Advice for New Principals: The 4 Things to Focus on First

Be proactive in these four areas to uplevel your leadership this month!

The following are adapted from a recent Education Week article that provides advice for where a new principal should invest time and energy:

1. Use your SAI mentor to learn the “work” of a principal. Your mentor can help identify your strengths and opportunities for growth. They can support you in delegating and distributing leadership in those areas that are not your strengths. “Mentors can also validate the principal’s experiences with school leadership and offer support in implementing priorities. Mentors can be intentional questioners that provide guidance on how to navigate difficult situations, expand your professional network, and provide you with resources to develop your tool kit.”
2. Learn your school. What is the history of your building? What are the standard operating procedures--i.e. how do we do things around here? Schedule meetings with stakeholders (teachers, paras, janitors, cooks, counselors, secretaries) to continue to learn about your building. Meet with those most knowledgeable about curriculum, instruction, and assessment in order to gain insight about strengths and growth opportunities and to begin to develop capacity for those who may be struggling. You might also consider quarterly focus groups to gather input and insight.
3. Learn your district. Know the support network that exists within your district. Who does what and when should you reach out to whom. Save yourself time and energy by asking questions! Tap into the resources and supports available to support professional learning, special education, student behavior and mental health needs, and instructional interventions, to name a few. Reach out to your AEA system supports. 
4. Learn your community. “[You]would be wise to immediately work with school staff and parents to identify assets within the community that can provide support, resources, and essential insights into the lived experiences of students and families.” Partner with businesses to enrich the experiences of students and staff.

Questions for reflection:

• How can your mentor support you in learning the job of principal?
• How has your mentor learned their building, district, and community?
• Who can provide you additional insight about the people you serve?