Working with children is by far one of the greatest draws to a career in education. But working with adults – parents, teachers and staff – is another highlight for many in educational administration.

Such is the case for Suzanne McMasters, vice principal at Benito Juarez Elementary School in the Anaheim City School District and ACSA’s 2009 Elementary Co-Administrator of the Year.

“One of the things I love the most is I get to work with adults, and I still get to work with kids,” she said.

One of her greatest joys is encouraging staff, especially teachers, to reach their full potential. Having begun her position in 2005, she has gotten to know many of the teachers very well.

“Some need outside eyes, and I can allow them to hone in on their skills,” she said.

McMasters worked with teachers to establish instructional goals, and helped provide staff with the necessary materials to implement a standards-aligned curriculum. She works tirelessly to ensure teachers have the resources they need to implement these programs and has also encouraged teachers to become trainers themselves, maximizing their full potential.

“I try to empower the leader within,” she said.

Another way McMasters was able to work with and empower teachers was in the establishment of professional learning communities. She works closely with grade-level teams and tries to foster the strength in each team member.

“I try to establish trust. These are all of our students, and we have to work together to tackle challenges,” she said.

At first, many of the reforms were seen simply as new “programs” to implement and follow. But with McMasters’ support, teachers soon realized the common goal was to improve learning for children.

“We worked together to be sure we were all on the same page,” she said. “All staff wants what’s best for kids.”

National Board Certified Teacher Jessica Rodriguez said in a nomination letter that McMasters was crucial in bringing the PLC concept to life. She mobilized teachers to restructure their programs and facilitated and supported the process along the way.

“Suzy guided the development of this process by ensuring that all teachers received training on the PLC model,” Rodriguez said. “Suzy’s vision for student success was infectious, and the staff enthusiastically embraced the PLC reform effort.”

Another area of focus for McMasters has been creating a positive, safe environment for student success. She worked with the local Parent Teacher Association to purchase playground equipment and helped organize structured activities during recess to avoid behavior problems on the playground. She also works closely with parents to support students off-hours, providing everything from dental referrals to one-on-one counseling.

“We’re on the right track,” she said. “We’re focusing on standards and the whole child.”

Phyllis Reed, Anaheim City SD director of pupil services, said McMasters is a thoughtful leader who remains patient, even when dealing with disciplinary issues when students have made poor choices.

“She continues to amaze me with her patience, perseverance and dedication to help students succeed,” Reed said. “Her choice of consequences always preserves the dignity of the child.”

Prior to her position as vice principal, McMasters was a resource teacher, opportunity school teacher and classroom teacher in Anaheim from 1996-05 and an instructional assistant at the Orange COE from 1990-95.

She is actively involved in her profession, having been a presenter for crisis response trainings, non-verbal classroom management techniques and the New Teacher Academy. She is also involved in districtwide disaster preparedness trainings as well as Community Emergency Response Trainings.

McMasters said growing up, there was never really any doubt she would enter the field of education. Her grandfather was a college educator and her mother a school administrator. In fact, her mother, Mary Alice Blanchard, received the regional Co-Administrator of the Year Award 13 years ago, so she truly is following in her mother’s footsteps.

“Public education was a path I knew I’d take,” she said.

Each of ACSA’s 19 job-specific 2009 Administrators of the Year will be featured in EdCal through Nov. 2. They will be formally honored during ACSA’s 2009 Leadership Summit, Nov. 5-7 in Sacramento. To register for the event, click here.