he might ask - and a correct answer wins an ice cream coupon. On one hand, its an odd result, given, as the Gallup study notes, that the U.S. devotes a larger share of its GDP to education than any other developed nation. After one statewide "Florida Writes!" Bonti has also seen how a principal can create a learning-friendly atmosphere that breeds enthusiasm among teachers and students. That differential use of time allows teachers to continually get better at what they're doing. Unfortunately, there is a political component to being a principal. Seashore Louis, Leithwood et al., 92. "My expectations have increased every year," she told the researchers. "There's a tradition of teachers who are really excellent exemplars in the classroom of saying, 'I don't want to be a principal because it has nothing to do with instruction,'" says Linda Darling-Hammond, a leading authority on education policy and the teaching profession. https://www.thoughtco.com/what-are-some-pros-and-cons-of-being-a-principal-3194531 (accessed June 30, 2023). The transition is quickin one day you move from a teacher contract to an administrative contract. Meador, Derrick. There are certain defining characteristics that a good principal will possess. Principals themselves agree almost unanimously on the importance of several specific practices, according to one survey, including keeping track of teachers' professional development needs and monitoring teachers' work in the classroom (83 percent).32 Whether they call it formal evaluation, classroom visits or learning walks, principals intent on promoting growth in both students and adults spend time in classrooms (or ensure that someone who's qualified does), observing and commenting on what's working well and what is not. He took the finding to other departments, so they knew to incorporate the results in their writing assignments. Even if they were consistent in a district, they were not based Preparing School Leaders for a Changing World: Lessons From Exemplary Leadership Development Programs - Final Report, Linda Darling-Hammond, Michelle LaPointe, Debra Meyerson, Margaret Terry Orr and Carol Cohen. Prepare a short answer and learn it for your interview. 11. Most importantly, mention your efforts to improve. Only in the last few decades has the emphasis shifted to academic expectations for all. "I asked people to be about leadership. Principals of schools must address the biggest challenges so students can learn better. No two days are ever alike. It provides you with the opportunity to implement the vision that you have for your school. That sometimes means reorganizing the school organization so that it supports the work in a more productive way. An online EdS degree program is a particularly good choice if youre currently working in the education field and do not want to leave or suspend your current job. As part of a large study of the U.S. education system, Gallup polled a general audience of U.S. adults as well as parents of school-aged children to determine the biggest problem in their local schools. the leader. Walden University is an accredited institution offering an online EdS in Educational Leadership and Administration (Principal Preparation) degree program. It is possible to be an effective teacher in a poorly led school but it's not easy. If you do not feel you can handle the cons, stay away from this profession. Except for the most entrepreneurial, principals are unlikely to proceed with a leadership style focused on learning if the district and state are unsupportive, disinterested or pursuing other agendas. We addressed the following specific questions: 1) What are your school leader's weak characteristics as a school leader? Its components include things like consistent and well-defined learning expectations for children, frequent conversations among teachers about pedagogy, and an atmosphere in which it's common for teachers to visit one another's classrooms to observe and critique instruction.27. Research behind VAL-ED (the Vanderbilt Assessment of Leadership in Education tool to assess principal performance, developed by researchers at Vanderbilt University) suggests that there are six key steps - or "processes" - that the effective principal takes when carrying out his or her most important leadership responsibilities: planning, implementing, supporting, advocating, communicating and monitoring.40 The school leader pressing for high academic standards would, for example, map out rigorous targets for improvements in learning (planning), get the faculty on board to do what's necessary to meet those targets (implementing), encourage students and teachers in meeting the goals (supporting), challenge low expectations and low district funding for students with special needs (advocating), make sure families are aware of the learning goals (communicating), and keep on top of test results (monitoring).41. These include respect for every member of the school community; "an upbeat, welcoming, solution-oriented, no-blame, professional environment;" and efforts to involve staff and students in a variety of activities, many of them schoolwide.12. Central Office Transformation for District-Wide Teaching and Learning Improvement, University of Washington, 2010. A rule of thumb is that a principal should be in place about five to seven years in order to have a beneficial impact on a school. More than 50 million students attend public schools in the U.S.* With this many students, its no surprise that school administrators deal with a number of complications. Respecting the opportunities for teachers to be efficacious in their teaching by giving them the opportunities, the tools and the relationship time with students to be able to be successful [is very important]. Be aggressive about finding the right support and training for yourself. "In the great scheme of things," noted one research report, "schools may be relatively small organizations. They also have several conferences and professional development duties they are required to attend. 16. Today, Education World does its own survey. Bonti finds the value in the new ways both self-evident and inspiring. There are also occasions where you may be pressured into making a decision that makes you uncomfortable. LH: What advice would you give teachers to become part of the process of making their schools better places? Specifically, they say, "The research literature over the last quarter century has consistently supported the notion that having high expectations for all, including clear and public standards, is one key to closing the achievement gap between advantaged and less advantaged students and for raising the overall achievement of all students. You will often be the lead decision-maker. The evaluation of students is considered as a key factor in school reformation and improvement in education and learning (Seif, 2010). There are plenty of pros to being a school principal, from a hefty annual salary to the control you have over school programs as well as the ability to have a lasting impact. "Number two, seek out the best preparation you can find for instructional management, for organizational development, for change management - for these things that we know matter because Without effective principals, the national goal we've set of transforming failing schools will be next to impossible to achieve. 15. In our efforts to develop the profession, we have to make sure that kind of learning is available to everyone. 10. Some interviewers may actually consider them your strengths. He makes sure breakfast is available. "He kept spreadsheets on who attended - or missed - every meeting," Bonti said. As the school leader, you will have more control over virtually every aspect of your building. Sara Kay Bonti describes one of her early principals as the "lawn-mowed/books-ordered/supplies-filled" kind of manager. That means making sure that they have the instructional resources they need - textbooks and other tools of learning (computers, good curriculum). 14. This can often be traced back to a principals leadership. They cultivate leadership in others. When principals are trying to help create such a culture, [they] begin to open the doors and say, "Let's talk about our practice. LDH: Absolutely. Is there a way that I can facilitate some of this work getting done or enable you to be able to facilitate it?" Stanford University, 2007. Review of Research: How Leadership Influences Student Learning, Kenneth Leithwood, Karen Seashore Louis, Stephen E. Anderson and Kyla L. Wahlstrom, University of Minnesota and University of Toronto, 2004. 6. Teachers go into the profession to be successful with kids. While there is considerable interest in this question, the evidence on how to answer it is relatively weak. Each day brings new challenges, new problems, and new adventures. They help define and promote high expectations; they attack teacher isolation and fragmented effort; and they connect directly with teachers and the classroom, University of Washington researchers found. LDH: More and more teachers are willing and eager to collaborate with one another. Being Kind and friendly: 6. How Principals Affect Students and Schools: A Systematic Synthesis of Two Decades of Research Such "a healthy school environment," as Vanderbilt researchers call it, is characterized by basics like safety and orderliness, as well as less tangible qualities such as a "supportive, responsive" attitude toward the children and a sense by teachers that they are part of a community of professionals focused on good instruction.9, Is it a surprise, then, that principals at schools with high teacher ratings for "instructional climate" outrank other principals in developing an atmosphere of caring and trust? Bonti felt the principal had managed to balance leadership with a bow to the faculty's expertise. In one project, professors observed how Atkinson's teachers kept students engaged and shared the collected data with the faculty in addition to using it for a research study. global strategy 2021 The development of a good strategy for any competition should begin with an assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the principal competitors. For example, the Minnesota-Toronto study found that in schools with higher achievement on math tests, teachers tended to share in leadership and believed that parents were involved with the school. Problem Solving: 4. Vanderbilt Assessment of Leadership in Education, 15. I've tried to build strong leaders across the board.". Generally, school principals are not involved in education funding laws and procedures. We do not like to speak about our weaknesses. [There are] very interesting studies about gains in student achievement that have gone on in recent years, and a couple of them are particularly important. It is also crucial to note that you will also be responsible for failures. "Schools experiencing exceptionally rapid principal turnover, for example, are often reported to suffer from lack of shared purpose, cynicism among staff about principal commitment, and an inability to maintain a school-improvement focus long enough to actually accomplish any meaningful change. LH: How "37, When it comes to data, effective principals try to draw the most from statistics and evidence, having "learned to ask useful questions" of the information, to display it in ways that tell "compelling stories" and to use it to promote "collaborative inquiry among teachers. High-scoring principals frequently observed classroom instruction for short periods of time, making 20 to 60 observations a week, and most of the observations were spontaneous. However, that doesnt mean they are helpless in the face of financial shortfall. You note in your 2010 book, The Flat World and Education: How America's Commitment to Equity Will Determine Our Future, that good principals are the number one reason why teachers stay in school. Principals spend a lot of time away from their homes and their families throughout the school year. But the difference between average and exceptional employees is that exceptional people can admit their weaknesses, and they strive to get rid of them. For students to be fully engaged, they need to feel that they have at least one good friend at school, feel safe, feel their teachers emphasize the importance of schoolwork, feel they have the opportunity to do what theyre best at, and feel praised or recognized for their achievements. For many assistant principals, the move to the role comes straight from the classroom, the counseling office, or a dean position. Introduction During the past few years, there have been extensive arguments over educational reforms in schools. "21, Effective principals studied by the University of Washington urged teachers to work with one another and with the administration on a variety of activities, including "developing and aligning curriculum, instructional practices, and assessments; problem solving; and participating in peer observations. Chess club, a special program for truant students and ballroom dancing lessons culminating in a formal candlelit dinner that included students' parents were other tone-changers, along with school corridors with names like Teamwork Trail and street signs directing students 982 miles to Harvard or 2,352 miles to Stanford. Hensley also encouraged teachers to do skill building on their own. Seashore Louis, Leithwood et al., 116-118. Association of Elementary School . These are edited excerpts of the interview. We watch the conductor, we're in the audience and we say, "I could do that. Determined to create a more suitable climate for learning, Hensley visited the homes of the 25 most frequent student offenders, telling the families that their children would be protected, but other children would be protected from them, too, if necessary. Armed for the first time with compelling, research-validated examples of ef- . "Having high expectations for all is one key to closing the achievement gap between advantaged and less advantaged students. Perhaps this is a case of two heads - or more - being better than one: "The higher performance of these schools might be explained as a consequence of the greater access they have to collective knowledge and wisdom embedded within their communities," the study concludes.18, Principals may be relieved to find out, moreover, that their authority does not wane as others' waxes. An effective principal must be fair and consistent. 34. In the face of this growing body of knowledge and experience, it is clear that now is the time to step up efforts to strengthen school leadership. 29/06/2023. What are the main challenges we face in education right now? Seashore Louis, Leithwood et al., 81-82. A number of online universities offer education specialist degree programs, giving you the opportunity to complete your coursework in a way that doesnt require you to miss time from work. 3 Pages. We know that from research. Five Key Responsibilities - The School Principal as Leader: Guiding Schools to Better Teaching and Learning [Note: A new 2021 synthesis - How Principals Affect Students and Schools: A Systematic Synthesis of Two Decades of Research - offers updated recommendations on effective principal practices. ] assessment, Bonti's principal showed the school's English teachers that 10th grade students had unusually low scores for persuasive essays. The most damaging finding became clear in reports from teachers in buildings with low-scoring principals who said they received little or no feedback after informal observations. To track progress across the school, Atkinson used a data board that lined one wall in the school's curriculum center. "22 These leaders also looked for ways to encourage collaboration, paying special attention to how school time was allocated. This, in turn, can fortify classroom instruction. But [when the survey] asked how many would strongly agree or would agree that there is a collaborative culture in their schools where people collaborate frequently, only 15 percent said that. It can be a rewarding job, and it can also be an extremely stressful job. However, handling all of these negative complaints and issues is a substantial part of your job. "However, differences between principals in the two groups come into sharp focus as they describe their reasons for making classroom visits. (2023, April 5). What is more, many of us do not even know our own weaknesses. There is a broader knowledge base to capture, and not every place you may look tobuild your skills will have those pieces in place. Keywords: descriptive evaluation, strength, weakness, school 1. Improving instructionHensley did a lot of first-hand observation in classrooms, leaving behind detailed notes for teachers, sharing "gold nuggets" of exemplary practices, things to think about and next steps for improvement. And it means they spend much of their time in classrooms, not in the seclusion of their offices. You will typically have at least some control over key decisions, such as hiring a new teacher, changing curriculum and programs, and scheduling. LH: Do teachers need to understand what effective principals do? Principals are often the first one to school and the last one to leave. "I relinquished leadership in order to get control," Hensley says. Comparison Example Answer for Comparison as Your Weakness 3. Look at the list of strengths one more time. Seashore Louis, Leithwood et al., 82. You never know what will await you on any particular day. U.S. education funding relies primarily on property taxes, creating a system of haves and have-nots where property-rich districts can spend much more per student than property-poor districts. Glen Hughins & Career Consulting Association, Good understanding for the others, their desires and problems. Hence, this research paper has addressed the following research questions throughout study: 1. For example: Think about your experience and personality. Principals play a major role in developing a "professional community" of teachers who guide one another in improving instruction. Meredith I. Honig, Michael A. Copland, Lydia Rainey, Juli Anna Lorton and Morena Newton, This control allows you to put your stamp on the quality of the school. Students told me the first time they ever saw him was when he handed them their diplomas at graduation. The result shows that transformational leadership by the school principal able to change school's weakness into opportunity. Indeed, other school principals - the kinds who instinctively champion instruction over paperwork - have been a source of inspiration for her. Sample Answer: My mindset whenever I have to interact with parents is to build their trust. A lot of a principal's work can be invisible to teachers when theyre in the classroom. Instead, the technology should help teachers individualize instruction, thus making the technology a good use of financial resources. When someone associated with the school is recognized for outstanding achievement in some area, it typically means that the right decisions have been made. One of the best practices that I've seen when new cultures are being planted is holding the faculty meeting in a different room every time and allowing teachers to talk about strategies they're using that are proving successful. In matching principals and coaches, the district considers a coach's background, and the principal's strengths, weaknesses, and areas in which they need to growinformation the district has . Think about your experience and personality.
Carthage College Track And Field,
Roman Catholic Volunteers Regiment,
What Is John Carroll University Known For,
12 Day Affordable Croatia And Slovenia,
Articles W
weaknesses of a school principal
