S3g: Principal Job Description

Principal’s Job Description

• Hold administrative license
• Instructional leader
• Lifelong learner
• Establish high standards and expectations for all
• Be visible
• Ensure a safe learning environment for all
• Evaluate the physical characteristics of the school and fix any problem areas
• Supervise instructional programs, evaluate lessons and teachers on a regular basis
• Works collaboratively with staff members, administration team and board of education
• Responsible for managing policies and procedures
• Communicate effectively with all stakeholders
• Develop master schedule
• Encourage the use of a variety of best teaching strategies and model these strategies
• Use research to make decisions and share this research with the staff
• Develop a school wide budget
• Review instructional materials and equipment when needed for possible replacement
• Evaluate lesson plans
• Observe classes on a regular basis
• Develop clear rules, consequences and policies for reporting discipline issues
• Be available for concerns
• Be a role model
• Collect data on achievement and constantly look for ways to improve
• Conduct staff meetings, attend administrative meetings and drop in on other meetings
• Prepare news releases
• Develop a system to track school inventory
• Report necessary repairs to district office
• Develop safety procedures, practice drills for disasters and emergencies
• Facilitate SIT meetings
• Complete reports for the board of education
• Be mindful of the school budget
• Know the policies and handbooks (staff and student)
• Perform duties as assigned by the Board of Education
• Supervise instructional programs
• Determine schedules for student supervision in non-classroom areas
• Notify appropriate personnel and agencies as necessary

Reflection:

As an administrator, it is imperative to know the expectations of the job.  An administrator needs to be held to the job requirements just as teachers are and if a responsibility isn’t being met then it is necessary to put in improvement plans.  The administrator needs to be the leader, the manager, the “go to” person and with all these titles come responsibilities.  A prepared administrator is proactive rather than reactive and one way to do this is to have policies in place prior to the policy being needed.