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Principals

Education news, analysis, and opinion that focuses on principals and their roles in K-12 schools

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Hour by Busy Hour: What a Principal's Day Actually Looks Like
From the time they wake up until they set the alarm at night, school leaders juggle the routine, the unexpected, and the downright bizarre.
Principal and teacher walking through a school hallway.
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School & District Management What Principals Can Do So Teachers Don't Dread Observations
Principals can make walkthroughs more palatable. Here's how.
Olina Banerji, January 21, 2025
6 min read
It's the time of year to develop current teachers and look ahead to future hires.
Vanessa Solis/Education Week via Canva
School & District Management Opinion This Time of Year, Principals Have Two Jobs. Here’s How to Ace Them Both
Here are 4 tips on how to finish this school year strong—while preparing for the next.
S. Kambar Khoshaba, January 21, 2025
3 min read
Conceptual illustration of classroom conversations and fragmented education elements coming together to form a cohesive picture of a book of classroom knowledge.
Sonia Pulido for Education Week
School & District Management Opinion When School Leaders Deliver Bad Directives
One of the upshots of issuing lame orders is breaking the trust of teachers, which may never be regained.
Larry Ferlazzo, January 21, 2025
10 min read
Fairmount Elementary School principal Trey Arrington high-fives student Willow Belcher as she walks into the school for the first full day of the 2023-2024 academic year on Aug. 8, 2023, in Bristol, Tenn.
A high five! Fairmount Elementary School principal Trey Arrington welcomes student Willow Belcher as she walks into the school for the first full day of the 2023-24 academic year on Aug. 8, 2023, in Bristol, Tenn.
Emily Ball/Bristol Herald Courier via AP
Student Well-Being What Principals Can Do to Get 69´«Ă˝ Excited to Learn After Winter Break
Principals are giving warm welcomes after winter break. They also want students to get serious about their academics.
Olina Banerji, January 9, 2025
5 min read
Being able to empathize with both the dark and light sides of teaching and administrative work.
Vanessa Solis/Education Week via Canva
School & District Management Opinion When I Left the Classroom for Administration, Did I Join the Dark Side?
When I became a school leader, I thought I’d still always be a teacher first. It wasn’t that simple.
Sarah Berman, January 7, 2025
4 min read
Teacher helping student, focused; observation.
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School & District Management Teachers Hate Observations. What Principals Can Do to Ease Their Stress
Walkthroughs often leave teachers feeling anxious and unprepared. There's a better way.
Olina Banerji, January 6, 2025
5 min read
principal resolutions 1395401467
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School & District Management Here’s What Principals Resolve to Do Better in 2025
Principals share their New Year's resolutions, from more celebrations to less time in the office.
Olina Banerji, December 31, 2024
2 min read
Illustration of speech/thought bubbles.
DigitalVision Vectors
School & District Management Principals Polled: Where School Leaders Stand on 10 Big Issues
A look at how principals responded to questions on Halloween costumes, snow days, teacher morale, and more.
Olina Banerji, December 18, 2024
4 min read
A district liaison bridging the gap between 2 sides.
Vanessa Solis/Education Week via Canva
School & District Management Opinion You’re the Principal, and Your Teachers Hate a New District Policy. What Now?
This school leader committed to being a bridge between his district and school staff this year. Here’s what he learned.
Ian Knox, December 17, 2024
4 min read
School & District Management From Our Research Center What Worries Educators Most? It Depends on Their Jobs
Teachers, principals, and district leaders are losing sleep—just over different things.
Arianna Prothero & Vanessa Solis, December 13, 2024
2 min read
Two professionals talking in hallway
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School & District Management 3 Ways to Be an Instructional Leader: A Guide for Principals
Instructional leadership can mean different things to different administrators. A new report gives three common models.
Olina Banerji, December 13, 2024
6 min read
Screenshot 2024 12 09 at 12.54.36 PM
Canva
School & District Management Opinion What's the No. 1 Way to Retain Principals?
When it comes to the demands of the job, principals share common concerns, according to a recent survey.
Peter DeWitt & Michael Nelson, December 10, 2024
5 min read
School & District Management From Our Research Center The Top 10 Things That Keep Principals Up at Night
Principals’ jobs are hard, but what are their most common concerns? We asked, principals answered.
Arianna Prothero & Vanessa Solis, December 9, 2024
5 min read
Centering students in the school community.
Vanessa Solis/Education Week via Canva
School & District Management Opinion I Invited 69´«Ă˝ to Help Hire a New Assistant Principal. Here’s What Happened
What began as an opportunity for the students turned into a gift for our administrative team.
S. Kambar Khoshaba, December 3, 2024
3 min read