The First Word
WHAT DOES A PRINCIPAL DO ALL DAY? By Chad Weiden ‘07
M.Ed. Educational Leadership and Administration Recently overheard in a 7th grade science classroom: Student A: “What does Principal Weiden do all day?” Student B: “I bet he sleeps all day under his desk.”
the form of professional development, to support that growth. Outside of our professional classroom, I have to observe instruction. I give feedback. I coach. I teach. And, a principal is constantly teaching. The days of the omniscient leader, alone in an office, are long gone. As a principal, I see the classroom as my “office.” How can a teacher “teach” from a desk? In order to ensure that students have the best teachers, I have to be in the classroom, watching them teach, celebrating their successes and guiding their reflection when a lesson could have gone better. When I get to school, I grab my laptop and get right to a classroom. As a graduate of National Louis University’s National College of Education, I remain extremely grateful that I am able to engage in the work of the principalship each and every day. It is particularly rewarding when one of your teachers is recognized for their outstanding contributions to the profession as a Golden Apple Awardee, such as NLU graduate Ms. Rozy Patel. Like any good teacher who learns from their students, I am humbled to learn from my staff and watch as they defy the odds by consistently getting better at the work of teaching and learning. So, the next time you see a principal, thank them for persevering in the work of ensuring an excellent teacher for every child.
Student C: “No. I think he plays video games. I heard he is pretty good.”
This interaction above was recently reported to me by one of my middle school teachers. To say there is some misunderstanding regarding the role of the principalship would be a significant understatement. I frequently find myself clarifying the crucial and pivotal role the principal plays in a school. Sometimes, I have to clarify that we are more than the archaic authoritative figure, chained to a desk, who revels in the disciplining of children. Other times, I have to clarify that principals are not ancient elders with a single skill set of school operations and finance. But when someone really asks me what the role of the principal is, the answer is very simple: to ensure that our children have the best teacher in front of them everyday. Although the answer may be simple, the task is complex, challenging and deeply fulfilling. So, how does a principal ensure that every student has the best teacher? They teach. As a teacher, I was constantly thinking about my students’ needs and how I could best adjust my instruction to better fit their needs. To my surprise, I find myself also doing this as a principal. However, I now think of my teachers’ needs and how I can best adjust my instruction to support their growth. Then, I design experiences and activities, in
And what about my students above? It looks like I have some more teaching to do.
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