This article is reprinted with permission from West Brunswick High School West Wind

On Wednesday, September 11th, the West Wind had a press conference with two of our administrators: principal Scott Dalton and assistant principal Karla Stanley. The topic of teacher/student relationships and the “why” behind being educators came up being one of the main focuses.

Stanley knew her goal, not only as an educator but as an administrator, was to help kids find success and fulfillment in their endeavors. She encourages not only her own kids but also students to make the right decisions and be successful.

“I feel like as an educator once I encounter you, you become mine,” said Stanley. “All the kids at West are my kids”

Stanley strives to be a helping hand or a shoulder to lean on whenever students or her own kids need something. She may be an administrator, but that doesn’t mean she is just here to help kids in trouble. She wants to help make a difference in the lives of students, which means holding them accountable but in a loving and encouraging way.

“My own kids know that yeah, you can sit in mama’s office, but once one of my other kids needs me, then you have to leave,” said Stanley. “My office is a safe place not only for you but for everybody.”

When you think of administrators, you probably think about getting called to the principal’s office or getting in trouble for something. While that may be part of their job, the other part is to create a relationship with students and help them reach their goals after high school. Stanley’s focus is to give students that extra support but also make sure they are making the right decisions not only for themselves but making right decisions that affect other people around them.

“My advice to everybody is to be a blessing,” said Stanley. “Think about everything you do and see if it’s blessing you or if it’s blessing someone else. If it’s not then you’re a burden. Be a blessing, don’t be a burden.”