Great article! Non-negotiable at these meetings are the following ideas: Strive high; Every student has the potential; No excuses; S se puede [Yes, its possible] (Lein et al, 1997). He previously served as a school principal and middle school science teacher. Successful schools challenge English language learners with grade-level content. The challenge of creating the most appropriate instructional model rests with the school and community. This once again makes a principal seem far more approachable to both staff and students. Instead he should remain calm and proactive, in listening and understanding to everybody and come up with an optimal, unbiased solution which benefits all. Topics include specific learning and metacognitive strategies, cooperative learning and thematic units in the native language and English. Excellent Listener. Each of us has some weaknessesso do you, so do I. In discussing your weaknesses, be careful not to blame others or make negative comments about school districts. It can be useful for principals to have previous experience in various other teaching leadership roles, such as head of a department or organizer of a co-curricular activity (many principal postings will require you to have this previous experience anyway). Edutopia and Lucas Education Research are trademarks or registered trademarks of the George Lucas Educational Foundation in the U.S. and other countries. Second, staff differentiation is an alternative to adequately staffing a bilingual program. The principal must always encourage an environment for continuous learning in the school. Student assessment results are discussed and used collaboratively with other teachers to plan and coordinate instruction (McCollum, 1999). Effects of Success for All on the Reading Achievement of First Graders in California Bilingual Programs (Los Alamitos, Calif.: Southwest Regional Educational Laboratory, 1995). Evaluating teachers is part of the regular rhythm of the school year, but it can also be a valuable moment for administrators to improve instruction and learning, writes Denisa R. Superville in 8 Ways to Make Teacher Evaluations Meaningful and Low-Stress in EdWeek. Initially, the use of a specific language is based on the relative proficiency of the student in the two languages. Schools have a clear understanding of levels of language and content instruction and use these levels for instructional planning to facilitate transition and efficient progress (Berman et al., 1995). Re-thinking the Education of Teachers of Language Minority Children: Developing Reflective Teachers for Changing Schools, Occasional Papers in Bilingual Education, Number 6 (Washington, DC: National Clearinghouse for Bilingual Education, 1992). Principals will also need to be bold and courageous. As a teacher, you most likely already possess many of the strong leadership qualities required to be a principal, but what are the most important skills required to become a good principal? You have to be diplomatic in your approach with students, teachers, and parents. Think about your experience and personality. Ogbu, J.U., And M.E. When do I engage in leadership behavior and when am I supposed to manage the enterprise? within families and communities on the quality of education and achievement outcomes of English language learners. the curriculum. "Principals can spot strengths and weaknesses in instructional methods and classroom management, and provide the teacher early opportunities to make adjustments," she writes. We do not like to speak about our weaknesses. PDF Management and Leadership Issues for School Building Leaders - ed To prevent thought-block, consider if these strengths are relevant to your school. The climate that surrounds the instruction of English language learners must be positive, encouraging, and inviting for teachers, students and their families. Principals' comments shed some light on their perceptions of the program's and their mentor's strength and weaknesses. If you are especially interested in building a strong parent-teacher collaboration, check out our course and dig deeper on this topic. There are certain defining characteristics that a good principal will possess. Abelardo Villarreal, Ph.D., is the director of the IDRA Division of Professional Development. Challenge 3: Provide opportunities for collaborative planning and designing curriculum and lessons. Also, a large part of a principals job is to listen to teachers, staff, parents, and students. Your email address will not be published. Many of these failures are avoidable with hard work and dedication. Anything less than grade-level content will retard their normal progress in school and block students from access to an equal educational opportunity. On the 2017 eighth grade mathematics assessment, 38% of students without disabilities scored at the NAEP . what-are-the-biggest-problems-faced-by-public-school-principals Unite around the schools vision and discuss its meaning for all students, including English language learners. Effective Instruction for Language-Minority Students: An Early Childhood Case Study, Early Childhood Research Quarterly (1991) 6, 347-361. A good principal always encourages its teachers to make suggestions to the overall development of the school. Similarly a principal must envision the future of a school by charting both long and short term strategies taking into account external and internal changes to its environment. 2. Bilingual education and ESL programs have the facilities and resources available to do what it must do. Comments and questions may be directed to him via e-mail at feedback@idra.org. A wonder indicates he has a few questions. Must be honest and disciplined. In other words, English language learners should have the same opportunities as their English-speaking counterparts to take advantage of the curriculum. A good principal understands the significance of teamwork and develops a healthy team who can work together understanding each others strengths and weaknesses. We Should Be Concerned About the Mental Health of Principals A new principal in a school with a high percentage of English language learners and a campus considered academically low-performing may be especially challenged to create that climate. It may be as straightforward as hiring the right teacher or coach, implementing and supporting a new program, or offering a particular student the right motivation. You must effectively address each issue, or you will not be a principal for long. I would add that a good school Principal must also possess the ability to build respectful and trustful relationships. To be effective as a principal, it is important to possess outstanding leadership skills. Last, there should be a program for lateral and upward mobility of bilingual education staff. Crdenas and Crdenas make the following recommendations about staffing a bilingual education program (1977). Saunders, W., and G. OBrien, D. Lennon, J. McLean. Teachers receive training and know how to assess areas of student needs and plan instruction accordingly. ], 5815 Callaghan Road, Suite 101 Studies reveal that an effective school principal contributes significantly to student achievement by enabling better teacher performance and reduced absenteeism. This asset-based approach focuses on strengths of the family and embraces the we concept, in which schools and families share an attitude of mutual resolve to seeking solutions that affect the quality of education. If you do not feel you can handle the cons, stay away from this profession. Consider aspects such as: the student body. Make no mistake that this impact is significant and direct. Challenge 10: Align curriculum both horizontally and vertically. Coaching for New Principals Can Provide a Critical Pillar of Support They must conduct periodic evaluations of staff performance and convey it in most effective and considerate manner. Schools care for the welfare of families by providing opportunities to access various social services available in the community. Schools usually do not view these critical human relationships with much seriousness. Lucas, T., and R. Henze, R. Donato. School principals are appointed on the basis of their teaching record rather than their leadership potential (Mestry & Singh, 2007). Principals in successful schools kept their ear to the ground and always identified teachers who demonstrated the will and the competency to implement quality bilingual education programs. +39 055 1997 3220. Students language and culture should be valued and seen as an asset and a strength to build upon and not as a deficit that must be obliterated. You can go into a day with a solid plan of things to do and fail to accomplish a single thing that you expected. If you have any other skills which you think would be useful for a principal, share them with us in the comments! They encourage their teachers to be positive, fun, and spontaneous. A weakness was seen in the ceasing support after 18 months. I. ASSESSING WHAT MATTERS MOST Effective leadership is vital to the success of a school. This partnership shares a vision and develops a plan for making that vision a reality. They were, however, guided by a shared and dynamic vision of success that kept them seeking for more effective methods to deliver instruction. Bilingual and mainstream teachers at each grade level should meet to plan their grade level instruction collaboratively, thus ensuring alignment horizontally. Lack of Knowledge or Skill Lack of Content Knowledge Resume Refresh? PDF The Characteristics of an Effective School Leader Chris Barkman - ed Ample opportunities are provided for English language learners to hear adults who are native language speakers at both the social and academic levels (Caldern, Hertz-Lazarowitz and Slavin, 1996; Gersten, 1996). Why Become an Assistant Principal in a Middle or High School? Very Nice and educational topic on leadership skills for principals. Some of those include making a series of damaging hires, failing to protect a student who has been bullied, and keeping a teacher who is known to be ineffective. Problem-solving skills are arguably one of the most important skills for a principal to have, since on a daily basis, principals are presented with a range of problems from funding issues to students home issues. You cannot always say what you want to say. This can be exciting and keeps things fresh. A task for the principal is to get teachers, administrators, families and communities together to develop a vision that is inclusive of all students. Time is allocated specifically for explicit basic and higher order thinking skills instruction; time schedules vary accordingly (Escamilla, 1994). Weaknesses refer to the things the organization needs to improve. In order to become a good leader, and therefore a good principal, you should not only ensure that you have good communication and IT skills. Principals should communicate the vision and goals of the school to the staff and students. Schools ensure that reading comprehension and writing skills are developed in the strongest language and provide opportunities to demonstrate their transfer in English (Wong-Fillmore et al., 1985). Talk about ways to create more stories that relate successes with students, including English language learners. Goals and objectives for the bilingual program flow from the mainstream curriculum; learning standards are not lowered. the staff. Good listening skills are at the core of becoming a good principal. As a teacher, you often only have an impact on the students you teach. The most important thing is that you keep all parties informed about what is going on at the school. Challenge 12: Ensure and deliver grade-level content. Look at the list of strengths one more time. Top 10 Qualities of a Good School Principal | PikMyKid For example, schools with effective bilingual education programs create small organizational arrangements (e.g., families and academic teams to build cohesion and unity of purpose, to augment communication among teachers and to create a system of support) (Villarreal and Sols, 1998). Create stories about reasons for celebrating. These campuses embrace a philosophy that values what English language learners bring to the school another language, another culture and a set of unique experiences that are not part of the mainstream. Have an upfront conversation with your child about his or her academic performance. First, staff must be informed of and acknowledge the unique characteristics of language-minority students. Recruiting teachers who have their heart in the right place and are well informed on the most recent research on effective instructional practices is at the core of the problem. McLoed, B. They schedule meaningful professional development and training for their staff. Research indicates that there is no set of instructional strategies that was present in every successful school that has been studied. Following are just a few of the positive points of the job. What are your strengths and weaknesses? - Assistant Principal Interview In many cases, this can mean attending events three to four nights a week during the school year. A Descriptive Study of Significant Features of Exemplary Special Alternative Instructional Programs, Final Report and Vol. Students are provided opportunities for interaction with English-speaking peers (McLoed, 1996). For example bad communication skills, or weak organization skills, could easily jeopardize your chances to succeed in an interview. Caldern, M., and R. Hertz-Lazarowitz, R. Slavin. Capitalizing on Students Language and Cultural Resources, Abelardo Villarreal, Ph.D. Challenge 6: Provide guidance to new teachers; protect them from the influence of other teachers who overtly or covertly are sabotaging any innovative school reform. Principals are usually expected to attend almost every extra-curricular event. Before an evaluation is finalized, ask for a teachers feedback on how they thought the class unfolded. Dianda, M., and J. Flaherty. Nurtures and sustains a family environment that is inclusive of parents, students and teachers (McLoed, 1996). As discussed earlier, you will receive credit for successes. Sergiovanni summarizes these findings around seven themes, each stressing the importance of caring relationships based on mutual respect and trust (1994). The partnership that ensues provides a firm foundation for educational renewal and community regeneration. San Antonio, TX 78228, Phone: 210-444-1710 5 Great Characteristics of a School Principal - Best Colleges Online Assessment is conducted in the students native language and English when appropriate (McCollum, 1999). For example, bilingual education and ESL programs have been mislabeled as remedial programs since their inception. English language learners have access to grade-level content; curriculum is not watered down (McLoed, 1996). Lessons learned from the study include the following. Meador, Derrick. ), Issues in English Language Development (Rosslyn, Va.: National Clearinghouse for Bilingual Education, 1985). Take all factors of both sides into consideration before making your final decision. As a principal, your impact is not limited to a single classroom. These constant dealings with all things negative can become overwhelming. Each of us has some weaknesses. SWOT analysis for schools, teachers and education, colleges and universities - Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats in an educational environment. How did you cope with stress you experienced as a teacher (assistant principal)? Role as a School Leader A school principal is the primary leader in a school building. Second, this article discusses key challenges that principals face in campuses with these demographics. They use and teach in English and the native language. Being decisive gives the impression to both staff and students that you know what you are doing and you are confident in your abilities. The Assistant Principal's Field Guide | NASSP January 2021 The assistant principalship is one of the most misunderstood and pivotal roles in our schools. Short, informal visits can yield lots of information about the total classroom environment. Teachers require assistance on a daily basis. Principals assigned the responsibility of turning around a campus that has been struggling with academic low performance and a negative image in the minds of the major stakeholders in the community are faced with complex and difficult challenges. Reframing the Debate: The Roles of Native Language in English-Only Programs for Language-Minority Students, TESOL Quarterly (Autumn 1994). Each case is different, but they are all negative. Values and celebrates student linguistic and cultural diversity (Lein, Johnson and Ragland, 1997; Ogbu and Matute-Bianchi, 1986). Clearly detail why you are interested and give specific facts and details. Visit classrooms frequentlynot only when you do a formal evaluation. Create stories about the successes in education at the campus. Coordinate activities with grade level lead teachers to involve bilingual teachers in planning and implementing grade level instruction. School Reform and Student Diversity: Case Studies of Exemplary Practices for English Language Learner Students (Berkeley, Calif.: National Center for Research on Cultural Diversity and Second Language Learning and B.W. The ideal qualities of an effective school principal, Teacher development is as important as student development, How schools can expand their brand presence and reach, NCLE and Schoolvoice sign agreement to enhance digital education with cutting-edge technology, 10 Best Classroom Apps to Promote Good Morale At Classrooms. Instead, a principal is responsible for every student, every teacher/coach, every supporting member, and every program in their building. Think about it: Someone who struggles to list their own strengths would likely struggle to identify the strengths and weaknesses of other people (students, teachers, etc). The education of English language learners is also guided by the same educational standards that have been adopted by the local district. Challenge 11: Establish a program that capitalizes on the linguistic strengths of students and families in the community. You will also have total control over daily decisions, including student discipline, teacher evaluations, professional development, and so on. South Carolina economics and international relations teacher Keith Brayman says frequent visits and informal chats with his administrators makes the formal assessment low-stress. An Education Week Research Center survey looked at the difference in perceptions about feedback between teachers and administrators: 38 percent of principals said informal feedback should be given weekly, while 56 percent of teachers suggested that a few times a year was preferable. Check out our course Leadership and Management in Schools to find out more! Teachers consistently receive training and are provided technical assistance when the need arises. Principals' weak leadership characteristics according to teachers The only time you typically deal with students face-to-face is because of a discipline issue. In this particular case, a paraprofessional who was a teacher in Mexico but did not have certain related credentials in the United States was hired to teach Spanish. If you believe that the cons are only roadblocks, and the pros are well worth it, then go for it. Supik. Symbolic Leadership A perspective guided by meaning, belief and personal commitment. Similarly a principal must envision the future of a school by charting both long and short term strategies taking into account external and internal changes to its environment. Consider what people in your area are likely to see as weaknesses. Here are three areas where principals of schools can improve their schools regardless of financial situation. Thank you very for this insight. of school leader professional development 35 6.2 Illustrating aspects of the proposed model of the stages and dimensions in the . As the building principal, you will also get credit when credit is due. New teachers are vulnerable individuals who learn quickly to accede to the whims of indecisive administrators and an apathetic faculty. The campus has a turbulent past, has had a reshuffling of staff, and needs a new beginning for students who expect educational equity and excellence and a fair chance to graduate from high school and college. Schools use a diversity of teaching approaches to ensure that all children have access to learning in the most efficient and effective manner (Lucas, Henze and Donato, 1990). Below is a list of these challenges and a discussion of successful strategies that have been used to create the change opportunities conducive to student success. Principal Interview Questions Successful Texas Schoolwide Programs: Research Study Results (Austin, Texas: The Charles A. Dana Center at the University of Texas at Austin, 1997). Interviewers are (or at least they should be) capable of recognizing your strengths and weaknesses, without a need to inquire about them. Families play a key role in promoting the cognitive and academic development of their children, and their contributions should be coordinated and integrated into the learning environment (Montemayor, 1997). Schools and families join forces to advocate childrens rights (Robledo Montecel et al., 1993). Structural Leadership Uses organization designs that promote maximum efficiency and success. This has become even more important due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting move to online learning across the world which means that teachers now have to rely on technology more so than ever before. Make your vision for the school clear not only to your staff, parents, and students but also to yourself. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/what-are-some-pros-and-cons-of-being-a-principal-3194531. Teachers use cross-cultural interactions where students and teachers learn from each others differences. When someone associated with the school is recognized for outstanding achievement in some area, it typically means that the right decisions have been made. For A., it all started a little before 11 a.m. on March 20, 2017.
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