As a school principal, you are as much a leader as you are an educator. While every school has its own unique challenges, these tips for being a more effective leader apply to just about any learning environment.
Reach Out to The Community
The most effective principals reach out to the larger community to form partnerships that benefit their schools. For you, this will mean reaching out to students and their families, but it might also involve reaching out to businesses and other organizations that might benefit your school. Be as transparent as possible when interacting with parents and other educational professionals. Encourage parents to get involved whenever they can, and don’t be afraid to take the initiative when it comes to fundraising efforts.
Trust Your Teachers
Your teachers are the ones who will be interacting with students, so encourage them to be leaders themselves within their classrooms. You can and should work closely with them as they develop lesson plans and classroom activities, but they should still have plenty of autonomy. Teachers that do have more freedom in the classroom are often more engaged and productive, characteristics that are often passed on to their students.
Take Advantage of Data and Statistics
It’s easy for teachers and principals to be set in their ways when it comes to education. This is not a good thing. We learn new things about how education affects students all the time, and you need to stay on top of that information if you want your school to be effective. While you shouldn’t stop your teachers from doing something that is definitely working, keep a close eye on education statistics and trends, and encourage your staff to make adjustments whenever necessary.
Lead By Example
Finally, be ready to take the initiative and lead by example when you need to. No matter what industry you happen to be in, people will always respect a leader who will passionately work alongside them. Interact with students whenever you can, pay close attention to what your teachers are doing, and offer your assistance whenever necessary. Your teachers and your students will appreciate it.