What Elementary, Middle, and High
School Principals
Principals serve as the public face of the school and meet
with government officers such as legislators, and members of the community.
Elementary, middle, and high school principals lead teachers and other members
of school staff. They manage the day-to-day operations of elementary, middle,
and high schools. They set goals and objectives and evaluate the school’s
progress toward meeting them.
Duties
·
Elementary, middle, and high school principals
typically do the following:
·
Supervise teachers and other school staff, such
as counselors and librarians
·
Observe and monitor teachers to evaluate their
effectiveness
·
Help teachers improve their teaching skills by
arranging professional development programs and mentorships
·
Ensure that staff have the tools and resources
they need to do their jobs effectively
·
Discipline students and help teachers manage
students’ behavior
·
Meet with parents and teachers to discuss
students’ progress and behavior
·
Review test scores and other data to assess the
school’s progress
·
Manage the school’s budget and finances
·
Ensure school facilities are safe for students
and staff
·
Advocate on behalf of the school to ensure it
has the necessary financial support
Elementary, middle, and high school principals manage the
overall operation of schools, including building maintenance and cafeteria
services. In addition, they set and oversee academic standards and ensure that
teachers have the tools and resources, such as training, necessary to meet
these standards. Principals establish the school as a resource to students and
their families.
Principals serve as the public face of their school. They
meet with government officials such as legislators, and members of the community
to ensure the school has the resources it needs to serve its students. They are
also responsible for responding to the concerns of parents and members of the
community.
The job duties of principals vary by the size of the school
and the school location. In larger schools principals have more resources and
staff to help them achieve goals and meet standards. For example, large school
may have instructional coordinators who help with data analysis and with
teachers' professional development. However, principals in large schools may
have less flexibility and may need to follow rules and guidelines which have
already been set. Those in small school districts need to do all of these
duties themselves and may have more flexibility to try new ideas.
Many schools have assistant principals that help principals
with school administration. Assistant principals often take the lead on student
safety and discipline. They may interact with the students more than the
principal does. In addition, assistant principals may administer student
activities, help coordinate buses, and supervise building and grounds
maintenance. Larger schools may have several assistant principals.
Work Environment
About this section
Elementary, middle, and high school principals
Principals meet with parents and teachers to discuss
students’ progress.
Principals work in public or private elementary, middle, and
high schools. Some work in public magnet and charter schools. Others work in
private religious and secular schools.
Elementary, middle, and high school principals hold
leadership positions with significant responsibility. Working with students may
be rewarding. However, coordinating and interacting with faculty, parents,
students, community members, and state and local policymakers can be demanding.
Principals’ work can sometimes be stressful because they are accountable for
schools meeting state and federal standards for student performance and teacher
qualification.
Work Schedules
Principals typically work full time. They may work in the
evening to meet parents and other members of the community and to attend school
functions, such as concerts and athletic events.
Many principals work year-round and do not have summers off,
even if students are not in school. During the summer, principals prepare for
the upcoming school year, schedule building maintenance, order school supplies,
or hire teachers and staff.
How to Become an Elementary, Middle,
or High School Principal
Master’s degree programs in education administration prepare
students to lead teachers and other staff.
Most schools require elementary, middle, and high school
principals to have a master’s degree in education administration or leadership.
Most principals also have work experience as teachers.
Education
Principals typically need a master’s degree in education
leadership or education administration. These master’s degree programs prepare
future principals to manage teachers and staff, prepare and manage budgets, set
goals, and work with parents and the community.
To enter these programs, candidates typically need a
bachelor’s degree in education, school counseling, or a related field.
Work Experience in a Related Occupation
Candidates for the position
of principal usually need work experience as a teacher. For more information on
how to become a teacher, see the profiles on kindergarten and elementary school
teachers, middle school teachers, and high school teachers.
Advancement
An assistant principal can advance to become a principal.
Some principals advance to become superintendents, which may require completion
of additional education. Others become instructional coordinators.
Important Qualities
Communication skills.
Principals must communicate effectively with students, teachers, and parents.
For example, when dealing with student disciplinary or academic issues, they
consult with and listen to parents and teachers to understand the problem.
Critical-thinking
skills. Principals analyze student test results and testing procedures to
determine any improvements to help students achieve better results.
Decision-making
skills. Because principals are responsible for students, staff members, and
the overall operation of the school, they consider many factors when making
decisions. For example, they consider the safety of students and staff when
making a recommendation to close a school before a snowstorm.
Interpersonal skills.
Because principals work with teachers, parents, and superintendents, they must
be able to develop positive working relationships with them.
Leadership skills.
Principals set educational goals and establish policies and procedures for the
school. They need to be able to motivate teachers and other staff to achieve
set goals.
Problem-solving
skills. Teachers, students, and other staff members report problems to the
principal. Principals need to be able to analyze problems, and develop and
implement solutions.
Similar Occupation
Career and Technical
Education Teachers: Career
and technical education teachers instruct students in various technical and
vocational subjects, such as auto repair, healthcare, and culinary arts. They
teach academic and technical content to provide students with the skills and
knowledge necessary to enter an occupation. Bachelor’s
degree
High School Teachers: High school teachers help prepare students
for life after graduation. They teach academic lessons and various skills that
students will need to attend college and to enter the job market. Bachelor’s degree
Instructional
Coordinators: Instructional
coordinators oversee school curriculums and teaching standards. They develop
instructional material, coordinate its implementation with teachers and
principals, and assess its effectiveness.
Kindergarten and
Elementary School Teachers Kindergarten
and elementary school teachers prepare younger students for future schooling by
teaching them basic subjects such as math and reading Bachelor’s degree
Librarians: Librarians help people find
information and conduct research for personal and professional use. Their job
duties may change based on the type of library they work in, such as public,
school, and medical libraries.
Middle School
Teachers: Middle school
teachers educate students, typically in sixth through eighth grades. Middle school teachers help students build on
the fundamentals they learned in elementary school and prepare them for the
more difficult curriculum they will face in high school.
Post-secondary Education Administrators: Post-secondary
education administrators oversee student services, academics, and faculty
research at colleges and universities. Their job duties vary depending on the
area of the college they manage, such as admissions, student life, or the
office of the registrar.
Post-secondary Teachers: Post secondary
teachers instruct students in a wide variety of academic and vocational
subjects beyond the high school level. They also conduct research and publish
scholarly papers and books.
Preschool and
Childcare Center Directors: Preschool
and childcare center directors direct and lead staffs, oversee daily
activities, and prepare plans and budgets. They are responsible for all aspects
of their center’s program.
Preschool Teachers: Preschool teachers educate and care for
children, usually ages 3 to 5, who have not yet entered kindergarten. They
teach reading, writing, science, and other subjects in a way that young
children can understand.
School and Career
Counselors: School counselor’s help
students develop social skills and succeed in school. Career counselors assist
people with the process of making career decisions, by helping them choose a
career or educational program.
Special Education
Teachers: Special education
teachers work with students who have a wide range of learning, mental,
emotional, and physical disabilities. They adapt general education lessons and
teach various subjects, such as reading, writing, and math, to students with
mild and moderate disabilities. They also teach basic skills, such as literacy
and communication techniques, to students with severe disabilities.
Teacher Assistants: Teacher assistants work under a
teacher’s supervision to give students additional attention and instruction.
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