led by Dr. Cynthia Johnson. As a result of positive support and a rigorous training, I am the first Assistant High School Principal at College Place HIgh School in College Place, WA. Craig McKee, who graduated from the program two years earlier introduced me to Gonzaga . He spoke highly about the standards that the programs holds their students accountable, the support given to their students while attending the program, and the program’s leadership.

The instruction and guidance provided by Dr. Cynthia Johnson and Jim Whitford helped me tremendously during my adjustment out of the classroom and into the front office. As a first year administrator, Dr. Johnson has reached out to me to assist with this year’s cohort and Jim Whitford has stopped by my high school twice to make sure I was settling into my new position with relative ease.

One of the greatest lessons learned while attending Gonzaga is how to work collaboratively, because education’s greatest resource is others in our field. We can solve all our current issues if given enough time to first empathize an issue, create a definition, ideate possible solutions while building a prototype, and finally testing and evaluating our results. If we can provide the resource of time mixed with the experience of other educators most educational issues can be contained. Working with my colleagues for the betterment of the students has become my best part of my day, because the most challenging aspect has always been a meeting to set up a meeting. Any system can be infected with the bureaucracy. Part of my vision as an educational leader is to support those with a great idea. The idea needs to get into the classroom while the burning inspiration is still ablaze.

I want to raise the public perception of teachers in our society. I have worked with two highly dedicated and motivated school districts in my career, and in both always felt overworked, but this is the profession we have chosen. I want acknowledgement through accolades and compensation through funds showered on our current educators. Only then will the profession be viewed on the same level as other occupations in our society. However, this vocation can offer the most rewards you could ever imagine! Once a professional educator develops relational trust with all their stakeholders, colleagues, students, and parents, true success follows. Know what your strengths are and play to them while recognizing and developing your areas of concern.

1. Tell us about yourself:  My name is Gane’ Bourgeois, and I received my certification in Educational Administration/Leadership from the Principal Certification Program. We, our cohort, graduated in May, 2016.
2. What are you doing now?: For the last six years, I have served as the Educational Director for the Madison House, a youth organization run by the Yakima Union Gospel Mission. I chose to remain in my role for an additional year to serve the students in our program, whom I’ve known and mentored for over 20 years. I recently accepted a position as the Assistant Principal at Wilson Middle School, in the Yakima School District, for the 2017-2018 school year.
3. Why did you choose a program in the School of Education at Gonzaga? Gonzaga University is well-respected in the field of education, known for having an excellent program with high standards, talented faculty, and focused on bringing quality educators/leaders into the field.
4. What influenced you the most during your time at Gonzaga? Dr. Cynthia Johnson was instrumental in helping all of us become successful. While she has extremely high expectations, she treated us with respect, and helped us keep our goal in mind. Dr. Johnson loves her school, and is a proud Bulldog. She made sure that we were well “decorated” in GU emblems for our future offices, as each graduating principal enters our new roles as administrators with a professional folio marked “Gonzaga University Educational Leadership” on the front. “Expecting” mothers and fathers received Gonzaga “onesies” to celebrate the new births that took place during our cohort year. She helped us become a supportive family, and her friendliness kept us “human” during our tough program.
   
5. What was your greatest lesson learned at Gonzaga? My greatest lesson learned from my specific program at Gonzaga was that ANYONE can do ANYTHING for a year, but doing it well is the challenge.
6. What is the most rewarding aspect of working in your field? Most challenging? The most rewarding aspect of working in the field of education, and in my position as an educator in a youth non-profit organization, is watching students make something of their dreams. When my students turn their dreams into goals and then go after them, it is so powerful.  The most difficult aspect of being a part of this field is helping students understand that success doesn’t come easily, all the time; and when they fail, helping them get up is difficult, but necessary.
7. What critical issues do you see that need to be addressed in your field? I’m worried that educational professionals have become swept-up in a current of negativity. This has been caused by several factors; and though it is fairly easy to focus on things that distract us, we cannot lose sight of the reason why we do what we do…a successful future for our students.
8. What advice do you have for future education professionals?
   1. In whatever role you acquire, give yourself at least two years; one to keep your lips above the water-line, and the second to actually do the work. Then decide if you like what you do.
   2. Find balance; this field will take every second of time that you have. The work will still be there tomorrow, but people may not be.
   3. Don’t be afraid to laugh…especially at yourself. This might be the only action that keeps you from “crazy”, on some days.