Career Guide: School Principal
Here’s what you need to know.
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What Is a School Principal?
Leader, difference maker, visionary, cheerleader – these are only some synonymous names for school principals. From a more technical standpoint, school principals are at the head of a K-12 institution at either the elementary, middle or high school level. They are responsible for ensuring school operations run smoothly and provide a quality education experience for students and educators. With strong leadership skills and a passion for education, school principals are integral in a variety of ways. This is your unique guide to principalship, covering everything from daily responsibilities to how to get there.
What Does a Principal Do?
School administration entails extensive responsibilities that look similar day-to-day but also come with unique challenges as needs arise throughout the school year. Daily duties include overseeing school operations, managing teachers and staff, implementing policies, conducting educator observations, and maintaining a positive school environment for all.
School leadership is known to be a rewarding and satisfying career as principals make a difference in the lives of students, build a healthy school culture, connect with the community, help educators succeed and more. Starting their careers as educators, teachers who rise to education administration have a great opportunity to lead on a larger scale in both public and private schools. This level of advancement results in an increased salary as well.
| Benefits | Challenges |
| Variety in daily tasks | Budget management |
| Ability to work in many types of schools | Educator shortages and recruitment |
| Career progression for district-level roles | Meeting student success metrics |
| Opportunity to develop innovative programs | Working long hours |
What Do You Need to Be a Principal?
Becoming a principal and school leader involves a combination of education, certification, experience and skills. Keep in mind that each state sets its own principal qualifications, so be sure to double-check with your state department of education. It might sound intimidating, but when you follow the natural progression of an education career, you’ll be equipped for administration before you know it.
Education Requirements
Most states require a bachelor’s and master’s degree in education or a related field. (Be sure to check your state for specific eligibility guidelines.)
All states require you to complete a state-approved principal preparation program like the one offered at ·¬ÇŃĘÓƵ. Some may allow alternative options. Preparation programs are designed to equip you for principalship and pass credential exams. Certain states may require a teaching and administration license or certification as well.
Teaching and Leadership Experience
As a rule of thumb, most principals have a minimum of five years of experience teaching. Principals oversee teachers, after all, so you’ll want to understand the experiences and pedagogies that lead to student success.
You’ll also want some leadership practice under your belt. This can come from leading a classroom, but it can also look like participating in schoolwide initiatives or becoming a vice principal. Volunteer to mentor newer classroom teachers or lead faculty projects. Taking leadership opportunities while gaining teaching experience will set you up nicely for when it’s time to interview for a principal role.
Skills
- Interpersonal communication: Principals communicate with an extensive array of stakeholders like faculty and staff, students, parents, and district and community leaders. You’ll need to keep everyone looped in with the right information at the right time.
- Delegation: Principals can’t do it all, and that’s okay. Make sure you know when to address something yourself or trust another leader with it.
- Curriculum development: While you’ll likely have a vice principal to support you, you’ll need to know how to create, implement and oversee curriculum development that generates academic success.
- Budget management: Managing funds is a critical responsibility for a principal. You’ll need to determine when and where to allocate funds throughout the school year.
- Decision making: Principals have daily, weekly, monthly and annual decisions to make. You’ll need to be ready to do so in a manner that exudes confidence and direction for those affected.
- Discipline: Principals are also school disciplinarians. You’ll need to know how to apply empathy and structure when behavioral issues arise at school. This also involves creating a support team of educators, parents and caregivers to generate positive outcomes.
- Conflict resolution: Conflict isinevitable, and the stakeholders in your school community will look to you for guidance and resolve. You’ll want to be able to find agreeable and collaborative solutions that foster a healthy school environment.
- Risk management: Principalship involves managing the safety of everyone at your school. This requires you to develop, implement and oversee policies and procedures that ensure such to the best of your abilities.
- Staff development: Education is constantly evolving, and teachers need continuous professional development to stay updated. You’ll need to be a cheerleader and advocate for growing and developing your faculty.
How to Become a Principal: Step-by-Step
Becoming a principal is a rewarding journey that follows a general pathway of steps. While there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach, it’s a great framework to help you plan!
- Earn a bachelor’s degree.
µţ˛ął¦łó±đ±ô´Ç°ů’s degrees provide optimal foundations for becoming a principal. You’ll be equipped to lead a classroom and guide student success through student teaching.
- Become a certified teacher and gain experience.
Classroom teaching is critical to your success as a principal. You’ll get your teaching certification and also put what you learned in your bachelor’s degree to practice. Some teachers progress into roles like assistant principal for leadership experience.
- Earn a master’s degree.
When you complete a master’s degree like the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership at ACE, you’re on a direct path to principal licensure. However, you can also complete a different master’s degree and then add on a Certificate in Principal Preparation.
- Obtain required certifications and/or licensures.
All states and the District of Columbia require aspiring principals to complete principal preparation programs that are aligned with their state performance standards or national standards. Some require internships, residencies or experience.
- Become a principal.
To land the principal role of your dreams, you want to be prepared for your interview. Take time to research the school you want to work for to demonstrate your commitment. Share brief anecdotes that reflect your passion for education and student success. And of course, be sure to show why you are the best leader for the job by emphasizing your accomplishments and focusing on student outcomes.
Degree Options to Become a School Principal
Principal Salary and Job Outlook
There is undoubtedly always a need for principals to lead the charge in today’s evolving education landscape. Both the salary and job outlook are promising in coming years. Note that salary can sometimes vary depending on state, school level and more.
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