Principals

Education news, analysis, and opinion that focuses on principals and their roles in K-12 schools

Interactive

Hour by Busy Hour: What a Principal's Day Actually Looks Like
From the time they wake up until they set the alarm at night, school leaders juggle the routine, the unexpected, and the downright bizarre.
mental health 182746825
WoodenheadWorld/E+/Getty
Student Well-Being How Principals Can Help Support Students Through a Mental Health Crisis
Principals know the challenges—and can help with solutions.
Denisa R. Superville, May 29, 2023
5 min read
051223 Lead Sym Caitlynn jb BS
Chris Ferenzi for Education Week
School & District Management This Principal Says It's Critical to Infuse Students' and Teachers' Days With Joy
Part of a school leader's role is to guard against outside distractions so teachers can focus on kids, says Salome Thomas-EL.
Caitlynn Peetz, May 26, 2023
2 min read
Business like setting, with Black man on a laptop in a corporate conference room or office collaborating with a Black woman
E+/Getty
School & District Management Online Training Program to Boost Number of Principals of Color Expands
A New York City education college is the latest to join an online principal training program for educators of color and equity-minded leaders.
Denisa R. Superville, May 24, 2023
4 min read
Illustration of hands holding attached accordion paper dolls over a field of loose cut paper dolls
Vanessa Solis/Education Week via Canva
School & District Management Opinion When It Comes to DEI, Principals Must Be More Than Performative
It takes hard work turning your words into action. A principal shares what that looks like in her school.
Cameron K. Ramirez, May 23, 2023
4 min read
Illustration of children walking over missing puzzle piece.
SIphotography/Getty
School & District Management How an Elementary School Principal Slashed Chronic Absenteeism
Targeted parent communications, early interventions, teacher check-ins, and out-of-school supports all played a role.
Denisa R. Superville, May 22, 2023
7 min read
Black woman watering and growing a flower in which sits a happy white girl.
iStock/Getty Images Plus
School & District Management 5 Ways Principals Can De-Stress Teachers' Work Lives
New studies suggest principals really can make a difference.
2 min read
conceptual illustration representing looking back
Vanessa Solis/Education Week via Slack
School & District Management Opinion What I Wish I Knew When I Became a Principal
A veteran of school leadership shares four important lessons he learned in his 17 years on the job.
Dennis M. Williams Jr., May 9, 2023
5 min read
The words thank you cute out of white paper in the shape of a word bubble and on blue background.
iStock/Getty
School & District Management Principals, Here Are 4 Ways to Show Your Appreciation for Teachers
A sincere thank you and a day off to catch up on grading are among the ideas readers shared.
Marina Whiteleather, May 4, 2023
1 min read
Instructor Emily Daniels, left, raises her arms while leading a workshop helping teachers find a balance in their curriculum while coping with stress and burnout in the classroom, Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022, in Concord, N.H. School districts around the country are starting to invest in programs aimed at address the mental health of teachers. Faced with a shortage of educators and widespread discontentment with the job, districts are hiring more therapist, holding trainings on self-care and setting up system to better respond to a teacher encountering anxiety and stress.
Instructor Emily Daniels, left, raises her arms while leading a workshop helping teachers find a balance in their work lives while coping with stress and burnout in the classroom, Aug. 2, 2022, in Concord, N.H.
Charles Krupa/AP
School & District Management What the Research Says What School Leaders Can Do to Ease Teacher Stress
New studies illuminate some factors that can help school leaders prevent or manage teachers' stress levels.
Sarah D. Sparks, April 17, 2023
4 min read
Photo of principal in staff meeting.
E+ / Getty
School & District Management Advocacy Is a Key Duty for Principals, Too
Principals don't always consider themselves advocates, but a Maryland principal says advocacy goes hand in hand with school leadership.
Denisa R. Superville, April 13, 2023
4 min read
Assessment review data 599911460
vladwei/iStock/Getty<br/>
School & District Management Better Principal Data Is Critical to Close Equity Gaps, Groups Tell Feds
Advocates argue that the data will help state policy makers, preparation programs, and advocates make better decisions.
Denisa R. Superville, March 30, 2023
5 min read
Illustration of a leader pointing to a compass.
Vanessa Solis/Education Week via Canva
School & District Management Opinion 5 Strategies to Empower Teachers to Be Leaders
Here’s how—and why—school leaders should improve their schools’ teacher-leadership approaches.
Matthew Finster & Amy Lamitie, March 28, 2023
3 min read
The U.S. Capitol Dome
Principals from across the country are visiting Congress this week to advocate for more supports for mental health and staff recruitment and retention.
Patrick Semansky/AP
School & District Management Principals Head to Congress to Make a Case for More Support
Hundreds of principals are in Washington to lobby lawmakers. Their main agenda: mental health and recruitment and retention.
Denisa R. Superville, March 27, 2023
5 min read
Michelangelo's marble statue of "David", is seen in Florence's Galleria dell' Accademia on May 24, 2004.
Michelangelo's marble statue of "David" is displayed in the Galleria dell' Accademia in Florence, Italy.
Fabrizio Giovannozzi/AP
School & District Management After a Lesson on Michelangelo's David, a Florida Principal Loses Her Job
Parents complained that images of the famous sculpture were "pornographic" and that they weren't notified of the lesson in advance.
5 min read