What should Ms. Bean do first to alleviate stress during the accreditation visit?

Creating faculty committees led by assistant principals is an effective first step to alleviate stress during the accreditation visit. This approach promotes collaboration and shared responsibility, enabling Ms. Bean to distribute the workload among her team. By empowering her assistant principals to lead specific committees, she can ensure that various aspects of the accreditation process are managed efficiently while also allowing her to focus on overarching goals. This strategy encourages faculty involvement and fosters a sense of ownership among staff, which is crucial during high-pressure situations like accreditation.

Delegating tasks appropriately can also enhance communication and coordination, leading to a more organized approach to the visit. Additionally, faculty committees can harness diverse perspectives and expertise, assist in preparation, and provide support, thereby alleviating stress for Ms. Bean.

In contrast, directly asking for assistance from the district office might not immediately address the stressors associated with the upcoming visit and could signal a lack of preparedness. Delegating responsibilities entirely to the vice principal could overwhelm that individual and neglect the value of team involvement. Postponing the accreditation visit is not a feasible solution, as it would likely lead to greater anxiety about future visits and could disrupt the school’s timeline and planning.