I was talking with a principal friend the other day, and he said that the difference between us is that I am a “teacher-centered principal” and he is a “student-centered principal”.
I love my friend, but nope. Not even a little bit.
I love students. I love kids. I am not in a building full-time right now, but recognize the joy that children bring me every day. Whether it is playing peek-a-boo with a complaining toddler in the airport or making a surly-looking high schooler smile at one of my school sites, there is no quicker way to spread a huge smile on my face than to be in the presence of children. Even the ones a foot taller than me.
But here is the thing. During my nineteen years in the principalship, I realized something that I am not sure all principals understand. As a school leader, my primary work has to be through the adults in the building. There is a school full of professionals who were hired to teach and take care of students, and as their leader, it is my job to empower and support them to do incredible work. That is the very best way to show my love for students–by providing them with the best of the best teachers and support staff.
Interacting with students throughout the school day brought me joy and it was great for school culture and modeling for staff. But as a principal, if my focus is on leading students and not on leading adults, who is going to lead the adults? Who is going to make sure that what we say we are going to do is getting done? Every day in every classroom? Who is going to make sure that teachers and support staff feel valued and seen? No one, that’s who.
We became principals because we love students and we are pretty skilled at leading them. It takes a whole other skillset to lead adults and that is mostly taught through on-the-job training. George Couros and I just finished the first draft of our new book called What Makes a Great Principal, and this resource couldn’t come at a better time. It is centered around five pillars of great principals and full of stories from teachers, students, and principals. One of the things we write about is how intricately tied the five pillars are to each other. Not surprisingly, strong, positive relationships set the foundation for effective school leadership. You cannot be an instructional leader without positive relationships. You cannot be an action-oriented visionary leader without positive relationships. And the positive relationships must begin with your team.
So, am I a teacher-centered principal? Am I a student-centered principal? Am I an instructional leader? Am I a relationship-focused leader? Am I a visionary leader? Am I focused on collective efficacy? Yes to all of this and more. But I prefer to call myself one word: principal. And everyday I focused on becoming a great principal by understanding that my primary work is through the school staff.
I would love to know your thoughts on this topic. Please comment below or email me at allysonapsey@gmail.com. If you agree with me, let me know. If you disagree, let me know. We are better together, even when we have different perspectives.
