Are We Really Helping New Principals?

I often read articles and posts on twitter that talk about what principals need to do to be successful.  There’s always talk about instructional leadership, culture, climate, operational management, and transformation.  We also spend a lot of time talking about principal preparation programs and how to make them better.  Many folks even take time to spell out certain leadership competencies that they expect from their principals.  Even through all of that it is sometimes difficult to understand why some principals are not successful leading a campus.

The more I think about why some principals are unsuccessful it leads me to something that I am finding that happens often times when a new principal is hired.  The district spends a lot of time finding the “right” person to lead, hires them, gets the new hire paperwork, hands them a large set of keys and leaves them to find their way on campus.  It is my belief that this is a flawed system.  If we are to truly ensure success from the principal, which will lead to student success, we must spend quality intentional time helping the principal be successful.

So how can those that supervise principals improve the overall efficacy of new building principals?

• Spend time with them. New principals need support and help.  They constantly have questions.  It helps when there is someone with them to help them through even the most basic questions.  This does not include stopping by one time in the summer.  Quality intentional help means that you are there!
• Help them with the things that all new principals need to do. They are: sending a welcome letter to the faculty/staff, sending a welcome letter to parents and students, hiring procedures, and dismissal/arrival procedures.  It is a good idea to already have form letters ready for the new principal.  They do not have to use them, but it’s a good start for them.  They have so many other things on their mind.
• True central office introductions. This goes beyond the usual glad hand that we all do when we are new.  Go ahead and set-up meetings with key central office administrators for the new principal to meet and visit with.  Some of the key people to meet with include: athletic director/coordinator, special education leader, bilingual/esl leader, and curriculum coordinators.  These meetings should be quick and simple, and it’s a way for the principal to ask any burning question he or she may have.
• Help them understand how to build quality relationships. One of the things that always helped me when I started service at a new campus was to sit and visit with all of the staff one on one.  As a leader of principals, show them the power in doing this!  You may even need to take time to show them how this quick, yet effective meeting is run.
• Do not assume that the principal understands how to get the new school year up and running. As a principal leader or mentor it is your job to ensure that the school year is started successfully.  Remember, if the individual is a brand new principal they can miss many of the things that are important to a successful school start.  Giving them a start of school checklist (link found at the bottom) and going over each item with them is a great start.
• Work to build a great relationship with the new principal. The only way you can do this is to spend time with the person.  They have to be able to trust you and trust that you are working on their behalf.  Simply put, if they do not feel comfortable with you they will not call on you when needed.  That’s why you have to be with them at least every other day when they first begin.

Of course this is just a start.  There are many other things that need to be done.  For questions just hit me up on twitter @herbertoneiljr

Remember there is nothing more important than the success of your new principal.  I know that you have many other things to do, and lots of paper to push around.  However, the students that they serve are too important to leave it to chance.  When the principal is successful, the school is successful!