Are you interested in advancing your career in education?
If you have experience and strong leadership skills, the role of Principal could be for you. It is important to have a love for teaching and the desire to make a positive impact on young lives. While the career can be very rewarding, it can also be challenging. Therefore, it is important to take a look at the requirements.
If you are still wondering, ‘what does a Principal do?’, then it’s time to find out…
Contents
The Working Environment
Principals are usually the heads of an educational facility. This could be a private or public school, a charter school, or a magnet school. In some institutions, this role is called a head of school or head teacher.
Some principals mainly stay in their office and guide operations from there. Others take a more hands-on approach and regularly observe and even teach classes. They may even run certain projects and school clubs. Most work long hours and from early in the morning until the evening.
Staying involved is important…
They work closely with vice principals, other educators, parents, and students. They also attend meetings held by institutions such as the American Education Board.
What Does A Principal Do? – Key Duties And Responsibilities
The main responsibilities will vary slightly, depending on where you work. The key duty is leading the educational institution and providing guidance and support. Other main duties and responsibilities include:
Academic leadership
One of the most significant roles is overseeing all academic aspects within the institution. This includes hiring, mentoring, and evaluating teachers regularly. Conducting regular classroom observations to evaluate students and assess teachers.
You will be charged with making decisions related to the curriculum. This includes determining new instructional techniques and programs. When new textbooks are released, you will evaluate them and decide which ones to adopt.
Inspiring teachers and students…
You will find and arrange learning opportunities for both teachers and students throughout the year. For teachers, this will include training, professional development opportunities, and conferences. The Conferences are hosted by institutions such as the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.
Opportunities for students include arranging assemblies, inviting guest speakers, and pep rallies. Arranging apprenticeships and service-learning opportunities can help boost their academic success. You will also facilitate tutoring programs, attend science fairs, and lead community meetings.
Strategic Planning
You will have to review and approve all activities that take place at this institution. Carefully plan the academic calendar for the upcoming year and approve any new programs. You will work closely with human resources when new teachers need to be hired.
The recruitment, admission, and retention of students is an important part of this role. You will be charged with reporting on the number of students as well as yearly growth. It is essential to stay up-to-date on the latest district, state, and federal education laws.
Keeping up appearances…
Part of strategic planning is overseeing the different institution buildings and making sure they are in good condition. If repairs need to be made, you will have to allocate the funds to cover them. You will work closely with maintenance technicians.
Building Community
It is essential to secure and foster the support of outside entities such as the school board and PTA. Attend regular meetings in the community, play an active role, and present a positive image at all times. You will also serve as a liaison between educational companies, heads of the community, staff, and students.
Supporting Students
It is important to get to know your students and develop programs that support different types of learners. This includes arranging special services for students that are falling behind and arranging advanced academic opportunities for others. You also need to provide emotional support and encouragement for certain students when they need it.
Financial Stewardship
There is a lot of administrative work that goes with this role. One of the most important of these is setting and maintaining the financial budget for the institution. When necessary, you will need to find ways to secure funding.
Carefully review the payroll and benefits costs of the institution each year. This includes being able to take the lead in making budget cuts when necessary. This will help make sure all staff members receive a fair salary.
Important Personal Traits
Before you decide to settle on a career in school leadership, you need to make sure you have the right skills. The hard skills that are needed will be taught during your formal education course. Here are some of the main personal skills and traits that you will also need to do the job well.
Leadership
Above all else, you need to be a strong leader. This includes speaking and acting with authority while also being approachable. You need to listen carefully to teachers, students, and parents and be able to make tough decisions when necessary.
Communication
You need to be able to share your ideas clearly, both verbally and in written form, such as clear and detailed reports. You also need to be comfortable leading meetings and must develop active listening skills.
Innovation
You need to have excellent problem-solving skills to do this job well. Come up with both short-term and long-term solutions to issues that arise. Being able to think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions will serve you well in this role.
Trustworthiness
It is essential to make sure that the people who you work with can trust you to act appropriately. Both students and educators need to be able to go to you with their concerns. They must be certain that you will keep important information confidential when necessary.
Impartiality
Your main duty is to make sure that the institution runs smoothly. When conflicts arise, you must be able to help resolve them without bias. This includes making sure that you establish fair and consistent discipline policies.
Enthusiasm
You need to encourage students and educators to work hard for the good of everyone. This includes celebrating the achievements of students and honoring the work of teachers. You must be enthusiastic about your work and inspire other people to want to take on more responsibility.
Flexibility
It is important to be able to adapt to different situations as they arise. This includes monitoring the needs of students and teachers and making sure they are met. You will need to change tactics at times to support stakeholders and parents.
How To Become A Principal
If you have your sights set on this career, you need to be focused and ready to work hard. It can take several years to gain the skills and experience you need. Here are the main steps you should take on your path to becoming a Principal.
Complete formal education
You need to hold at least a bachelor’s degree to lead an educational institution. After earning a degree in education, most future Principals gain a master’s degree. This will give you the advanced knowledge you need to make insightful decisions.
Gain teaching experience
Working as a teacher for at least a few years will help you understand the role. As well as the needs of different students and how to adapt to them. A good leader must have in-depth knowledge of different roles within the educational institution.
Get Certified
Before you can advance to this role, you will need to earn a school administration credential or license. This is in addition to your teaching license. It is worth considering a program that combines principal licensure and a master’s degree.
Gain school leadership experience
After gaining teaching experience, you will probably advance to the role of Vice Principal. This will allow you to work closely with the head of an institution and observe their work. Becoming a school board representative or leading a department are also good stepping stones on your career path.
Networking
Joining a professional organization such as the National Education Association will help you make valuable connections. Most of these associations hold regular networking events where you can meet school leaders. This will give you the chance to gain valuable information that can lead to a job.
Additional Opportunities In Education
Why not make a difference in a child’s life and teach for a living? It is a very satisfying career!
I’ve put together a variety of career guides such as our Teacher Job Description, our Teacher Assistant Job Description, and most common Teaching Assistant Interview Questions, as well as our Pre K Teacher Job Description, our Childcare Teacher Job Description, and our Montessori Teacher Job Description in 2023.
Perhaps you’re looking to work part-time? Then take a look at our Substitute Teacher Job Description, along with the Best Summer Jobs For Teachers, or if you work from home, check out the Best Companies That Hire For Remote Education Jobs and our Online ESL Teacher Job Description.
If you’ve had some trouble in the past, you’ll want to find out Can A Felon Become A School Teacher before moving forward.
What Does A Principal Do? – Final Thoughts
Working as a Principal can be a richly rewarding career. You would have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of students and the community. Set significant goals and work with the community to help achieve them.
However, you need to be prepared to put in long hours if you choose to do this job. There is a lot of pressure to make sure students perform at the optimum level. The average salary for this role is around $100,000 per year.
All the very best with your new job as a Principal!
