Students have so many tools today that allow them to communicate quickly and effectively. Unlike adults, students utilize social media and messaging programs all day for everything! The list is endless! Students stay connected mostly through these mediums: twitter, snap chat, Instagram, and Kik. There are many others, but currently the four listed above are their favorites. 

So why should you know what their pulse is? It’s simple, you are the principal and you are responsible for the effective management of the campus. As a HS principal I found that if you wanted to know about anything happening on campus, or what had the potential to happen you could find out about it on twitter. Long are the days that you have to wait for your student informant to give you all the info. That takes too long. Sometimes just searching the name of your school on twitter will tell it all! So what about that Senior prank? Someone’s talking about it on twitter! What about that planned protest toward the new dress code? They have talked about it for a day and a half on twitter! Want to find out what the students think about a new planned initiative? No need for a survey! They have been having a no holds barred in depth discussion on twitter and Instagram for days about it! 

What was so unique about all of this was even though my students would discuss many things on twitter they always knew that I was aware of what was going on. They knew I respected them and most of them showed respect. Always know that deep down your students want to exist in a great environment. 

Distractions were always limited because we (most of the staff) knew the pulse of the students. We built relationships with them and were with them every step of the way. When we stepped into the building we were all family. 

So, what will you do to know their pulse? You’ve got to rethink your approach! It’s tough to keep up with it all, but it will payoff handsomely in the end!