By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. What do you want to learn about during faculty meetings? Neither is growth. To streamline the Facebook process, consider starting a Facebook group that includes members of your staff. This is an encouraging blog to help assistant principals find their voice and strength in their role on campus! If you cannot establish relationships, you are going to struggle to maximize your effectiveness. "Wow," she thought! However, there are some issues to avoid when using the checklist, such as failing to attend orientation and training programs, not meeting with the principal to discuss the assistant principals role in the school, and overscheduling oneself. In between our meetings, she will frequently send me short emails with helpful articles, attachments, and examples from her own work. Note: The Principal/AP and Superintendent/designee (evaluator) agree on components of the meeting and confirm the level of performance. Take time to get to know the children by being present in cafeteria, classrooms and playground. This is not sufficient to grant a thorough understanding of the expenditures, revenues, and allocations of resources. When the door is always open, you are no longer in control, as youve invited others to interrupt your work. It covers PLACE VALUE, MULTIPLICATION, DIVISION, CHARTS AND GRAPHS, SHOW WHAT YOU KNOW AND FINANCIAL LITERACY- NEW TEKS! Communicate your purpose up front. This planner has daily pages in addition to monthly "at a glance" pages. A good read. Baby Set some goals for improvement in the areas where you need the most growth, and after some time has passed, ask for input again. Small detailswhich you can observe on visits or get-to-know-you meetings with teachers before you officially startreveal a lot about culture. Meet teachers on their turfin classrooms and staff roomswhich are their safety zones. Begin faculty duty schedules 7. Review and revise Principals Planning Calendar and "What must be absolutely honored?" Commit to the development and mentoring of aspiring school administrators that includes providing professional guidance and support for the principal intern. The tension in teachers' and parents' shoulders visibly relaxed. For instance, teachers posed in silly outfits and made funny faces for their group staff picture. New principals need to walk the talk. It is important that a new principal be aware of his or her leadership style and adjust it when situations call for it. That makes a difference. endobj October 30, 2020 . After receiving my list on such short notice, I had to work past 6:00 p.m. to complete all the tasks. By the end of the afternoon, she had said, "I'll take care of it" 17 times. Having the respect of the teachers is not the same as having a relationship with them. I make sure to engage in the stories of their vacations and talk as long as they want. (Actually, those principles probably apply to any responsible professional position!) We are published by the George Lucas Educational Foundation, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization. Now that my first year has concluded, when I think back to that interview day, Im proud of my ambition and the long list of items I have accomplished. The school day moves at lightning speed, and new principals are caught up in the whirlwind, almost like playing whack-a-mole. Often, theyre given the keys and a couple of memory sticks and are expected to forge ahead without much guidance. 0. Ferret out teachers who are less vocal, and respect those known to be less than supportive. Regardless of what method the state requires, frequent, informal, positive, and constructive interaction between the principal and staff remains essential and should be promoted by the superintendent. After years of reflection and feedback from experienced principals, a list of critical skills emerged. 3. The most important lesson in leadership is, "be you." Authenticity, including recognizing our strengths and weaknesses, makes us better leaders. This is definitely a resource to re-read and refer to in the future. 1. The superintendent should ensure that discussion of effective leadership be part of every agenda. : %&Y|Z\ge*jc5]U\GY}?o~d2a:^l juMG]> _Npi{]f]W* Teachers will be watching you. Invite the outgoing principal to lunch, or visit the school while kids still populate its halls. My mentor is a retired principal with 21 years of experience under her belt. Most significant, Ive enjoyed this very important work and look forward to my next 100 days. This person must be your strongest ally; if not, he or she can be your most formidable opponent. Welcome New Staff: Plan and schedule your new teacher summer in-service. The new assistant principal should meet with the principal to discuss their role in the school and what is expected of them. After 365 days of employment, you will have the option of . As a fourth-grade teacher, I once had the pleasure of working with a phenomenal assistant superintendent. However possible, transition into your new position. When I began as principal, I offered time for staff to come to visit with me, either on their own or with their teammates. During budget season, ask to review the budget and discuss how priorities were set and allocated. Let secretaries, special education personnel, parent organizations, and so on manage their own spheres of responsibility. When the master schedule is developed, observe the process and ask how the schedule is designed to balance needs. Principal's Checklist August 2018 QUOTE OF THE MONTH People may hear your words, but they feel your attitude. Being a first-year teacher, I was unaware that these lists even existed. 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. Good luck with it! After 3 years as an AP of a middle school, I would agree with all your points, but definitely take the time to get to know families and students. Once a fourth-grade teacher, I recently began my work as an elementary assistant principal in another district. Field Tip: Try trash can diplomacy. At lunch, take the trash cans around the cafeteria to collect trash from students. Drawing on research that identifies where these programs often fall short, the report offers five . Thank you. ), but that's another post all on its own. Check on school photo plans for coming year . Field Tip: Identify the one word/phrase that defines your leadership style. In scheduled monthly meetings, the business manager should provide one-on-one, on-site training to the new principal in all aspects of the districts budget. It will be your job to restore the school to health. These are great. Sage Press, 2001. But learning to delegate responsibility is the mark of mature leadership. 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. I believe that most teachers are more concerned with the new administrator validating their work, as opposed to wanting to be awed by that administrator's expertise. Although they still carry nearly the same authority among students . Enjoy the journey and continue to find ways to maximize your impact. Effective mentors must be successful principals. Discover ASCD's Professional Learning Services. Home A new principal offers four lessons learned from her first year in the role. As clich as it sounds, there is just never enough time. I once walked the building with a first-year principal. Other teachers might become inspired and start blogs of their own, or have their students start blogging. TRANSITION However possible, transition into your new position before your first day. Some battles can never be won. Changing the culture of a school is a long, hard process. They are on the front lines and sometimes small things can be a stress reliever to a teacher. I'm the new superintendent. For instance: Do less talking and more listening, but don't stop there. C&M|36L0$SZ0!b[g2D)!5FS&cU/St4:h}H3#4c)Dxbqi@"eV@( :+FeV.`T`t uR0%V`!3s"gNdXQ\iw\ |eBP|+y;NU6+ 9iI54Ndbxb[5Ee;Usayrno8ZWII.j2qc'|EoL&*~|3#-bRjg|Nw6Lp|8gmfr2o7x{5Y^q +u^~S }3s-{U((b{E6Zd~J5Hb.WV Cultivating those trusting relationships is vital if youre interested in creating change (and who isnt interested in creating positive change). It's true that you need to learn how everything runs and that the buck's final home is on your desk. Create a master list of any changes to distribute at the first staff meeting. Take the time to ask your principal to observe or facilitate tasks that may not be traditional to the assistant principal role. Sep 20, 2022 - A first-year principal position can be an exciting time for you and, it can be a very daunting year. Sending kids to the office should be their last resort. Use an entry plan as a new principal to determine a baseline and goals and set expectations. As the students enter school in the morning, do your best to pop your head into every classroom just to be present and touch base with your teachers and students. I think back to all of the items I listed during that interview and my first 100 days. Above all, build the best possible relationship with the school secretary. Year 1: Mentees will receive 40 hours of 1:1 mentoring, 7.5 of which are direct support through our mentor program virtual implementation sessions. A trusted AP will be looking for new ways to learn on his own and will be actively seeking opportunities to bring others into his learning. Take one step at a time, don't expect to finish your race in a sprint. ^@ ::h!4t 5I:4 Z7FILg1ef|E|RqJG7pQ]NJu~(/S}@'kJKa?\O Beginning in the 2013-14 school year, principals and assistant principals shall be evaluated based on quality standards as part of the pilot process. It will be great! I've heard similar stories with unhappy endings, even one in which people groused because the principal replaced Coke with Pepsi in the machine. Meet teachers. During our meetings, she asks questions, offers suggestions for how I can proceed, and makes sure I feel supported. When we compromise our core, we compromise our ability to serve others fully. This includes time each day to be present in classrooms and hallways. It is a marathon. 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. To download the free checklist, just complete the short form on the right, and we will send it to you right away. Over the summer if possible, ask as many teachers as you can, "What concerns do you have about the school?" My health was also heading in a negative direction. Recognize these, and set them aside. "They'll love it." Be on committees with teachers. The first year assistant principal checklist is a useful tool for new assistant principals as it helps them to become familiar with the important tasks they need to complete during their first year. Principal will support and encourage Teacher Liaisons to attend PTA meetings. Being a school leader is difficult. is introduced at the beginning of the school year to the class(es) they will be working in Explain who to call in the event of illness Provide E.A. Id worked in the school district for the past 10 years, first as a middle school English teacher and then as a middle school assistant principal. Field Tip: Make a list of five students each week. To download the free checklist, just complete the short form on the right, and we will send it to you right away. So it would be better to use that time to extend the other 3 lunch periods. An AP needs a foundation of credibility before he can earn the relational capital that creates trust. First aid / fire / safety rules / drills Staff introductions: ask staff to ensure the E.A. Approach your job with the notion that everyone has something to contribute, because a valuable idea can come from absolutely anyone. Im still looking for my first AP leadership position. He is a professor, speaker, and runs the Facebook page, The Epic Classroom. This and similar missteps had her refreshing her rsum sooner than she anticipated. Taking that time to engage makes a huge difference! Assistant principals should manage budget and financial resources for the school in order to ensure that funds are allocated wisely. If your professional development sessions are lifeless and flat, youre not going to earn yourself any points with teachers. As a new administrator, make a point of connecting with your teachers on Facebook, as this is most likely where they already are. What if you could pick your schedule next year; what would it look like ideally? Remember their names, even if this means keeping a cheat sheet. Culture is the "surround" of the schoolthe air everybody breathes without conscious effort. What do you think of the new schedule? I think most administrators and schools should be encouraging much more action research by teachers. 7:00 am: Arrive at school. Training programs for administrative positions often focus on the role of the building principal, providing minimal context to an assistant principal position. These individuals exhibit specific characteristics that make them experts at their craft. 4. An AP needs a foundation of credibility before he can earn the relational capital that creates trust. Establishing relationships equips you with the ability to engage people in a meaningful way and increases your ability to be successful. Be sure to make frequent visits to all classrooms. Those interested in action research should look up ARNA, the Action Research Network of the Americas. Good points. Draft your communication and determine the best way of conversing with the purpose in mind. One common role is to support the principal, which can look different in every setting. %PDF-1.5 At an early faculty meeting, present an aggregation of these conversations, telling staff, "This is what I heard you saying. Establishing your ethos on campus comes in a variety of ways (and happens differently in each unique situation). The internship in many administrative programs is completed under the guidance of a building principal, with few opportunities to see the day-to-day work of an assistant principal.On day one, where does the assistant principal begin? 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. Copyright 2019. 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. Leave with positive vibes. The assistant principalship is incredibly rewarding. Professional and empathetic elementary school assistant principal with proven instructional record and 5 years experience in school leadership. We know our students deserve the attention of their teachers, but we dont always know how much our teachers are juggling outside of school. 1200 First Street, NE | Washington, DC 20002 | T 202.442.5885| F 202.442.5026 | dcps.dc.gov School Year 2019-2020 . If you have any questions about the first year assistant principal checklist, you can contact your school district or consult a professional organization such as the National Association of Secondary School Principals. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Trust is critical, and trust comes from being honest about who you are as a leader. She and I meet regularly, each week for one hour. Today. (This also applies to your personal balance. Are there any questions I can answer about our school for you as a parent? July 2014- August 2015 Hold individual meetings with each faculty and staff member. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. That thing youre trying out this yearmaybe its stand up desks or ditching homework/the textbookhow can I help encourage others to do it too? A million thoughts raced through my head, and I think I said as much. Do teachers slip out before the buses have finished loading studentsor do they hang around helping kids? Despite the many pulls, relationship building must be a top priority. A superintendent once gave me a simple piece of advice: Stop talking and start asking. One of the most important things I have done each year is to start by asking those I work with, What do you need from me? Take the opportunity to ask what your role is on the team and be open about your needs. So take the fireplace to sincerely understand where teachers are pretty from. 1. Eastern Illinois University NewLeaders Dr. Linda Morford 1 Principal Checklist Administrative Timetable August New teacher orientation/induction New staff orientation New student orientation Make sure all teaching certificates are registered Meet with secretarial staff to discuss up-coming year o Develop yearly checklist o Create "To Do" lists with individual responsibilities identified Thats one of my personal goals for this next school year. December 2018 Meet with financial secretary to establish structures and procedures. Be patient. What tips do you have for first-year administrators? Wrong. You need to take the initiative to make it what you want from it. Don't take it personally if anyone challenges you on some level. Extend your relationship building to other district principals. :C1X1RpA2fkLYD4 5. Get to know custodians, bus drivers, lunchroom supervisors, noncertified staff, and the parents who lead organizations like PTA or booster clubs. Ask for input before making decisions. Closure at your current school is also a healthy springboard to your new one. Teachers can easily feel threatened when an administrator sits behind a computer (supposedly taking notes that pick apart each and every aspect of a lesson), so travel around with as little equipment as possible. Field Tip: Color code your calendar. 3. By Courtney Goodman Communicator November 2019, Volume 43, Issue 3, There I sat in a conference room, surrounded by a dozen or so parents from the community, a Board of Education member, and the district superintendent. <>>> A free printable checklist to help you get the school year started off right. Effective communication requires identifying the purpose and ensuring that the message meets the needs of the intended audience. Assign . It is the way your staff will feel valued. A closed door prevents the drop-ins that are sure to occur when it is open. Really liked your post, although Ive never been an assistant principal. Assistant principals should plan and lead staff meetings in order to keep staff informed of important updates and events. Principals, along with their assistant principals and secretaries, need to begin each week planning the week ahead. HR Checklist for New Pedagogical Employees. Listen more than you talk the first time you meet those with whom you will work. Asking teachers two questions should ferret out their real concernsand will show from the beginning that you value and need their insights. Lori packed the pictures in a crate and suggested that teachers dress "appropriately" for their next staff picture. For many assistant principals, the move to the role comes straight from the classroom, the counseling office, or a dean position. 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. Travel 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. What could you do with 25 minutes a day? Great blog post. Some have seen leaders come and go and will wait you out, knowing each new leader brings some new reform through the revolving door. June 2014 - September 2015 Now what do I do?". Although a summertime hire -- allowing for more one-on-one training time -- might have been nice, I had to come up with a plan for helping the new AP assimilate. Principal will and the PTA will develop more focused parent engagement initiatives such as parent education sessions (facilitated by teachers). I connect regularly with several other administrative colleagues to bounce ideas off one another or simply to vent. You never know who it might encourage! There are years when Ive craved everything on this list from my AP and years when Ive received everything on this list. Ask them how their day is going, pry into their personal lives a bit, and make sure to attend staff outings. Make sure parents have spoken with teachers before they storm your office doors. Let him or her take the ball and run with it, keeping you updated. Though that trust must be earned, your work as an AP is far from overwhen you reach that point. Where you spend your time is where your values lie. They may evaluate teachers. Finally, as an instructional leader, you have to walk the walk. A 30-60-90 day plan is what it sounds like: a document that articulates your intentions for the first 30, 60, and 90 days of a new job. Field Tip: Develop personal professional growth goals each year. 1. First, they support the principal in the administrative operation of a school. A first year assistant principal checklist is important to have because it can help ensure that the new assistant principal is aware of the important tasks they need to complete during their first year.
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