Congratulations! You just got your first principal job!  The job you have dreamed about your entire career!  The board of education has entrusted you to run an entire school.  If you are the principal of a large HS you are practically running a small city.  I know you are excited!  I have been blessed to have that wonderful feeling before.  I just wanted to give you a few pointers as you start your service as a school principal.

It is my belief that the school principal is the most important factor in how well, or not well the school will do.  If the principal does a good job, most likely the school will serve the students, and community well.  Every principal has their own personality and their own way of doing things, that’s what makes leadership so special.  We all know that there isn’t a cookie cutter approach to doing things right and transforming a school into the beacon of light that it should be.  However, as you begin service there a few things that can help you as you get started.

1. Relationships, Relationships, Relationships

I placed this first because it is so important.  Building relationships with your new school community is paramount.  Do not make the mistake of missing out on relationship building for “Putting your stamp” on the school.  If people get to know you and trust you, they will move with you as you try to create change.  Send a letter out to your new staff and community and invite them up to meet with you.  The welcome reception does not count.  You need to make time to visit with every staff member that takes the time to come to visit with you.  Use this time to listen to them, and not talk about yourself.  Follow the meeting up with a note or an email highlighting one item of importance that they mentioned to you.  Also spend time cultivating relationships with the leadership team that is already in place (assistant principals, counselors, department chairs/grade level leaders).

2. They Did Things Right Before You Arrived

Believe it or not the school did some great things before you got there.  Yes, I know you looked at the scores and they weren’t so hot.  Yes, I know you looked at the discipline data and it wasn’t so hot either.  This does not mean that things weren’t going well at the school.  Again, take time to get to know people and how things actually worked at the school before you make big changes.  If the scores need work it is okay to let them know that “We will work together to make our instructional program better!”  They do not need you to beat them up about test scores when you first arrive and you do not even know them.  Always remember to ask questions before you make big changes! There is a reason that the policy or procedure was in place.  Just check it out.

3. Be Honest

Let’s face it, you will be around these people everyday.  If a teacher wearing flip flops will send you over the edge, let them know right away.  This is good because they will not be surprised by it.  Your staff wants to trust and follow you.  If you communicate and communicate in an honest manner they will respect you even more.

4. Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing

Yes! You are on twitter, and connected to a powerful PLN.  Each day you read twitter you see something new and exciting.  Maybe it’s a new way to do a faculty meeting, or the newest idea on how to reach kids.  Stop! Take a minute and breathe! All of these things are probably good, but you are new to your campus.  You do not have to Flip your first faculty meeting.  This is great to do later on down the line.  The people will be nervous enough.  Remember they want to get to know you, they want you to get to know them, they want to know your vision for the instructional program, and they want to know that you will support them when the students struggle with behavior.  So, keep the main thing the main thing.

5. Don’t Forget to Have Fun

Being a principal should be fun (even though many times it doesn’t feel like it).  Smile a lot, shake hands, give hugs, and be there for the staff and students.  Dress up on the dress up days for Homecoming.  It’s okay to get a little silly.

The work of the principal is so important.  You can truly transform the thinking of just about everyone in the building if you choose.  Just never forget that before you can transform their thinking they must get to know you, and trust you.

Be great!

Herbert