Episode 101: Behind the School Gates: The Reality of Being a School Principal with Susan Simon

Have you ever wondered what really goes on behind the scenes of a school — and the challenges a school principal faces?

As a mother of four almost-adult children, I feel like I've spent a significant portion of my life navigating the school system. So, I was fascinated to sit down with former school principal, author and yoga teacher Susan Simon to hear her perspective from the other side of the school gates.

In this episode of It's a Mindset, Susan shares the realities of leading a school and the challenges principals face behind the scenes. We explore how much teaching has changed in recent years, particularly with the increasing demands of administration and curriculum, and the impact these changes can have on educators and school communities.

But Susan's story extends well beyond the school gates. We also explore her transition from school principal to yoga teacher and the shift in identity that can come when we leave a role that has defined us for so long. Susan also opens up about her breast cancer diagnosis and how it profoundly changed the way she values her life and the people in it.

This conversation made me reflect on how closely we can tie our identity to what we do — and the courage it can take to step into a new chapter when a role we've held for so long comes to an end.

Key Episode Takeaways:

• The challenges school principals face behind the scenes and the complexity of leading a school community.
• How teaching has changed, particularly with increasing administrative and curriculum demands.
• Susan's transition from school principal to yoga teacher and the identity shift that can come when we leave a long-held role.
• How a breast cancer diagnosis changed Susan's perspective and deepened her appreciation for life and the people she loves.

About the Guest

Susan Simon lives on five acres of natural bushland in Tanawha, in south-east Queensland. She and her husband Geoff head up a lively family of six adult children and an emerging gaggle of grandchildren. Simon loves spending time with family and friends, and her passions include writing, yoga, travel, art and music. Simon has been writing creatively all her life, in journals, poetry and short stories. The Secrets of St Jude’s is her first full length novel. She was inspired to write it through the encouragement of colleagues in a creative writers’ group.

Born in Suffolk, England, Simon went to school in Cambridge. She studied at the University of Nottingham and graduated with Joint Honours in English and Fine Art. After working in London, she moved to Australia. Simon took up the profession of teaching and eventually became a school principal of three independent schools, including being the founding principal of St Andrew’s Anglican College in Peregian. She graduated with her doctorate in 2008 which paved the way for a career in academia with a focus on teacher education and school leadership.

Show Resources:

Connect with Susan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sue-simon-4181b630/

Follow Susan on instagram: @susan.simon_author

Connect with Susan on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SueSimon11/

Follow Emma, the Podcast Host on Instagram: @emmalagerlow

Check Out Emma's Website: https://www.emmalagerlow.com/

If you LOVED the episode, make sure you share this on your Instagram Stories and tag us @emmalagerlow and @susan.simon_author.

Yours in Valuing the Life You Have, Emma. X.