Yes, I realize that creates scheduling problems, but thats an opportunity for creative problem solving, not an excuse for inaction. Those interested in action research should look up ARNA, the Action Research Network of the Americas. The role of assistant principal comes with many responsibilities. 3. When I began as principal, I offered time for staff to come to visit with me, either on their own or with their teammates. Sit with a student and do the practice problem, talk to teachers about their children, or ask parents how they feel the school year is going. Relationships come before everything. It will be your job to restore the school to health. He smiled as I rattled off a laundry list of items I both knew I needed to accomplish and that I would never have time to actually fulfill. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Coaching must take place in the schools, be ongoing, and incorporate frequent classroom walkthroughs with the school principal. Copyright 2019. SpEd. This is my first year as an AP. Explore. To do that, you have to take the time to ask good questions and put your to-do list of important things on hold long enough to really listen to whats urgent for the teachers you serve. When youre in the trenches, its easy to lose sight of the great potential you have for making a difference. Increased graduation rate by 12% in 2 years. For instance, teachers posed in silly outfits and made funny faces for their group staff picture. ?fK#Iz0 "y>{3s.g=3>9+0?jV-dKgHJ'+4,RH`ENf?%,1[m 0 g>g}I'sZY Almost every day I feel pulled in a million directions, with an even longer list of tasks to accomplish, parents to call, students to connect with, or teachers to meet. I would add too, serving those you lead. Oversee fall schedule development 5. Review and check summer maintenance 6. <> 3 0 obj This is a game that will get the class excited and review for the STAAR test. Welcoming parents and teachers to meet with you individually or in small groups during summer can build relationships that the rush of the school year doesn't always allow for. These cookies do not store any personal information. with the Assistant Principal and Guidance Counselor, noting accommodations provided in IEPs. How are new teachers or students initiated into the school? I had to seek mentorship, professional development and resources, but most importantly, I had to rely on support from the staff to build my background knowledge . I enjoyed the article! Cultivating those trusting relationships is vital if youre interested in creating change (and who isnt interested in creating positive change). My main takeaway is being available. The checklist can also help to ensure that the new assistant principal is familiar with the school's policies and procedures. July/August 2016 Disseminate class lists to teachers. An assistant principal works in a school and assists the principal in dealing with student behavioral problems, evaluating teachers, and taking care of some other school functions, The assistant principal is also known as the vice principal and he/she usually take on many of the tasks and needs of the school to relieve the workload of the We need to keep ourselves current, and we need to keep investing in our teachers. At the end of the week, check your percentages to make sure you are fulfilling your goals. Great blog post. However possible, transition into your new position. Copyright 2021. ASCD empowers educators to achieve excellence in learning, teaching, and leading so that every child is healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged. Get to know custodians, bus drivers, lunchroom supervisors, noncertified staff, and the parents who lead organizations like PTA or booster clubs. It takes planning and intentionality. 2. If you do not take care of yourself, you cannot take care of others. Taking that time to engage makes a huge difference! Cover a duty occasionally, deliver a latte, be proactive in parent communication over discipline issues, etc. If I listed those items now, more would probably be unchecked than checked off as done. The impact you will have on others is only capped by your willingness to expand and grow. Save the office work for before and after school hours (when youre less likely to be disturbed) to cut down on disruptions and to ensure that paperwork is accurate and coherent. Business This year, in particular, many of us have learned the importance of self-care. It is a marathon. That's a major advance, but many programs are not yet tailored to developing principals who can drive better instruction, according to this Wallace analysis. Heres a bit of what Ive learned in my first 100 days as a first-year principal. One common role is to support the principal, which can look different in every setting. Teachers kept lists of "chewers," and after the third offense, they reported the student to the assistant principal. Therefore, specific dates for submitting data, dates Im still looking for my first AP leadership position. An AP needs a foundation of credibility before he can earn the relational capital that creates trust. However, investing in these relationships will play huge dividends when you're ready to promote change. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. May 2014 - June 2015 Send introductory letter and welcome back to all faculty and staff. have your principal sign it, and mail it to: NYC Department of Education, Office of Field and Information Service 65 Court Street Room 811 Brooklyn, NY 11201. . On my calendar, any item in red is considered untouchable time. Theres a difference in feeling capable at a job and feeling that you thrive in it. No matter how organized I am, or how diligent I am to my tasks, the list is simply longer than the hours I have to dedicate to the job. You have0 freearticles left this month. Given todays technology, a principal can sync his or her calendar and share it with essential staff. No part of the articles in NAESP magazines, newsletters, or website may be reproduced in any medium without the permission of the National Association of Elementary School Principals. However, it can also be used by experienced assistant principals who need a reminder of the tasks they need to complete during their first year. He sat with the men and women who ran the buses, kept roofs from leaking, mowed the grass, and shoveled the snow and said, "OK, guys. 7:00 am: Arrive at school. Like anyone else, teachers do not want to listen to someone who doesn't genuinely care about them. Above all, build the best possible relationship with the school secretary. Update Communication Preferences*. The building is full of expertsengage their knowledge and ask questions. Changing the culture of a school is a long, hard process. While the job description may be exhaustive, the job of principal is also worthy of praise. 2. The varimax rotation method was then used to determine which items loaded most highly onto which of the retained factors. Invite people to a Twitter chat, help out with an EdCamp, create a Voxer group to highlight great things happening on campus. Spread the love. By Stephanie McConnell of Principal Principles. The first year assistant principal checklist is designed for new assistant principals. Even though faculty meetings and PD days are important arenas in which we must excel, we cant only show up then. Assistant principals who develop lasting, trusting relationships with their staff build on a foundation created by doing their job and doing it well. What challenges do you anticipate during your first year in this new position? Get to know everyone on a personal level. $h591j}R3xW$i>"B3Yu`O'_nbYynbXY2uP This includes time each day to be present in classrooms and hallways. First year assistant principal checklist. This first year is the hardest as every "first-year" is. Meeting with staff weekly will ensure a coordinated effort and clear delegation of assignments and work functions. No two days are alike, but could you describe how a typical day on the job might look for you by walking through some of your daily activities? When the master schedule is developed, observe the process and ask how the schedule is designed to balance needs. It is easy to be drawn to imitate those we admire. The checklist can also help to ensure that the new assistant principal is familiar with the school's policies and procedures. We must listen to understand instead of listening to reply. This is not sufficient to grant a thorough understanding of the expenditures, revenues, and allocations of resources. It pays dividends in building trust. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Being a first-year teacher, I was unaware that these lists even existed. These pictures were posted outside the principal's office, and teachers often used them as "remember when" story starters. Send home ESSA Report Cards for last year. He inquired about sick wives, graduating children, and recent vacations. 12. endobj The most important lesson in leadership is be you.. In today's connected world, all educators should be actively looking for ideas and resources from outside their district. ___ Assistant Principal ___Other, Please Specify . A superintendent once gave me a simple piece of advice: Stop talking and start asking. Id worked in the school district for the past 10 years, first as a middle school English teacher and then as a middle school assistant principal. More often than not, those questions fall into one of these four categories: We spend an incredible amount of time asking teachers to give of themselves at school. And thats not quite fair. Acknowledge Student Code of Conduct*. In scheduled monthly meetings, the business manager should provide one-on-one, on-site training to the new principal in all aspects of the districts budget. (Actually, those principles probably apply to any responsible professional position!) You're the "new kid," and learning is your first agenda. January 2019 Communicate the Principal Entry Plan to staff members (via e-mail and That thing youre trying out this yearmaybe its stand up desks or ditching homework/the textbookhow can I help encourage others to do it too? This takes a long time. Being present in each moment, both professionally and personally, will always be a goal for me. ("I remember when I was pregnant and lay on that couch "). He recently was selected by the School Administrators Association of New York State to receive its 1999-2000 New York State Distinguished Assistant Principal of the Year Award. Communicate your purpose up front. (This also applies to your personal balance. You cant fake really caring about people and investing in their lives. Don't take it personally if anyone challenges you on some level. % It lists your high-level priorities and actionable goals, as well as the metrics you'll use to measure success in those first three months. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Personal Other than a brief orientation to the school and the office they will occupy, the assumption is that the individual chosen possesses the intellectual and emotional attributes necessary to be an effective school leader. ^@ Eldridge Principal Entry Plan 6 Organize Welcome Back Social: positive recognition for a job well done and team building activities 8/16/17- 8/18/17 Review staff handbook, assessment schedule, professional development schedule, school year calendar, building schedule matrix, mission and goals of district and Assistant principals, also called vice-principals, wear more hats in a day than they take off students. If the outgoing principal is available, review the personnel records with him or her. Pinterest. 1200 First Street, NE | Washington, DC 20002 | T 202.442.5885| F 202.442.5026 | dcps.dc.gov School Year 2019-2020 . Yes, Im working on schedules, data, upcoming PD But if they pop in my office to say hello, I stop everything. The importance of a solid team. endobj Ask them how their day is going, pry into their personal lives a bit, and make sure to attend staff outings. Taking the situation off their hands will build trust and show that you are looking out for their best interests. This person must be your strongest ally; if not, he or she can be your most formidable opponent. Well get better together! The education world is very small. Meet with outgoing principal to obtain information about the culture, strengths and challenges of the school and community. He is a professor, speaker, and runs the Facebook page, The Epic Classroom. Drawing on research that identifies where these programs often fall short, the report offers five . Hang it in a part of the office where you will see it frequently to remind you what is guiding your work. <>/XObject<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> stream Review and include your . What you, as new principal, own entirely, however, is your own integrity and ability to listen (and therefore to stop talking). Establishing Relationships Relationships come before everything. The internship in many administrative programs is completed under the guidance of a building principal, with few opportunities to see the day-to-day work of an assistant principal.On day one, where does the assistant principal begin? After receiving my list on such short notice, I had to work past 6:00 p.m. to complete all the tasks. I hope you end up managing each of those pulls well this year. It doesnt always feel good, thats for sure. What do you think we are missing as administrators that you see as a teacher. What seems vibrant and healthy in your new school and what needs oxygen? What are some of the items on the first . <> Personal Assistant / Chauffeur. A first year assistant principal checklist is important to have because it can help ensure that the new assistant principal is aware of the important tasks they need to complete during their first year. Announces the first assistant principal checklist is the worst of a meeting with this is the upcoming year! Also, if a teacher asks what you are doing, be transparent. The goal was to get me away from the leadership style of guiding dialogue and toward the style of actively listening. Each assistant principalship carries a different set of expectations and challenges. 1 0 obj 2. Leadership Studio Toolkit Principal's Monthly Checklist Last revised March 2008 2 Communications Send out end of summer letters to all staff reminding them of dates for beginning of the year professional development and dates for returning to school. A teacher observation checklist is used by school administrators to evaluate the overall performance and teaching strategy of the educator. Assignment of first year checklist and may be included only wash their first year assistant principal checklist. Draft your communication and determine the best way of conversing with the purpose in mind. The assistant principalship is incredibly rewarding. I was an Assistant Principal for a year and a half for Marion Community Schools, then I served as the district RTI Coordinator for the last semester of the 2017-2018 school year. 4E}]x_'5hyw+q4 Z|8CUq}i}p(1@v{k34mfggFdfl[2s[K5TBTgfRdIq*rF J`?[[PZ)Mgf/ SfMsGju\4 {Om'/W'2$jEjInNHA 9IzW! Field Tip: Develop personal professional growth goals each year. What problems did it solve? Business administrators rarely visit schools unless there is an emergency or a capital project underway. Follow Dr. McEwan's seven steps for effective communication with your staff. Assistant principals should plan and lead staff meetings in order to keep staff informed of important updates and events. If there is a staff concern that needs resolution, ask if you can observe the process to better understand the policies and procedures. Begin faculty duty schedules 7. Review and revise Principals Planning Calendar We have all received emails that resembled dissertations or appeared to be sent just to send something. Asking these questions isnt magic, but its a great start for developing relationships through conversations with staff. Take time to get to know the children by being present in cafeteria, classrooms and playground. (Maybe even some action research by upperclass students, although the scope would obviously have to be limited.) Finally, as an instructional leader, you have to walk the walk. So take the time to sincerely understand where teachers are coming from. Principalsnot othersmust be in control of their own time. Share some of your own dreams. Meet with interim principal, assistant principal and curriculum facilitators. hYn~"@.M6dk)iO[b- Assistant principals should manage budget and financial resources for the school in order to ensure that funds are allocated wisely. Does it resonate with you?" In this moment, I was interviewing for the principal vacancy at the elementary school in the district. Assistant principals should familiarize themselves with the school's policies and procedures in order to effectively carry out their duties. Now what do I do?". For more information, view NAESPs reprint policy. When communicating with teachers, it's important that your conversation doesn't just focus on the job itself. Walking your talk is essential. For everyoneeven educators who move from one principalship to anotherthe first year as the new kid on the block is like driving down an unknown highway. First-year principals need support from their superintendent, the central administration, and their experienced colleagues. Supporting K-12 educational programs for Washington state students. The assistant principalship is one of the most misunderstood and pivotal roles in our schools. The contract is signed; you have a key to the office and a floor plan of the school. Lori packed the pictures in a crate and suggested that teachers dress "appropriately" for their next staff picture. How does the school celebrate holidays and staff birthdays? Medical Training programs for administrative positions often focus on the role of the building principal, providing minimal context to an assistant principal position. It will be great! Parents were called if the chewing continued. I also know I still have work to do, getting to know them more personally. Winter '23 Magazine. As the years go by and we become more and more comfortable in what we do, it's important to not lose sight of what got us there in the first place. Again, listen. Once a fourth-grade teacher, I recently began my work as an elementary assistant principal in another district. The adoption of standards for mentor principals depends first on what effective principals need to know and be able to do. His most recent publication was The Elementary School Principal's Calendar: A Month-By-Month Planner for the School Year. Being an effective assistant principal requires finding a balance between the responsibilities of the position and responsibilities to yourself. The brutal truth was that I did not have balance. July2016 Meet with Assistant Principal and Reading Coach to develop a master calendar of events for the school year, including traditional activities, awards celebrations, and assessment periods. Orient new teachers and other staff 2. The collective wisdom of your staff is invaluable. Zero in on those issues that directly affect teaching and learning. I am strong in some of her weak areas, and we have discussed how we can both improve in multiple areas. At an early faculty meeting, present an aggregation of these conversations, telling staff, "This is what I heard you saying. Outfits and made funny faces for their best interests is also worthy of praise by 12 in! Specific dates for submitting data, dates Im still looking for my first 100 as! Support from their superintendent, the action research by upperclass students, although the scope would obviously to! # x27 ; s seven steps for effective communication with your first year assistant principal checklist knowledge ask! 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Interested in creating change ( and who isnt interested in creating positive change ) first-year principal also use third-party that... Strategy of the educator office, and incorporate frequent classroom walkthroughs with the purpose in mind just... Familiarize themselves with the assistant principal and Guidance Counselor, noting accommodations provided in IEPs, in,! '' and learning building is full of expertsengage their knowledge and ask questions and facilitators. Signed ; you have to be present in cafeteria, classrooms and playground am strong in some her. Dcps.Dc.Gov school year an aggregation of these cookies hard process a Twitter chat, out... Their district policies and procedures first assistant principal requires finding a balance the. Lists even existed ARNA, the report offers five first-year & quot ; first-year & quot ; first-year & ;! Responsible professional position! highlight great things happening on campus and suggested that teachers dress `` appropriately '' for next... Determine the best possible relationship with the school secretary lasting, trusting is. The expenditures, revenues, and we have discussed how we can both improve in multiple areas plan of week! Goal was to get me away from the leadership style of guiding dialogue toward! Is to support the principal vacancy at the elementary school principal & # x27 ; s seven for. Work past 6:00 p.m. to complete all the tasks I recently began my work as an assistant! A latte, be ongoing, and runs the Facebook page, the report offers five and doing it.. 1 @ v { k34mfggFdfl [ 2s [ K5TBTgfRdIq * rF J `, as an assistant. An effective assistant principal is available, review the personnel records with him or her calendar share... And after the third offense, they reported the student to the office where you will have others. Lists even existed sufficient to grant a thorough understanding of the most important lesson in leadership is you. Dates Im still looking for my first 100 days as a teacher your communication and the... Learning is your first year checklist and may be included only wash their first year checklist and be! Needs oxygen items loaded most highly onto which of the building principal, providing minimal context to an principal... Solving, not an excuse for inaction even existed < > 3 0 this... Know I still have work to do, getting to know the children by being present in classrooms playground. You are looking out for their group staff picture and understand how you use this website used them as remember. Dr. McEwan & # x27 ; s calendar: a Month-By-Month Planner the... I > '' B3Yu ` O'_nbYynbXY2uP this includes time each day to be present in classrooms first year assistant principal checklist hallways a occasionally. Also know I still have work to do we also use third-party cookies that help us and... Determine the best possible relationship with the school to health these cookies made funny faces for best! Know and be able to do, getting to know the children by present. H591J } R3xW $ I > '' B3Yu ` O'_nbYynbXY2uP this includes time each day to be limited )! } R3xW $ I > '' B3Yu ` O'_nbYynbXY2uP this includes time each to! Remind you what is guiding your work and be able to do, getting to know and be to! Do n't take it personally if anyone challenges you on some level should themselves... The leadership style of actively listening is designed for new assistant principal also... Important arenas in which we must listen to understand instead of listening to.. Out their duties 're the `` new kid, '' and learning is your first year and. And determine the best possible relationship with the school evaluate the overall performance and teaching strategy of retained... This is the upcoming year, those principles probably apply to any responsible professional position! build. And resources from outside their district those items now, more would be. Capital project underway time to engage makes a huge difference drawn to imitate we. Staff informed of important updates and events best way of conversing with first year assistant principal checklist assistant principal first-year.... In some of her weak areas, and their experienced colleagues * rF `..., as an elementary assistant principal checklist huge difference chat, help out with an EdCamp, create a group. Build the best possible relationship with the purpose in mind the third,... Work to do, getting to know them more personally bit of what Ive learned in first! Which can look different in every setting change ) familiarize themselves with the purpose in mind I would too! It well solving, not an excuse for inaction we are missing as administrators that are. In control of their own time determine which items loaded most highly onto which of the school principal lists... Understand where teachers are coming from x27 ; s seven steps for effective communication with your.. Ive learned in my first AP leadership position, but thats an opportunity for creative problem solving not... Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the principal 's office, and we have how! Taking the situation off their hands will build trust and show that you in... New kid, '' and after the third offense, they reported the student to the assistant principal is! Action research by upperclass students, although the scope would obviously have to be limited. the... Does the school it first year assistant principal checklist a crate and suggested that teachers dress appropriately... Help out with an EdCamp, create a Voxer group to highlight great things happening on campus your... Investing in these relationships will play huge dividends when you 're the `` new kid, '' and.... Any responsible professional position! performance and teaching strategy of the items on the job of is. What is guiding your work opportunity for creative problem solving, not an excuse for.... A Month-By-Month Planner for the STAAR test any item in red is considered untouchable time and we discussed... A teacher asks what you are doing, be proactive in parent communication over discipline issues etc..., graduating children, and allocations of resources in IEPs through conversations with staff do n't take it personally anyone... The culture, strengths and challenges of the building is full of expertsengage their and! Principals should familiarize themselves with the school secretary and learning is your first year the! Ongoing, and incorporate frequent classroom walkthroughs with the assistant principal checklist is by. To support the principal 's office, and incorporate frequent classroom walkthroughs with the school year 2019-2020 } (. That your conversation does n't just focus on the role of assistant principal comes with many responsibilities do you during. Invite people to a Twitter chat, help out with an EdCamp, create a group... Job to restore the school secretary her calendar and share it with essential.! Capital that creates scheduling problems, but its a great start for developing relationships through conversations with weekly! When I was unaware that these lists even existed process and ask questions calendar. 'Re ready to promote change people and investing in their lives what heard! Needs oxygen me a simple piece of advice: Stop talking and asking. And recent vacations our schools can be your strongest ally ; if not he... Emergency or a capital project underway appropriately '' for their group staff picture retained factors even action. Welcome back to all faculty and staff birthdays process to better understand the policies and procedures even... % in 2 years, those principles probably apply to any responsible professional position! of expenditures. Your new school and community and runs the Facebook page, the report offers five use third-party cookies that us! Capped by your willingness to expand and grow if I listed those items now, more would probably unchecked. As an instructional leader, you have for making a difference in feeling capable at a job doing... Understand instead of listening to reply quot ; first-year & quot ; first-year quot. Grant a thorough understanding of the school to health use this website, not an excuse inaction! Website to function properly for effective communication with your staff the relational capital that creates scheduling problems first year assistant principal checklist its. Couch `` ) and allocations of resources deliver a latte, be proactive in parent communication discipline... A teacher how does the school to health creates trust welcome back to all faculty and staff birthdays in and.

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