PRESS RELEASE ---- OCTOBER 21, 2010 ---- CONTACT: BRIAN MIDDLETON-COX ---- 781-246-6469
The Many Hats of a School Principal
By Brian Middleton-Cox, M.M., M.Ed.
The life of the school Principal is very complex, challenging, and the role has changed greatly over the years since many of us have been in school. Not only are Principals building managers, we are also educational and curriculum leaders. In this era of high stakes testing (MCAS exams) there's increased pressure around teaching and learning for school communities. The job is a challenging one however; it also holds so many rewards.
The Principal is responsible for creating a shared vision among all school personnel that focuses on improving teaching and learning throughout the community. The Principal is then responsible for carrying out that vision and to implement new organizational programs to stimulate the learning environment. When the whole school is on board with an initiative, the faster school improvement results will be seen. The school Principal must articulate all of the steps of the school improvement process to the community at large. Principals work with each other and the curriculum director to move curriculum initiatives such as Wakefield's literacy initiative and the new elementary standards-based report cards forward.
In addition for hiring and supporting a highly qualified staff of teachers and paraprofessionals, the school Principal also facilitates communication between school and the homes of our many students. We oversee communication vehicles such as newsletters, PTO correspondence, websites, phone calls, and e-mails. We facilitate many committees and councils comprised of staff, parents, and community members to make sure that our students are receiving a high quality education.
School Principals are also responsible for ensuring student safety on a daily basis. We have internal crisis teams that make preparations for our buildings in the unlikely event of an emergency. We think about scenarios that could possibly happen and we write protocols to ensure that all of our students will remain safe during the event of an emergency.
In addition, we are responsible for facilities and budgets for school buildings. We must identify priorities so that students in Wakefield will receive the best education possible. We use money wisely to strategically target areas for improvement within our schools. We must make very difficult decisions when budgets are cut. These are always challenging times in the life of a Principal.
With the new anti-bullying legislation that was passed into law in May, 2010, Principals are now responsible, more than ever, to educate teachers, students, parents, and the community about bullying in our schools. We are the primary disciplinarians within our buildings and we must balance discipline with education to promote positive behavior among our school communities.
The role of the Principal is stressful, no doubt. However, for me, I love to see the students and their smiling faces each and every day as I walk through the Woodville School. With many various job responsibilities, it's so easy to become buried in the details of our work. I make a point to visit classrooms on a weekly basis to see learning in action. Our teachers and paraprofessionals in Wakefield are the heart of the work that we do. I am grateful for the dedication of our staff members that serve our students.
With tight budgets, decreased funding, and increased mandates, the jobs in education are tough right now. We must not, however, forget that we are educating America’s future and I am happy to lead that charge in my school.
Brian Middleton-Cox, M.M., M.Ed. is the Principal of the Woodville School in Wakefield.
