Alyssa Strykers, IRT ’14 shares her experiences leading up to her current role as an assistant principal
I am currently an Assistant Principal at Inwood Academy for Leadership in Manhattan, New York. I was born and raised in NYC and went to Davidson College where I majored in Anthropology with a concentration in Education. Next, I began my career in education with Citizen Schools in NY to see if I truly wanted to pursue teaching.
After my 2-year Americorp commitment, I left NYC to pursue a M.Ed at Boston College (Masters in Moderate Special Needs) through the Donovan Urban Teaching Scholars Program led by Catherine Wong, former Director, Urban Outreach Initiatives. Catherine actively recruited me from IRT. If you are considering a leadership position down the line, I suggest a pathway to special education. You can be a more effective leader when you can teach and differentiate for students who need it the most. You also may be able to receive dual certification in some states. Originally, I thought I would return to NYC right after completion of my Masters but fell in love with my school in Dorchester. I waited until my first cohort of students graduated before returning to teach in NYC. The one thing I wish I had done differently was get my NY teaching certification while I was still in Massachusetts because the transfer of certification was a headache.
I always had the desire/dream to work in Educational Leadership. However, I knew it was important and critical to gain classroom experience first. Once I felt more comfortable and secure as a teacher, I began taking on teacher leadership positions such as Math Department Head, 9th & 12th Grade Level Leaders, and even Soccer coach. All of these positions, in addition to teaching, increased my skills and mindset for my current role. Skills include but are limited to; balancing my time, figuring out how to analyze student data and deciding on effective next steps as well as working as a team to create systems that best address students’ needs.
After teaching at my current school for 2 years and with a total of 8 years in education, I joined their leadership team in 2021 as the Director of Academic Intervention. This role oversaw the IEP coordinator, Speech Language Pathologists, and Social Workers and supported students with IEPs. I also create attendance and academic plans for students who need them. After 2 years in this role, the school restructured the leadership roles and added an Assistant Principal position. I decided I was ready to apply for this AP role that would connect me more to the classroom through coaching and supporting teachers.
My experience teaching and being a school leader at the same school has eased the adjustment to this challenging role. My role involves coaching 18 teachers, supporting the coordination of testing, managing school systems, ensuring they run smoothly, finding resolutions when needed, communicating with families, and a laundry list of other tasks.
Despite the challenges, I do love the work and envision myself remaining in leadership roles and at this school for a long time.
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Institute for Recruitment of Teachers 
I like to read what anyone says about Education. I taught school for years, and I have been a person who worked with children on their reading skills. It was a smaller group setting at times, and some was one to one encouragement. Education is a tough job for all of us, but when we communicate, and work together it seems like the day passes a little faster. I have always been able to teach children, or any age really. I find that many teachers knew they would do this for their life’s work. It isn’t easy to plan, and work with 25 plus children in a classroom with little or no communication with the staff. I don’t believe you have to be gifted to teach, but it does take patience, and making new plans when the first one is finished before the week has ended. I do believe standards are challenging. I remember my students, and at times send up prayers for them. A few students wanted to go into Education. Smile.
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