Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Joyce Conley. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Joyce thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

I have always known I wanted to be an educator. As a little girl, I played school with my friends, I was a leader on my athletic teams, my parents were both educators. Once I became a teacher, I knew I wanted to have a greater impact. I needed to get out of my classroom and work with the adults in the building. That was the way I saw myself impacting more children. My journey into administration wasn’t exciting or compelling, it was a typical journey; work hard, feel disappointment, keep trying; get disappointed again. It was my first year as an assistant principal where I had to make a decision, stay or go.

I chose to stay and I gave the job everything I had. I would stay at work until 6:30-7:00pm because that was the expectation. I couldn’t tell you where that expectation originated but I was taught that administrators arrive early and stay late. So, I did and as a result, I left my 11-12 year old home to navigate middle school, essentially on her own.

There were times I was expected to do things I had no idea where to start. One time, I asked my principal to remember that I’m new at this and need some guidance. I’m a quick learner, tell me once and I’ll pick it up. She was super smart but I felt like she expected me to jump in and know what to do.

I can recall a time where myself and my principal were at work late in the evening trying to solve a personnel issue. At that time I was pregnant and my car was in the shop so I had to be picked up from work. We were in her office trying to figure out how to take care of the situation while realizing neither of us had access to the program we needed. The secretary, who had long been gone for the day, was the only one who knew this new system. Logically, there was nothing more we could do that night. It was getting late, I was ready to go home, and my ride was there. I kindly excused myself for the evening.

On my ride home I received a text message from my principal telling me that administrators never leave during a crisis. Among other things. I was taken aback and upset but I responded to remind her that I work extremely hard, I don’t have a car, I wasn’t making my ride wait, and I needed to get home to my daughter. That was the moment that quickly made me realize the importance of two things: support for new assistant principals and family.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers?

I’m Joyce, I’ve been an educator for 13 years. I started as an elementary school teacher, turned instructional coach, now assistant principal, consultant and small business owner. I’m also a mom of a toddler and teenager. Like I mentioned before, I’ve always known I wanted to be in education, but where I am now in my leadership journey, my goal is to support other leaders who may be struggling, especially the assistant principal.

My decision to create a network for assistant principals and provide them support in their first year, happened after my daughter who at the time was almost 15 years old, allowed me to see that I wasn’t there when she needed me most. When she was starting middle school, I was trying to establish myself as a new AP while putting her needs to the side almost. We don’t always realize how our families are effected when we as administrators put all of our energy into our school communities. Those unnecessary hours I was putting into work were hours she needed her mom. We have to think about the mental health of not only our students, teachers, and ourselves, but our actual families, too. I named my business Alve’ Pro. after my daughter’s middle name: Alve’. I wanted her to
connect to something greater.

Seeing the need for more support and professional development for the new leader is the reason I decided to create a space where assistant principals could receive help, get advice, and coaching to help them be more confident and knowledgeable. In turn, they wouldn’t need to spend excess time trying to figure it out on their own. I remembered the struggles I had as a new AP and knew I was in a place to help.

The past few years with COVID has shown us so much. We have been conditioned to put all of our energy into everyone else and often times we forget about ourselves. COVID made me realize life is way too short and there are other ways we can be efficient and get the same job done.

I created the network for APs but I still wanted to do more. I wanted to reach as many leaders in education as I could to try to motivate them to keep going through these challenging times. It was important to let them know they were doing a good job and that it was time for them to put themselves first. I created a self-care subscription box to send to educators around the nation. I named it The Caring Leader Box because it was a way for leaders to take care of themselves in order to be their best so they could take care of their school communities. Each month I send out boxes to leaders around the nation with items they can use while taking a moment for themselves. I also create journals and share tips that I would want as an assistant principal. I think about what I could have used as an aspiring or new AP and I try to provide it. I have a Facebook group with aspiring and current assistant principals where we collaborate and support one another.

Recently, I started building my consulting and coaching business for new assistant principals, Alve’ Pro Consulting. As a new assistant principal, coaching and professional development can make a huge difference in impact and retention. Principals often receive coaching and the AP is left to learn on their own or from their principal; unfortunately, not all principals have the capacity or time to successfully coach their APs. That is where my business comes in, to be that coach, cheerleader, and facilitator.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Starting a business is hard! Especially starting a business with a full time job and a toddler. The coaching and support part of my business is what comes easiest. The subscription box requires an aspect of marketing I have struggled with since month two. When I first launched I was so hopeful. This box was just what the leader in education needed. I believe in it, anyone who receives it loves it, but how do I market it to reach more leaders? Each time I lose a subscriber because of timing or budget, it’s hard on my confidence. Especially when I’m not seeing the climb in new subscribers each month.

I’m coming up to a year since I launched The Caring Leader Box and I’ve wanted to just stop on a few occasions, but then I’ll receive a message from a subscriber saying how much they loved that month’s box and it motivates me to keep going.

I know that building any business takes time so I’m going to keep pushing forward. No matter what, the box will be in the hands of leaders whether they subscribe monthly or choose to be a coaching client so I refuse to give up. One of my coaching areas is resilience, so I must practice what I preach.

My journey as an AP has been interesting. There were moments I wanted to quit but I didn’t. Hard work does pay off. This year, I have been named a finalist for my district’s Assistant Principal of the Year. If that is not a testament of resilience, I don’t know what else is!

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

My audience on Facebook is pretty decent. In my Alve’ Pro. Network private group I have over 4,500 members. Building social media isn’t always easy but I have found that when I am consistent and not afraid to tell people about my social media presence, people start to follow. I’m still trying to build on other platforms but that will change as I become more consistent there like I was with Facebook.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.alvepro.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/invites/contact/?i=hxozroq8u3y5&utm_content=mey6nht
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joyce-conley-m-ed-16893473
• Other: https://linktr.ee/Alvepro

Image Credits
Omar Galarza