Iva’s Question Quest
Hi, I’m Iva and I have a passion for getting to know people and discovering the world. Listen along as I interview people, tell stories, and explain history mysteries.
Iva’s Question Quest
From Classroom to Leadership: 20 Years in Education with Dr. Finklea
Dr. Finklea, principal at St. James Elementary, shares her 20-year journey in education and what makes being a principal "the best job ever." Her passion for helping both children and adults learn and grow reveals the heart behind educational leadership and the lasting impact educators can have on students' futures.
• Dr. Tinkles taught kindergarten through third grade before becoming a principal
• She has served as a principal for 15 years, including roles as a high school assistant principal
• Being a principal allows her to work with both children and adults, making it "twice the fun"
• Her favorite part of leadership is making everyone in the school community feel loved, valued, and supported
• Dr. Tinklea finds greatest pride in seeing former students graduate, attend college, and find fulfilling careers
an interview on Iva's Question Quest. Hello everyone, Today I'm interviewing my principal at St James Elementary, Dr Tinkley. Dr Tinkley, how many years have you been in education?
Speaker 2:I've been in education over 20 years a long time.
Speaker 1:Wow, have you been a teacher before?
Speaker 2:I have been a teacher before. I taught in elementary school.
Speaker 1:What grades did you teach?
Speaker 2:I taught kindergarten, first grade, second grade and third grade. Not all at the same time, but I have taught all those different grade levels.
Speaker 1:So you've taught my grade.
Speaker 2:Yes, it's one of my favorites.
Speaker 1:That's really cool. How long have you been a principal?
Speaker 2:I have been a principal for 15 years. 15 years that's awesome. What was your inspiration to become a principal? I always love working with kids, but I also like working with adults. So being a principal is like the best job ever, because not only do you get to work with kids and help them learn and grow, but you also get to work with adults and help them learn and grow. So that just makes it twice the fun.
Speaker 1:So you've been an assistant principal and a normal principal.
Speaker 2:I have been. I was an assistant principal at a high school and then I became an elementary principal.
Speaker 1:Wow, what is your favorite part of being a principal?
Speaker 2:I think it's to make kids and adults, the staff in the building and the parents that come to the building and all of the students feel loved and valued and that they matter and that somebody is there to support them and help them become successful and to be the best that they can be.
Speaker 1:That's really cool. What are you most proud of in your work?
Speaker 2:I'm most proud of all the kids that have learned and have gone on to middle school and high school and got their high school diploma and have gone on to college or gone on to find a career that they're really happy with. I just think it's amazing that I was a little bit a part of that journey, helping them to get their education.
Speaker 1:That's really cool. Thank you, Dr Pinkley, for your time. That was our episode with my personal. Until next time. This has been Isla Hazelden. Bye, Bye.