Principals take on a range of responsibilities encompassing almost every aspect of running a school. They guide curriculum, set agendas, and ensure the school is giving every student the best possible opportunities.
If you are considering becoming a school principal, this article can help answer the following questions:
If you would like more information on becoming a school principal, explore the Online Master of Science in Educational Administration or Doctorate in Education (EdD) Programs offered by Gwynedd Mercy University, or call 844-707-9064 to request more information.
A school principal manages the operations of their school, including staff and budget management. They usually lead elementary schools, middle schools, or high schools. They report to the superintendent and ensure their school runs smoothly while adhering to local, state, and federal requirements. They are responsible for school safety and scholastic performance, and keeping their students and staff happy and performing to the best of their abilities. Daily responsibilities will vary depending upon the size of the school and its resources.
School principals juggle many roles, including but not limited to the following:
The most successful school principals often possess the following qualities:
Becoming a school principal starts with building a solid foundation of education and then moving on to gaining practical experience in the field. Most schools require principal candidates to have classroom teaching experience. Most public school principals must be licensed school administrators in their state, most often with a graduate degree in education administration or a related field.
The common steps to becoming a school principal are:
Your bachelor's degree will introduce you to key concepts in education and student assessment methods.
Internships allow you to apply what you've learned in your classes to real-world scenarios and hone the skills you'll need as an educator.
Before you can become a certified teacher, you must pass your state's required licensing exams.
The final step in becoming a teacher is to apply to your state's department of education for a teaching certificate.
Now, it's time to gain more real-world experience. When you're working as a teacher, pay attention to how your school's leadership operates and the tasks associated with making a school run well.
Earning a master's degree or doctoral degree (like the ones offered by Gwynedd Mercy University) will allow you to develop practical managerial skills that will help you nurture talent in your teachers and staff and gain insight into issues of school finance, law, and community relations.
Before you can take an administrative position with your school, you'll need to pass your state's school administrator license tests and apply for your school administrator's license.
Now you're ready to take on the added responsibility of school management. You can apply for roles such as vice-principal and principal.
The best administrators make continued learning and improvement a priority. You can continue your education, earn more credentials, and position yourself to further your career by earning post-master’s certificates like GMercyU’s Online Principal Certification Program (K-12) Post-Master's.
We hope this article answered your questions about pursuing a career as a school principal. If you have more questions or are interested in taking the next steps in your professional journey by earning your Master of Science in Educational Administration, Doctorate in Education or Online Principal Certification Program (K-12) Post-Master's, don't hesitate to reach out. Call 844-707-9064 to request more information.