top of page
Alma, Charter School Principal and Administrator at Middle School: Advize Career Interview
Alma's journey, from observing academic struggles among similar students at Yale to founding a charter middle school in South Los Angeles and becoming a principal, demonstrates a powerful commitment to improving education for underrepresented communities.
The interview reveals a multifaceted role encompassing instruction, operations, and community engagement, requiring a blend of "hard skills" like budgeting and "soft skills" such as diplomacy.
A typical day involves team huddles, classroom walkthroughs, and meetings, emphasizing student interaction and fostering a positive school culture.
The most rewarding aspects include advocating for teachers, driving innovation, and witnessing student progress, even into college.
Challenges include addressing emotional and economic concerns, but the ability to make a lasting community impact fuels Alma's passion.
Advice for aspiring educators includes mastering foundational skills, proactively offering solutions, and recognizing the importance of meticulous planning, all learned through experiences from Yale's La Casa cultural house and Alma's personal journey as a first-generation college student.
Entry-level positions such as teacher's aides or involvement in after-school programs are highlighted as valuable stepping stones.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Alma Zepeda
Charter School Principal and Administrator
Middle School
Yale College 2012
Johns Hopkins School of Education, MS in Elementary Education, 2015
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Political Science, American Studies
Education
Operations and Project Management
International Student, Took Out Loans
Watch all of this Advizer's videos below
Career Path of a Charter School Principal at a Charter Middle School
Alma's career path began with observing "students of my background struggling academically" at Yale, leading to involvement with Teach for America. This experience, along with founding a charter middle school in South Los Angeles and progressing to principal, showcases a commitment to improving educational outcomes for underrepresented students.
Main Responsibilities Of A Charter School Principal At Middle School
Alma's main responsibilities as a charter school principal encompassed "all aspects of the school," including operations, instruction, curriculum, and compliance—a role that built upon Alma's prior experience as a director of operations. A key focus was instructional improvement, specifically devising methods to address student learning gaps while maintaining grade-level standards, demonstrating a commitment to effective teaching and learning.
A Day in the Life of a Charter School Principal and Administrator at Middle School
A typical day for this charter school administrator begins with a team huddle to set daily objectives and "get started on the right day and on the right kind of mood," followed by classroom walkthroughs and student interaction. The afternoon is dedicated to meetings, including check-ins with direct reports and board members, emphasizing the importance of administrator presence with students during lunch to build relationships and fostering a positive school culture.
Most Important Skills for a Charter School Principal at Middle School
Alma, a charter school principal, emphasizes the blend of "hard skills" like budgeting and forecasting—essential for managing a school "almost as a business"—and "soft skills" such as people management, describing the transition from being "the queen of [one's] classroom" to a collaborative administrator requiring diplomacy and negotiation to effectively lead a diverse school staff.
Favorite Parts of Being a Charter School Principal at Middle School
Alma, a charter school principal and administrator, finds fulfillment in having "a voice within the larger system" to advocate for teachers' concerns, born from prior experiences as a teacher. The most rewarding aspect of their role is the "constant innovation" and community-focused problem-solving inherent in the charter school model, allowing for personalized education that addresses the unique needs of each community, unlike "a blanket education system".
Challenges Faced By A Charter School Principal And Administrator At Middle School
Alma's biggest challenge as a charter school principal and administrator is the multifaceted nature of the role, encompassing "emotional challenges" like witnessing students' choices that may concern them, and "economic challenges" such as securing funding for essential programs like after-school tutoring. The ultimate responsibility for addressing all operational issues, from teacher actions to parental concerns, rests squarely on their shoulders, making it a demanding but impactful career choice within a minority community.
Favorite Parts Of Working In The Education Industry As A Charter School Principal
Alma, a charter school principal and administrator, finds the most rewarding aspect of the education industry to be "the impact that I can make on a community," specifically citing the ability to "track" students' progress and "be a resource" in their future development, even into college. This is deeply personal for Alma, as the school was co-founded in Alma's childhood neighborhood, allowing for a direct and lasting connection with the community.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Education Industry According To A Charter School Principal And Administrator At A Middle School
Alma, a charter school principal and administrator, highlights the need for a balance of passion and practicality in the education industry, stating that success requires individuals to be "driven and impassioned by the mission but also practical about how they can offer what they can offer". This approach, coupled with setting attainable goals and establishing boundaries, fosters sustainability within a career often associated with burnout.
What a Charter School Principal at a Middle School Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Education Industry
Alma, a charter school principal and administrator, wishes someone had advised her early in her career to focus on "the basics," like classroom management and effective lesson delivery, rather than trying to implement every new educational trend at once. This advice, shared with first-year teachers, emphasizes the importance of self-compassion and a gradual learning curve, acknowledging that "the first two years, you're just learning how to teach."
Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Charter School Teachers and Aides
Charter schools offer flexible entry-level options like teacher's aides or instructional aides, the latter involving "pulling a small group of students," while programs like Teach for America allow direct entry into teaching; however, volunteering in after-school programs provides valuable experience in classroom management, a crucial skill that "takes new teachers by surprise."
Significant Career Lesson From a Charter School Administrator at a Middle School
Alma, a charter school principal and administrator, learned in her startup school environment and throughout her career to "always come with suggestions, not with complaints," finding this approach invaluable for improving situations and fostering collaboration, from teaching to administrative roles and even graduate studies. This proactive problem-solving strategy demonstrates a commitment to positive change and impactful contribution.
College Experiences That Helped a Charter School Principal and Administrator at a Middle School Succeed
Alma's undergraduate work at La Casa cultural house at Yale, specifically "event planning," provided invaluable experience that translated directly to their career in education administration. The experience taught the importance of meticulous planning and attention to detail, bridging the gap between "Visionaries" and "people that are really good at operations," ensuring successful execution of ideas.
How Identity Has Influenced A Charter School Principal's Career At A Middle School
Alma, a first-generation college student, strives to make pathways to success "more attainable and transparent," impacting her career choices from teaching and administration to a future in consulting with a focus on social impact. This commitment stems from a personal journey of discovering career options later in life, fueling a desire to illuminate the "step-by-step pieces" for others, ensuring students are exposed to diverse possibilities.
Advizer Personal Links
no
bottom of page