Send home ESSA Report Cards for last year. Groups such as the PTA, the local collective bargaining union and its representatives, and the informal faculty leaders at each school all hold political capital. 2. Listen. The varimax rotation method was then used to determine which items loaded most highly onto which of the retained factors. December 2018 Meet with financial secretary to establish structures and procedures. He smiled as I rattled off a laundry list of items I both knew I needed to accomplish and that I would never have time to actually fulfill. New principals need to walk the talk. It is important that a new principal be aware of his or her leadership style and adjust it when situations call for it. More often than not, those questions fall into one of these four categories: We spend an incredible amount of time asking teachers to give of themselves at school. 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. Principalsnot othersmust be in control of their own time. is introduced at the beginning of the school year to the class(es) they will be working in Explain who to call in the event of illness Provide E.A. Establishing relationships equips you with the ability to engage people in a meaningful way and increases your ability to be successful. The ceiling for your own professional growth is in your hands. This year, in particular, many of us have learned the importance of self-care. Though that trust must be earned, your work as an AP is far from overwhen you reach that point. Thanks for your article. Assistant principals should coordinate standardized testing activities in order to ensure that they are conducted smoothly and efficiently. with the Assistant Principal and Guidance Counselor, noting accommodations provided in IEPs. Let him or her take the ball and run with it, keeping you updated. Completely new product 3-13-15 The answer key. This approach can be a non-intrusive way to professionally develop your teachers without constantly flooding their inboxes with "must read" editorials (although the occasional article sent via email isn't such a bad thing). To download the free checklist, just complete the short form on the right, and we will send it to you right away. There is a massive variety of professional learning opportunities available for assistant principalsthe most available and promising is the person in your very own building, your principal. This includes time each day to be present in classrooms and hallways. Business Most significant, Ive enjoyed this very important work and look forward to my next 100 days. Establish a community book group which will draw together parents and teachers (these will be facilitated by the . His most recent publication was The Elementary School Principal's Calendar: A Month-By-Month Planner for the School Year. Take notes and check that you're "getting it." Year 1: Mentees will receive 40 hours of 1:1 mentoring, 7.5 of which are direct support through our mentor program virtual implementation sessions. These pictures were posted outside the principal's office, and teachers often used them as "remember when" story starters. Ideas, Inspiration, and Giveaways for Teachers, Practical advice, inspiration, and tools for K-12 school leaders. Mark attended a parentteacher association (PTA) meeting with Caroline, and both spoke about their commitment to children and to the school. A good read. Pinterest. I'm the new superintendent. Principal will and the PTA will develop more focused parent engagement initiatives such as parent education sessions (facilitated by teachers). My mentor is a retired principal with 21 years of experience under her belt. Atherton, CA. I think most administrators and schools should be encouraging much more action research by teachers. 2. This forced me to see myself as a learner. :C1X1RpA2fkLYD4 A graduate course in theories of leadership may provide a theoretical base for how one is to behave effectively. You received the exciting call saying that you are the new principal. Take the time to ask your principal to observe or facilitate tasks that may not be traditional to the assistant principal role. Discover ASCD's Professional Learning Services. What a great article! 12. available to help principals work smarter and faster in many aspects of the job as a school administrator. Lots of research (much of it by Karen Stout) shows that a longer, more-relaxed lunch is better for students and also reduces behavior problems while improving learning. endobj Trust is critical, and trust comes from being honest about who you are as a leader. What would you try if money or time werent barriers? A new principal offers four lessons learned from her first year in the role. Get to Know Your Staff Relationships are important. Additionally, this checklist should be completed with appropriate modifications for Educators who have received a promotion or transitioned to another role. The most unlikely corners of a school's culture can have symbolic value. Spend a great deal of time in classrooms, being as non-evaluative as you can. It is a marathon. Probe for deeper meanings. Of course, their personal phone number must be available to key personnel in case of a crisis. Teachers will be watching you. Hang it in a part of the office where you will see it frequently to remind you what is guiding your work. Dan got some good advice. How can I help in moving us forward if I dont see first-hand what our strengths and needs are. This is not sufficient to grant a thorough understanding of the expenditures, revenues, and allocations of resources. All rights reserved. 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. Save the office work for before and after school hours (when youre less likely to be disturbed) to cut down on disruptions and to ensure that paperwork is accurate and coherent. When we compromise our core, we compromise our ability to serve others fully. 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. The work of building a really good school is an endless journey. This is an encouraging blog to help assistant principals find their voice and strength in their role on campus! Activate UW Email and 2FA/DUO. Oversee fall schedule development 5. Review and check summer maintenance 6. Six weeks into the school year, a new assistant principal was appointed to our school. Commit to the development and mentoring of aspiring school administrators that includes providing professional guidance and support for the principal intern. However, putting theory into practice requires much training and reflection. I believe that most teachers are more concerned with the new administrator validating their work, as opposed to wanting to be awed by that administrator's expertise. The . Excellence in this area alone wont create lasting relationships and trust, but it will steadily increase your credibility youve developed with the staff. First, they support the principal in the administrative operation of a school. For example, if the majority of teachers possess a negative attitude toward something, don't ignore it. A new principal must provide social/emotional instruction to students and be familiar with current research-based models. It's true that you need to learn how everything runs and that the buck's final home is on your desk. Eldridge Principal Entry Plan 6 Organize Welcome Back Social: positive recognition for a job well done and team building activities 8/16/17- 8/18/17 Review staff handbook, assessment schedule, professional development schedule, school year calendar, building schedule matrix, mission and goals of district and A positive student-teacher relationship is much more important than doling out consequences and is the cornerstone of future positive behavioral outcomes. I make sure to engage in the stories of their vacations and talk as long as they want. As you leave school for the day, stop by a few classrooms and make small talk. Asking these questions isnt magic, but its a great start for developing relationships through conversations with staff. Share some of your own dreams. Assistant principals should familiarize themselves with the school's policies and procedures in order to effectively carry out their duties. Moving The First 100 Days of a First-Year Principal, Online Course: Principal Leadership forTheEarlyGrades, National Mentor Training and Certification Program, Assistant Principal Community of Practice, Early Career Principal Community of Practice, National Distinguished Principal Program, National Outstanding Assistant Principal Program, American Student Council Association (ASCA), Student Council School of Excellence Award, Presidents Education Awards Program (PEAP), National Elementary Honors Society (NEHS), SEL Leadership Cohort: Cultivating Healthy Relationships in the Workplace, 5 Fun Ways to Instill a Love of History in Kids, Online Course: Principal Leadership for The Early Grades. 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. 1200 First Street, NE | Washington, DC 20002 | T 202.442.5885| F 202.442.5026 | dcps.dc.gov School Year 2019-2020 . I was an AP for 10 years, so I appreciate your perspective. As I embark on my first year as a vice principal, these are helpful tips! Get to know everyone on a personal level. You're the "new kid," and learning is your first agenda. In larger school systems, a head teacher principal is often assisted by someone known as a vice-principal, deputy principal, or assistant/associate principal. How does the school celebrate holidays and staff birthdays? Update Personal Information. Surviving the first year of a principalship is a challenge. Great blog post. Do teachers slip out before the buses have finished loading studentsor do they hang around helping kids? To do that, you have to take the time to ask good questions and put your to-do list of important things on hold long enough to really listen to whats urgent for the teachers you serve. Yes, Im working on schedules, data, upcoming PD But if they pop in my office to say hello, I stop everything. As the days went by in my first year as an assistant principal, I was reminded often how much I did not know. If you'd like to share your own thoughts, start a blog and disseminate your posts through Facebook or possibly via email. C&M|36L0$SZ0!b[g2D)!5FS&cU/St4:h}H3#4c)Dxbqi@"eV@( :+FeV.`T`t uR0%V`!3s"gNdXQ\iw\ |eBP|+y;NU6+ 9iI54Ndbxb[5Ee;Usayrno8ZWII.j2qc'|EoL&*~|3#-bRjg|Nw6Lp|8gmfr2o7x{5Y^q +u^~S }3s-{U((b{E6Zd~J5Hb.WV Good schools cannot be built quickly. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Your first agenda and needs are, they support the principal in the stories of vacations! Research-Based models effectively carry out their duties `` remember when '' story.! That the buck 's final home is on your desk into the school 's policies and in. Were posted outside the principal in the role are as a learner time in classrooms, being as as! 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