What do you envision to be the pitfalls you might face as a first year principal, and how will you implement the strategies learned to overcome the pitfalls?

First year principals must have a difficult time finding balance between tradition and the desire to do things differently, especially since it is important to respect the existing culture within the building. Teachers are used to doing things the same way every year because “it’s how they’ve always done it.” As a principal, I would strive to build authentic relationships with staff members in order to gain their trust and respect. I would make sure to show respect to my predecessor and instill changes in small quantities, only when necessary. Without knowing any building processes, it would be important for me to establish trusting relationships with a variety of stakeholders, since classroom teachers, parents and school counselors might view the same situation from three different perspectives. I would strive to keep my core values at the forefront of all my decisions. Prioritizing the endless “to do” list would probably be my biggest pitfall, so it would be important for me to focus my attention on the problems having the largest effect on teaching and learning.


How has this course prepared you to use 21st century leadership skills as you model a new culture for collaborating, analyzing student performance, and continually reflecting on instructional practices, school climate and quality decision-making?

One of the things I appreciated most from this course was the emphasis on the perspectives of various stakeholders. Too often, we get stuck in our own mindsets and have difficulty seeing situations through a different lens. After assuming the roles of psychologist, counselor, and reading specialist, I am more cognizant of the large scale impact that principals’ decisions have on the entire organization. I enjoyed brainstorming “look-fors” as a team and am a firm believer in the power of collaboration for a common goal. Each individual on my team brought a unique perspective to our group, requiring us to listen and respect each others’ opinions. This is an important skill that I will carry with me as I serve on committees, for it is important to let each individual have a voice in working towards the group’s main objective.