The Role of the Principal

By: Jaya Crews

Learning targets:

Define the role of a principal
Explain how principals affect teaching and learning in the classroom

What is The role of the principal?

The role of the principal is not just to be able to manage students and teachers. More importantly, they act as a support system to teachers, build relationships with students, and foster new meanings for diversity (Riehl, 2000).

Act as a support system For Teachers

Build Relationships with students

Foster New meanings of diversity

Scenario 1

Tina has been noticeably tired in classes and her performance has dropped. Teachers are reaching out to Principal Lewis to make sure that she is okay. He brings her into his office and finds out that Tina has not been eating lunch when she comes to school. She tells Principal Lewis that she can not afford lunch at school due to circumstances at home. Principal Lewis makes sure before she walks out of his door that she is signed up for the Free Lunch Program at the school so she will be fully nourished at school and be able to get back on track.

Scenario 2

Jared is a first year teacher and is having a hard time meeting grade deadlines and missing faculty meetings. He is having a hard time adjusting to the new environment and doesn't reach out for help. Mr. Mann, the principal, noticed Jared was having a hard time and pulled him into his office one afternoon. Jared immediately tells Mr. Mann what is going on and that he needs help. Mr. Mann then gives him different strategies to stay on track and manage his time better. At the next faculty meeting, Mr. Mann personally introduced Jared to the other teachers to provide him with a sense of knowing that all the teachers have each other's backs.

How Do Principals affect teaching and learning?

Principals don't just walk around making sure things are in order. They have a very challenging role. Principals have the task of encouraging and helping teachers better themselves in order to be beneficial to students (Berkovich,2018). They also help by having supportive communication strategies. This is helpful for students because when the principal handles behavioral issues, students are more willing to be corrected rather than just punished.

Conclusion

Principals have many duties when it comes to running a school. The managing portion is not even half of the impact that the social aspects of the job come with. A good principal can make a school and the community around it. Starting by creating a safe environment for both students and teachers to learn and develop.

Quiz

1.What is NOT the role of the principal?

A. Manage Schools

B. Fund the Schools

C. Help foster diversity

D. Build relationships with teachers

2. Which scenario would the principal use to factor in new means of diversity into the school?

A. Having a staff meeting

B. Having a bully prevention assembly

C. Reaching out to families in the community to fix or add different cultural aspects into the school

D. All of the Above

References

Berkovich, I., & Eyal, O. (2018). Principals’ emotional support and teachers’ emotional reframing: The mediating role of principals’ supportive communication strategies. Psychology in the Schools, 55(7), 867-879.

Riehl, C. (2000). The principal's role in creating inclusive schools for diverse students. Review of Educational Research, 70(1), 55-81.

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