Elementary school director Monika Fras in front of her door sign. Religious education teacher Thomas Hrabe creates the signs for all classes and rooms on the computer.
Photo:
VS Tullnerbach
Monika Fras has been in charge of the Tullnerbach elementary school since August 1st. In the NÖN interview, the committed educator draws an interim balance of successes, challenges, developments and projects.
NÖN: What has been your best experience as director so far?
Monika Fras: When the parents said I was a hands-on principal. You can see me, I’m available, you can ask me anything. I greet the children in the morning. I was and am always there with heart and soul. The parents are now on average ten years younger than me. I feel their needs and desires and those of the children and I can work with them and hopefully send the families home happy.
What is the most challenging thing about your new role?
Broad: On the one hand, the abundance of administration. Nowadays, there are many administrative tasks for the Education Directorate to take care of. I would like to use part of this time to work with the children and as a contact person for my colleagues. On the other hand, my role change as a team member and colleague to the management function. The fact that I had been a teacher at this school for over ten years made the start easier, but it was also a challenge for everyone to see and accept my new role correctly.
You have a 25-year teaching career behind you. What were the biggest developments and changes during this time?
Broad: The most important and fulfilling thing for me has always been to have a good relationship with the children. I also completed a master’s degree in the field of talent and gifted education and co-founded our special intertwined school type in Tullnerbach. The administration with our school administration program is very complex. Thank God, a friend of mine who is a director of the NMS has been by my side for the last few months, you have to organize the help yourself. And I appreciate the very personal and intensive contact with the Tulln branch of the education department. I feel very valued and am allowed to make mistakes. That’s what I always wanted to convey to the children.
You have a 19-year-old son yourself. Has the new position affected your private life?
Broad: He persuaded me to take over the management position. He’s proud of me. We are a very well-established team.
How do you experience the new teacher selection “Get your teacher”, for which the schools themselves are responsible from April?
Broad: This will only affect us in Tullnerbach from the new school year 2023/24. You have to be able to use the appropriate platform, the education department is now delegating that. And of course it also depends on the reputation of a school how many teachers apply.
What other projects are you planning for this school year?
Broad: I have observed a lot in my first year as director. My aim is that we are a large team of management, teachers, leisure time educators, school caretaker and cleaning staff that cooperates optimally. I also see myself as a companion to my teachers, not their supervisor.
Her main hobby and her second great passion besides school is music. They also have their own band, Lady Chatterley’s Lovers.
Broad: Yes, our music style is country, soul, blues and rock. We’ll be performing on March 24th at the Aera in downtown Vienna, and on April 14th as support act at the Reigen in Hietzing at the Blues Festival. I founded the school band with my music professor in high school, and he recognized my talent. And when I was teaching I always focused on music. At Christmas and in summer we always put on musicals with the students in Tullnerbach.
