Qualities of a good school principal

Directors have tough jobs. They are the face and head of the school, they are responsible for the education that each student in their care receives, and they set the tone for the school. They decide on personnel decisions and student discipline issues ...

Principals are the “everything” of a school. If you want to be a good school director or you dream of being one one day, then do not miss out on what are the qualities that a good school director must have for the center to function properly thanks to its good management.

Give support

Good teachers need to feel supported. They should feel that when they have a problem in the classroom, they will get the help they need. There are teachers who resign their position when they realize that they do not have the support they need when they need it.

This is not to say that principals should blindly endorse teachers without using their judgment. Teachers are human beings who also make mistakes. However, the general feeling of the director should be one of belief and support.

Must be visible

A good director must be seen. They should be in the hallways, interacting with students, participating in rallies, and attending sports games. Their presence should be such that students know who they are and also feel comfortable approaching and interacting with them.

Be an effective listener

Much of the principal's time is spent listening to others: assistant principals, teachers, students, parents, and staff. Therefore, they need to learn and practice active listening skills every day. They should be present in every conversation despite the hundred other things that catch your attention. They also need to listen to what is being said before giving their answer.

Be a problem solver

Problem solving is at the core of the manager's job. In many cases, new principals enter a school because they face difficult problems. It may be that the school's test scores are low, you have a lot of discipline problems, or you are facing financial problems due to poor leadership from the previous administrator.

New or established, Any director will be asked to help with many difficult and challenging situations. Therefore, they need to hone their problem-solving skills by learning to prioritize and provide concrete steps to solve the problems at hand.

Empower others

A good director, like a good CEO or other executive, you should want to give your employees a sense of empowerment. Business management classes at the university often train their employees to offer solutions to problems and even stop production on the Internet if a quality problem is observed. While teachers are generally in charge of their individual classrooms, many feel powerless to affect the spirit of the entire school. Principals must be open and receptive to teachers' suggestions to improve the school.

Have a clear vision

A principal is the leader of the school. Ultimately, they have the responsibility for everything that happens there. Your attitude and vision must be strong and clear. They may find it helpful to create their own vision statement, which they post for all to see, and they must consistently apply their own educational philosophy in the school setting.

One principal described his first day on the job at an underperforming school: he walked into the office and waited a few minutes to see what the front desk staff behind a tall counter would do. It took them a long time to recognize his presence. At that point, he decided that his first act as a director would be to remove that tall counter. His vision was of an open environment where students and parents felt invited, part of the community. Eliminating that counter was an important first step in achieving this vision.

Be fair and competent

Directors must be fair, competent, and consistent. They must have the same rules and procedures for all staff and students. They cannot show favoritism. They cannot allow their feelings or personal loyalties to cloud their judgment.

Show a low-key attitude

Directors must be discreet. They deal with sensitive topics every day, including:

• Student and staff health issues
• Difficult situations at home for students
• Hiring and firing decisions
• Teacher evaluations
• Disciplinary problems with staff

Have a sensitive and delicate attitude

A good principal must be dedicated to the school and believe that all decisions must be made in the best interests of the students. A principal needs to embody school spirit. As well as being highly visible, it should be obvious to students that the principal loves the school and has their best interests at heart. Principals should normally be the first to arrive and the last to leave the school. This kind of dedication can be difficult to maintain, but it pays huge dividends with staff, students, and society at large.