5 Things Principals Should Avoid At The Beginning of the Year

At the beginning of the school year, principals play a crucial role in setting the tone and establishing a positive working and learning environment for students, teachers, and staff. For principals who are new to their school, these first impressions are critical. While there is much to do before the students arrive, there are some things to steer clear of. Here are five things principals should avoid doing when staff returns and before students arrive on campus:

1. Overwhelm staff with excessive paperwork: While there are administrative tasks that need to be completed at the start of the school year, principals should be mindful not to overwhelm their staff with an excessive amount of paperwork. Provide clear guidelines, prioritize essential paperwork, and streamline processes to ensure that teachers can focus on preparing their classrooms for students.

2. Implement major changes without proper consultation: Introducing significant changes without proper consultation can lead to resistance and confusion among the staff. Principals should avoid making sudden policy shifts or implementing new initiatives without seeking input from teachers, staff, and other stakeholders. Collaborative decision-making can foster a sense of ownership and increase the likelihood of successful buy-in and implementation.

3. Neglect staff development and support: Effective principals prioritize professional development and support for their staff. Neglecting these areas can lead to demotivation and hinder professional growth. Principals should allocate time and resources to provide relevant training, mentoring opportunities, and ongoing support throughout the year.

4. Fail to communicate expectations clearly: Clear communication of expectations is vital to establish a positive and productive school culture. Principals should avoid being vague or assuming that everyone understands the expectations. Take the time to articulate expectations regarding behavior, teaching practices, communication protocols, and any other relevant areas to ensure that everyone is on the same page.

5. Ignore the well-being of students and staff: The well-being of students and staff should be a top priority for principals. Ignoring or neglecting their emotional and physical well-being can lead to an unhealthy school climate. Principals should actively promote a supportive and inclusive environment, implement strategies to address mental health needs, foster positive relationships, and ensure that the school community feels safe and cared for.

Remember, these are general guidelines, and each school context may have specific needs and challenges that require a tailored approach. Effective principals remain flexible, approachable, and responsive to the unique needs of their school community throughout the year.

The Principal’s Desk was founded by Dr. David Franklin. Dr. Franklin is an award winning school administrator, education professor, curriculum designer, published author and presenter at national and international education conferences. He is also the co-author of “Can Every School Succeed” and the upcoming release: “Advice From The Principal’s Desk”.