October is National Principals Month and the Portland Public Schools is taking this opportunity to shine a spotlight on our principals, who are super. We celebrate and appreciate them not only this month but always! To showcase them, we have asked our principals and lead teachers to answer five questions about themselves and their leadership role. We also asked what superpower they'd like to have to aid in their jobs.

We're featuring each participating principal individually during this month. Read on to learn more about Super Principal Nicole Bradeen of Longfellow Elementary School: 

Longfellow Elementary School

Principal Nicole Bradeen

1) Tell us a little bit about yourself:

I taught elementary and middle school and coached high school students. I was also fortunate to spend time as an instructional coach and assistant principal.  

2) What inspired you to become a principal?

I always loved doing imaginative play as a "teacher" with my elementary school friends (who I am still friends with) and have been working with children since I was 10  as a nanny, camp counselor, teacher, coach and then an admin. I had thoughtful, caring, and inspiring mentors throughout my life who believed in me and encouraged me to be a leader. Through my journey, I realized I loved the breadth of the responsibilities of a principal. All of these experiences and colleagues have shaped me!

3) What do you feel most passionate/excited about in your job?

I am passionate about the variety of collaborative work – from working with teachers and students on curriculum and PD to creating interventions to support students’ needs, to supporting families, to engaging communities in social-emotional learning and community building.

4) What's the most challenging part of being a principal?  

There are not enough hours in the day!

5) If you could choose to have a superpower to help you in your job, what would it be?

 I would have my brain type emails and create schedules automatically so I could spend more time in the moment with students, families and staff.