The assistant principalship is one of the most misunderstood and pivotal roles in our schools. Check on school photo plans for coming year . Assistant principals should familiarize themselves with the school's policies and procedures in order to effectively carry out their duties. Changing the culture of a school is a long, hard process. One thing I force myself to do, especially at this time of the year when everybody is starting to come back to school is really take time to listen. As you leave school for the day, stop by a few classrooms and make small talk. What are you doing this year thats different/new? Copyright 2021. Note: The Principal/AP and Superintendent/designee (evaluator) agree on components of the meeting and confirm the level of performance. Talk about your family and hobbies so your human side travels with you. An assistant principal works in a school and assists the principal in dealing with student behavioral problems, evaluating teachers, and taking care of some other school functions, The assistant principal is also known as the vice principal and he/she usually take on many of the tasks and needs of the school to relieve the workload of the Teachers will be watching you. We know our students deserve the attention of their teachers, but we dont always know how much our teachers are juggling outside of school. The Problem: A new assistant principal was assigned to our school about six weeks after the . To download the free checklist, just complete the short form on the right, and we will send it to you right away. An AP needs a foundation of credibility before he can earn the relational capital that creates trust. Supporting K-12 educational programs for Washington state students. Just as teachers should never forget what it's like to be a student, administrators should never forget what it's like to be a teacher. I once walked the building with a first-year principal. Wethe classroom so that will leave an opening as well at her school. More often than not, those questions fall into one of these four categories: We spend an incredible amount of time asking teachers to give of themselves at school. Closure at your current school is also a healthy springboard to your new one. Completely new product 3-13-15 The answer key. Medical Meeting with staff weekly will ensure a coordinated effort and clear delegation of assignments and work functions. What do you think of the new schedule? 11. Taking the following actionsmany of which you can do in the summer before you're officially behind the wheelcan help you avoid wrong turns and fender benders. Hearing critical feedback makes us better at providing the same for teachers, and knowing the concerns of those we serve allows us to keep a close watch on that which impacts those activities. To enforce the shared responsibility for discipline, principals should insist that teachers join them in responding to students who misbehave in the classroom. Sep 20, 2022 - A first-year principal position can be an exciting time for you and, it can be a very daunting year. The Elementary school Principal's Calendar: A Month by Month Planner for the school Year Michael Terc and Ida Ayers. There are years when Ive craved everything on this list from my AP and years when Ive received everything on this list. Of course, their personal phone number must be available to key personnel in case of a crisis. %PDF-1.5
Trevor is the author of The Epic Classroom: How to Boost Engagement, Make Learning . 3 0 obj
Then, post to your wall articles and resources that could be of benefit. Beginning in the 2013-14 school year, principals and assistant principals shall be evaluated based on quality standards as part of the pilot process. These are great. Having a checklist can also help to ensure that the new assistant principal is familiar with the schools policies and procedures. ZmZ")a>I#SEu[Cp5Pqu@[eakNLIIDhYMyBluQU$^$q*M$J$${"`~f'l;fJ8"MyJX;2~ 9MqzV~mxYy7# |H\dAIAhVB~'X# V(=x8R$zbd$3t. The education world is very small. 1200 First Street, NE | Washington, DC 20002 | T 202.442.5885| F 202.442.5026 | dcps.dc.gov School Year 2019-2020 . It will be great! Activate UW Email and 2FA/DUO. Real Estate The superintendent can serve as a great resource to a new principal to help him or her recognize and understand the political influence of the various power brokers in the community. ___ Assistant Principal ___Other, Please Specify . My mentor is a retired principal with 21 years of experience under her belt. Surviving the first year of a principalship is a challenge. Are there any questions I can answer about our school for you as a parent? Furthermore, this research helps educators become critical consumers and not just passive receivers of what others tell us to do. When the master schedule is developed, observe the process and ask how the schedule is designed to balance needs. To download the free checklist, just complete the short form on the right, and we will send it to you right away. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. A solid way to build relationships is what I term Visibility 2.0. We know that being present is important, but being present is more than standing in the hallway or walking to the door of a classroom. %
Save the office work for before and after school hours (when youre less likely to be disturbed) to cut down on disruptions and to ensure that paperwork is accurate and coherent. The transition is quickin one day you move from a teacher contract to an administrative contract. Ask for input before making decisions. endobj
Mark promised to listen, be available, and carry on the school's good work. At the end of the week, check your percentages to make sure you are fulfilling your goals. Finally, I was surprised to see that cutting a lunch period out of the schedule would produce only 25 minutes. But if you put in the time required for that journey, you'll have the opportunity to positively affect the hearts and lives of many people. Joanne Rooney has contributed to Educational Leadership. In an effort to support building leaders, AWSA has developed and continues to update Principal Checklists. 354 0 obj
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Field Tip: Make a list of five students each week. Done well, it will help you make a positive first impression on your . It will be your job to restore the school to health. Ferret out teachers who are less vocal, and respect those known to be less than supportive. It pays dividends in building trust. Excellence in this area alone wont create lasting relationships and trust, but it will steadily increase your credibility youve developed with the staff. Personally, I like to record the date whenever I spend more than ten minutes in a classroom, which helps in ensuring that my time is distributed evenly among all the teachers. Note the parking lot at dismissal. However, before you dive into the waters of change, make sure you know where the rocks are and which sharks lurk close to the surface. Based on my research and what I have experienced so far, I'd like to offer five ways for a rookie administrator to successfully navigate his or her new position. Welcome New Staff: Plan and schedule your new teacher summer in-service. Parents were called if the chewing continued. So before the year begins, I decided to think through those things that I can be about as an assistant principal that will help me help our campus. Goals of each person first year assistant principal assists the road. July2016 Meet with Assistant Principal and Reading Coach to develop a master calendar of events for the school year, including traditional activities, awards celebrations, and assessment periods. Take notes and check that you're "getting it." The collective wisdom of your staff is invaluable. Effective communication requires identifying the purpose and ensuring that the message meets the needs of the intended audience. Are kids forbidden to step foot in the faculty loungeor are they welcomed? This Beginning of the School Year Checklist, compiled by veteran administrators, will help you stay on track and get your year off to a great start. Well get better together! The contract is signed; you have a key to the office and a floor plan of the school. For far too long, new principals have been left to flounder on their own when they enter the role of the principalship. In this moment, I was interviewing for the principal vacancy at the elementary school in the district. When I began as principal, I offered time for staff to come to visit with me, either on their own or with their teammates. Thank those parents and teachers who were part of the interview process. Some of the items on the first year assistant principal checklist include attending orientation and training programs, familiarizing oneself with school policies and procedures, meeting with the principal to discuss the assistant principals role in the school, and coordinating standardized testing activities. Welcoming parents and teachers to meet with you individually or in small groups during summer can build relationships that the rush of the school year doesn't always allow for. 1615 Duke Street Alexandria, VA 22314 703-684-3345 Contact Us, 2023 National Association of Elementary School Principals | Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions | Copyright and I.P. Approach your job with the notion that everyone has something to contribute, because a valuable idea can come from absolutely anyone. One common role is to support the principal, which can look different in every setting. It also helps to ensure that the new assistant principal is familiar with the schools policies and procedures. It lists your high-level priorities and actionable goals, as well as the metrics you'll use to measure success in those first three months. Rememberyou were hired for who you are. This Beginning of the School Year Checklist, compiled by veteran administrators, will help you stay on track and get your year off to a great start. Pep rallies, graduations, and August inservice days, all have rules governing how they are run, when they happen, and who does what. Complete Transition Questionnaire*. Be sure your system supports the principal and periodically celebrates and acknowledges his or her dedication, hard work, and value to the school district. What seems vibrant and healthy in your new school and what needs oxygen? Worried about? Each person with whom you work has a personal story, family, and dreams. Having the respect of the teachers is not the same as having a relationship with them. That is special! Sage Press, 2001. Does it resonate with you?" Throw a good-bye party. Revise student directory 3. If there is a staff concern that needs resolution, ask if you can observe the process to better understand the policies and procedures. Explore. Really liked your post, although Ive never been an assistant principal. I hope you end up managing each of those pulls well this year. The other assistant has made comments about things that she would like to take off her plate as well. All leaders know the power of buy in, but its not always the quickest road to a solution. Consider the following checklist as part of your 90-day plan to outline goals; clarify desired expectations for all players; and align plans, decisions, and actions to best serve students, stakeholders and staff. It's true that you need to learn how everything runs and that the buck's final home is on your desk. Listen more than you talk the first time you meet those with whom you will work. Tap into that. Get to know everyone on a personal level. However, putting theory into practice requires much training and reflection. Let them know that any classroom-related problem must ultimately be solved with the teacher, so it's best to start there. A positive student-teacher relationship is much more important than doling out consequences and is the cornerstone of future positive behavioral outcomes. 3. Send home ESSA Report Cards for last year. As a newly appointed AP, I have learned a lot by listening. Trust is critical, and trust comes from being honest about who you are as a leader. I still use this trusty notebook to take notes in throughout the year at all the meetings I attend. endobj
The new assistant principal should meet with the principal to discuss their role in the school and what is expected of them. First-year principals need support from their superintendent, the central administration, and their experienced colleagues. 4. Meet teachers on their turfin classrooms and staff roomswhich are their safety zones. Credibility has a short shelf life. Im still looking for my first AP leadership position. Begin faculty duty schedules 7. Review and revise Principals Planning Calendar The interviews are over. Good schools cannot be built quickly. Title I Principal - Monthly Checklist Page 2 Don't take it personally if anyone challenges you on some level. After conducting a thorough search and selecting the best candidate for the position of principal, a districts superintendent and central administrators should do all they can to ensure the new principals success. You listed some key questions. I would add too, serving those you lead. 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