Ideas, Inspiration, and Giveaways for Teachers, Practical advice, inspiration, and tools for K-12 school leaders. The pounding of your heart is half excitement, half apprehension. 7:00 am: Arrive at school. To enforce the shared responsibility for discipline, principals should insist that teachers join them in responding to students who misbehave in the classroom. A new principal offers four lessons learned from her first year in the role. Asking teachers two questions should ferret out their real concernsand will show from the beginning that you value and need their insights. Relationships are important. . One area in which I believe we often fall short is taking ownership of our professional growth. Home I was an AP for 10 years, so I appreciate your perspective. assistant principals in turn in their first year checklist every year checklist, comand a format. Much respect for leading like you do and helping others become better. Listening is one I would add to the list. Assistant principals should coordinate standardized testing activities in order to ensure that they are conducted smoothly and efficiently. July/August 2016 Disseminate class lists to teachers. Finally, I was surprised to see that cutting a lunch period out of the schedule would produce only 25 minutes. Take notes and check that you're "getting it." This leadership position includes interactions with students, and administered state TERRA NOVA testing. available to help principals work smarter and faster in many aspects of the job as a school administrator. So much uncertainty in the APs role. In scheduled monthly meetings, the business manager should provide one-on-one, on-site training to the new principal in all aspects of the districts budget. I am also fortunate to work in a small school district, where the superintendent is accessible via phone and email. Be on committees with teachers. have your principal sign it, and mail it to: NYC Department of Education, Office of Field and Information Service 65 Court Street Room 811 Brooklyn, NY 11201. . "They'll love it." As you leave school for the day, stop by a few classrooms and make small talk. Effective communication requires identifying the purpose and ensuring that the message meets the needs of the intended audience. Matching our practice with our message builds trust with teachers. Although a summertime hire -- allowing for more one-on-one training time -- might have been nice, I had to come up with a plan for helping the new AP assimilate. 11. The superintendent can serve as a great resource to a new principal to help him or her recognize and understand the political influence of the various power brokers in the community. Take time to get to know teachers in the classroom and out. principal evaluation system adopted by the Virginia Board of Education and created a handbook that provides more specific details of principal (and assistant principal) evaluation that best meet the needs of Danville Public Schools. Listen more than you talk the first time you meet those with whom you will work. If were going to ask teachers to customize and individualize learning in the classroom, we need to be ready to do the same for our staff. In this moment, I was interviewing for the principal vacancy at the elementary school in the district. As a fourth-grade teacher, I once had the pleasure of working with a phenomenal assistant superintendent. Year 2: Mentees will receive 30 hours of 1:1 mentoring, 7.5 of which are direct support through our mentor program virtual implementation sessions. That is special! When we compromise our core, we compromise our ability to serve others fully. When communicating with teachers, it's important that your conversation doesn't just focus on the job itself. Also, if a teacher asks what you are doing, be transparent. 3. For instance: Do less talking and more listening, but don't stop there. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Im happy they want to share with me and I can always stay late if I need to. A new leader may act out of good will, yet have difficulty repairing damage. with the school year calendar and school map Identify where an E.A. Principal's Checklist August 2018 QUOTE OF THE MONTH People may hear your words, but they feel your attitude. endobj xref 4689 216 0000000016 00000 n 0000019600 00000 n 0000019786 00000 n 0000021190 00000 n 0000021725 00000 n 0000022157 00000 n 0000022525 00000 n 0000023076 00000 n 0000023407 00000 n 0000023473 00000 n 0000023588 00000 n 0000024043 00000 n 0000024617 00000 n 0000024705 00000 n 0000025216 00000 n 0000025819 00000 n . I hope you end up managing each of those pulls well this year. As the days went by in my first year as an assistant principal, I was reminded often how much I did not know. Although they still carry nearly the same authority among students . Now what do I do?". Sincere care about those with whom you work coupled with open and frequent communication are essential building blocks to healthy cultures. Field Tip: Get an accountability partner. What are you tired of learning about in faculty meetings? Consider participating in instructional learning opportunities so that you can continue to grow as a resource for teachers. The goal was to get me away from the leadership style of guiding dialogue and toward the style of actively listening. PRINCIPAL-MENTOR ROLE In accepting a principal intern, the Principal-Mentor will: 1. That makes a difference. Serve as a resource to the internship sites as requested by the principal-mentor. Wrong. Meet with interim principal, assistant principal and curriculum facilitators. Field Tip: When you need to communicate, start by identifying the purpose and critical information. Great article. What is more complicated with the new schedule? All leaders know the power of buy in, but its not always the quickest road to a solution. Some complaints belong in your office immediately. Other teachers might become inspired and start blogs of their own, or have their students start blogging. Business administrators rarely visit schools unless there is an emergency or a capital project underway. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. What do you want to learn about during faculty meetings? However, investing in these relationships will play huge dividends when you're ready to promote change. Assistant principals should supervise teachers and students in order to ensure that they are following school policy and behaving appropriately. Use the opportunity for informal conversations. We often hear the phrase, My door is always open. While the use of that phrase suggests that the leader should always be accessible, it violates the essential principle of good time management. This forced me to see myself as a learner. Let him or her take the ball and run with it, keeping you updated. Providing opportunities that support and increase the academic and social success of each and every student. Share some of your own dreams. It will be your job to restore the school to health. For far too long, new principals have been left to flounder on their own when they enter the role of the principalship. Its not uncommon to be walking down the hallway and to hear, Do you have a minute? As much as I can, I answer, yes, sure. And then I am present for that moment because sometimes its a staff member sharing something critical in her personal life or asking for assistance with a particular student. This is an encouraging blog to help assistant principals find their voice and strength in their role on campus! 354 0 obj
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January 2019 Communicate the Principal Entry Plan to staff members (via e-mail and The hours can be long, and you often shoulder the burdens of those you serve. You never know who it might encourage! Welcome New Staff: Plan and schedule your new teacher summer in-service. Changing the culture of a school is a long, hard process. Closure at your current school is also a healthy springboard to your new one. Believe it or not, principals can be too accessible, to the detriment of their own health and personal relationships. For admins just starting out, its helpful to establish relationships, visit classrooms, understand others, flatten the hierarchy, and become an active social media presence. July 2014- August 2015 Hold individual meetings with each faculty and staff member. Explain: Other challenges include: -5- Since then, I have always tried to get a head start on finishing my end-of-the-year checklist. Im still looking for my first AP leadership position. Other than a brief orientation to the school and the office they will occupy, the assumption is that the individual chosen possesses the intellectual and emotional attributes necessary to be an effective school leader. Touch device users, explore by touch or with swipe . Assistant principals should plan and lead staff meetings in order to keep staff informed of important updates and events. The role of assistant principal comes with many responsibilities. 1. 2. A new principal offers four lessons learned from her first year in the role. Assistant principals who develop lasting, trusting relationships with their staff build on a foundation created by doing their job and doing it well. Asking about a teachers family can help us get to know teachers as a whole just like we often ask them to do with their students. I think most administrators and schools should be encouraging much more action research by teachers. Once a fourth-grade teacher, I recently began my work as an elementary assistant principal in another district. I know that my relationships with my staff have continued to improve and strengthen. Of course, their personal phone number must be available to key personnel in case of a crisis. The assistant principalship is incredibly rewarding. And I appreciate your commitment to thriving in your role. $h591j}R3xW$i>"B3Yu`O'_nbYynbXY2uP The pupil personnel director, school counselors, and school psychologists can assist in establishing and maintaining a healthy social and emotional school climate. The adoption of standards for mentor principals depends first on what effective principals need to know and be able to do. Hold a get to know the assistant principal night or day.something like that. <>/XObject<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>>
The brutal truth was that I did not have balance. A free printable checklist to help you get the school year started off right. It is the way your staff will feel valued. Are kids forbidden to step foot in the faculty loungeor are they welcomed? This takes a long time. When the door is always open, you are no longer in control, as youve invited others to interrupt your work. This first year is the hardest as every "first-year" is. An AP needs a foundation of credibility before he can earn the relational capital that creates trust. Send home ESSA Report Cards for last year. They are critical for teachers and students, teachers and parents, parents and administrators, and administrators and teachers. Oversee fall schedule development 5. Review and check summer maintenance 6. Job Type: Full Time (40 hours/week), Non-Exempt/Hourly.Weekend availability required (Saturdays and Sundays Required/Available for Special Occasions . An Inclusion Journey, Father/Son Leadership, Small Schools, Hi-Cap, and more in this issue of Washington Principal. His most recent publication was The Elementary School Principal's Calendar: A Month-By-Month Planner for the School Year. Time managementits an essential skill often talked about but rarely examined thoroughly. I sure prefer the latter, but that isnt something you often stumble yourself into. Just as teachers should never forget what it's like to be a student, administrators should never forget what it's like to be a teacher. Set some goals for improvement in the areas where you need the most growth, and after some time has passed, ask for input again. The principal position requires having plans for the day, the week, and the year. 1615 Duke Street Alexandria, VA 22314 703-684-3345 Contact Us, 2023 National Association of Elementary School Principals | Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions | Copyright and I.P. Finally, as an instructional leader, you have to walk the walk. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. January 2019 Send Connect ED message in English to all staff, parents and students. Supporting K-12 educational programs for Washington state students. Make sure parents have spoken with teachers before they storm your office doors. f\d
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qa6Y@}-ZSA}:=,Z)\ Then, make a plan. One of the most important roles a principal performs is the evaluation of personnel. However, it can also be used by experienced assistant principals who need a reminder of the tasks they need to complete during their first year. Zero in on those issues that directly affect teaching and learning. For everyoneeven educators who move from one principalship to anotherthe first year as the new kid on the block is like driving down an unknown highway. Follow Dr. McEwan's seven steps for effective communication with your staff. New to building leadership? Note: The Principal/AP and Superintendent/designee (evaluator) agree on components of the meeting and confirm the level of performance. However, trust your instincts. Teachers will be watching you. Grand visions of turning around a school are noble and possibly necessary, but such change should not be the first item on your agenda. not intended to be a checklist. Theres a difference in feeling capable at a job and feeling that you thrive in it. Assign . ::h!4t 5I:4 Z7FILg1ef|E|RqJG7pQ]NJu~(/S}@'kJKa?\O When advocacy is needed, it's invaluable to have friends in the central office. The list for this particular school had about thirty items on it. Talk to me about a particular student; whats working, whats not, and what is the best support I can offer to help him keep learning in your classroom? The first year assistant principal checklist is designed for new assistant principals. Your work is to build a school that meets the needs of students and becomes a community of educators dedicated to that purpose. My main takeaway is being available. Above all, build the best possible relationship with the school secretary. One person's idea is no better than another's simply because he or she has a "higher-up" job title, and certain responsibilities should not belong entirely to specific workers just because they happen to be in a department that has traditionally taken care of such tasks. When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. The people you meet with will no doubt repeat your words to others through their own lenses. It is important to prioritize your day every day. During budget season, ask to review the budget and discuss how priorities were set and allocated. As the years go by and we become more and more comfortable in what we do, it's important to not lose sight of what got us there in the first place. <>>>
Ill be the first to say that each path toward trust is unique, but its never bad to start by managing the referrals that come your way fairly and efficiently, committing to being a learner in your leadership role, and moving toward each new year looking for ways to serve students and teachers in new ways. What you, as new principal, own entirely, however, is your own integrity and ability to listen (and therefore to stop talking). Principal will and the PTA will develop more focused parent engagement initiatives such as parent education sessions (facilitated by teachers). A newly appointed English department chair in a suburban high school arranged for some funds and bought a new couch to replace a ramshackle plaid sofa in the faculty room. Probe for deeper meanings. Robert L. Furman(furman@castl.duq.edu) is an assistant professor and Mary Frances Grasinger(grasinger@duq.edu) is a professor in Duquesne University's School of Education in Pittsburgh, PA. 1. Review all personnel records. Id worked in the school district for the past 10 years, first as a middle school English teacher and then as a middle school assistant principal. Assistant principals should evaluate teacher performance in order to provide feedback and make recommendations for improvement. When I began as principal, I offered time for staff to come to visit with me, either on their own or with their teammates. The relationships you developed at your old school will reappear in your professional life. 2. Field Tip: Make a list focused on your leadership responsibilities (e.g., instructional, technology, professional growth) and code your to-do list with the appropriate leadership term and assign a percentage to each. Invite people to a Twitter chat, help out with an EdCamp, create a Voxer group to highlight great things happening on campus. True onboarding of an Educator 3. Field Tip: Develop personal professional growth goals each year. Get to know everyone on a personal level.