We often hear that we can learn from anyone. From effective people, we learn what to do, from ineffective people, we learn what not do. Through this advice contains a grain of truth, think about it. How much can we really learn from our ineffective colleagues, about being an ineffective teacher of principal? Most principal already know that sitting in the office does little to improve instruction in the classroom or student behavior in the hallways. We don’t need to visit an ineffective principal’s school to learn this. But we can always reap good ideas from successful educators. Here are some points to ponder upon.

What Great Principals do differently

1. They work to help all staff members understand the impact they have in their own classrooms.

2. They treat everyone with respect, everyday all the time.

3. They create a positive atmosphere.

4. They understand the power of praise and must be authentic.

5. They understand that one of a teachers’ most important task is to model appropriate behavior.

6. They understand that they are the filters for the day-to-day reality of school.

7. They know that their primary role is to teach the teachers.

8. They focus on students likewise focusing on teachers.

9. They goal is to hire great teachers. It’s not the experience that tells the best teacher, the best teacher is  the best teacher.

10.They don’t let hot-button issues shift their focus from

what really matters.

11.They spend their human resources carefully, aware of the limited value of money mandates from on high.

12.They focus on the behaviors that lead to success, not the beliefs that stand in the way of it.

13.They can and should instill their values and beliefs at the heart of their schools.

14.They are loyal to their students, to their teachers and to the school.

15.They have a strong core of beliefs-principles that guide their decisions touchstones that help them distinguish right from wrong, goals that define their vision for the school.

A school year is a journey that takes many different terms.

One of the most exciting aspects of being a principal is that each day is so different. For effective principals, the start of the school year is a chance to set the tone for the school year and more importantly, for the school. The opening of the school is a new opportunity to move our teachers forward.

As a principal we have the responsibility to support our

teachers. Every principal’s experience is unique, and every school is different. But great principals regardless of student clientele, grade levels or school size- have much in common.

By: PAULINE B. ROXAS, Ed.D. | Head Teacher III | Bagumbayan Elementary School | Pilar, Bataan

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