Advice for New Principals

Many new principals each year embark on their careers each year. For many of these individuals this job choice has been a lifelong dream. Principals are the ultimate administrators within a school environment. They have one of the most diverse jobs in the educational system. Men and women who tackle this job are responsible for budgeting. They are expected to maintain a budget and to even save money.

In today's society, this responsibility may be one of the schools' most important. Budgeting may require that a principal hire teachers. In some instances, they will be expected to fire them or other school workers.

Principals are expected to become teacher resources in the education process. They provide a support system for the teachers in their school, along with becoming a problem solver. Principals are expected to enforce school rules and codes of conduct. This requires a direct relationship with students. A principal is required to not only exhibit authority, but friendship as well. Students must feel comfortable brining their problems to their principals and instructors. This makes a principal a problem solver of sorts. In this role, one would expect a principal to be a good communicator.

Open lines of communication with teachers and students are required to run a school successfully. New principals have a lot of information to absorb. Important advice for new principals includes understanding the facets of their job. They must also understand the expectations of their school and school board. Along with responsibilities, new principals must enter this job will a bit of certainty.

This assurance will be paramount to becoming the best principal possible. As the leader of a school, a principal displays commitment. This commitment should be seen on a daily basis inside the school setting. Dedication to the overall learning process is another factor to this job. Principals are in fact teachers themselves. They have a responsibility to take on the role of teacher in respect to their instructors and students.

The best way to implement your philosophy, belief systems, and principles is to set an example. The example that principals live set the tone for the school's environment. This makes a principal a good leader, administrator, and teacher. New principals have to admit to the fact that this is a new process for them. They are still learning themselves as the settle into the job of principal. Overtime relationships will strengthen and respect will be earned.

Principals have the challenge of balancing each of their roles. They also have the challenge of balancing authority with leniency. These objectives will assist new principals in the process of building their role. This role does in fact have to be built and earned. It will not happen overnight, but over the space of time. Students, teachers, and other workers will learn of you, and learn from you. Remaining consistent may be one of the most important details about the job of principal. This will be one of the helpful tools to ensure the success of your career in this field.

More Information For Educators That are New to Management

1. Academy of Professional Skills Development
2. Advanced Team Concepts
3. Association for Leadership Development
4. Best Practices Online
5. i2i Training for Managers
6. Leadership University- This site offers a great deal of advice for leaders.
7. The Five P's of Leadership- A nice article.