Did you know that October is National Principals Month? The title "principal" evolved from the concept of the "principal teacher" because early in U.S. education the principal was the lead teacher in a building and also was responsible for much of the operational part of the school such as evaluation, school finance, and student discipline. This changed in the early 20th century as the expectations of principals changed and so did the required training. In Wisconsin, principals are required to have at least three years of teaching experience and a graduate degree that is essentially a credential in School Leadership. The job continues to become more complex and demanding. I really appreciate the role, having served as a principal for seventeen years myself. Over the years, I have studied mounds of research on effective principals and their influence on student achievement, school climate, and the culture of schools. The research continues to document the important role that principals play in leading a successful school. This next year, in Wisconsin, all principals as part of their evaluation, will be held more accountable for the student achievement in the schools they lead. Teachers will also have more accountability in outcomes of the individual students they teach as part of the DPI Educator Effectiveness Initiatives. Hats of to both Dr. Don Galster, Bayside Principal, and Mrs. Karen Grimm-Nilsen, Stormonth Principal, for the fine job they do providing leadership in our schools. Both of them inspire me on a daily basis.
For more of my thoughts on the principalship, please see an article that I had published a few years ago
http://www.nassp.org/Content/158/PLFeb10_MyOpinion.pdf
