The first thing a person must do as they consider becoming an assistant principal is to evaluate why they want to. The assistant principal job entails many long hours and a myriad of tasks assigned by the head principal. So, you must decide how this potential new endeavor aligns with the reasons you went into education in the first place. After evaluation, suppose you conclude that you can more effectively impact students through administration. In that case, you have answered the most important question of whether to become an administrator.
What Does an Assistant Principal Do?
The many jobs of an assistant principal vary according to the jobs/tasks assigned by the head principal. The bottom line operates according to the direction of the head principal. Assistant principals often take the lead in the area of discipline.
Other duties could be assigned as teacher duty rosters, staff evaluations, textbook administration, sometimes including ordering new and fill-in books, athletic event administration, and overseeing dismissal along with teachers, to name a few. Additionally, the assistant principal often takes over the role of head principal if he is out of the building.
Assistant principals often stay late to administrate after-school programs and sometimes are the administrators in charge of summer school. Assistant principals usually sit in on or administrate parent/teacher conferences and can attend district board meetings without the head principal.
Assistant principals also often administrate student lunch and monitor hallways during class changes. Basically, the assistant principal, as stated above, takes on the duties assigned by the head principal and, overall, takes care of what needs to be done in the moment.
Assistant Principal Requirements: Skills
Like the many tasks of an assistant principal, this person should possess multiple skill sets in order to be successful. An assistant principal must be organized, flexible, even-tempered and, like the teacher in the classroom, show a genuine desire to help all students achieve. You should evaluate yourself and decide if you possess these qualities before considering a career in administration.
This statement does not mean to infer that you must be well-skilled in these areas but willing to strive to possess these qualities. Students, parents, teachers, and even your head principal can test each of these areas in the heat of the battle. But, if you take on this position, you must strive to improve on each of these qualities and be willing to dig in deeper when you realize you are deficient in any of these.
As a beginning administrator, I also made it a point always to remember what it was like to be a student and a classroom teacher. The old saying, “Don’t forget where you came from, “applies here. Just because you are an administrator does not mean you are no longer human. We should never, ever forget this.
Just like when we were students and teachers, we sometimes depended on the administrator to help us occasionally. A major skill not listed earlier but so important is being a GREAT listener. And never forget to not only listen to what is said, but as is so often the case, what is not said. Listening to students and teachers is a must in order to be successful as an administrator.
Assistant Principal Requirements: Education
The overall requirements to be an administrator vary from state to state. However, most require at least a Master’s in School Administration. Some states require Master’s in Educational Leadership, some Curriculum and Development. If you are considering a career in administration, look at your state requirements and count the cost of what it will take you to attain that degree. Many states also require a licensure examination in addition to your master’s degree.
Why Should You Consider an Assistant Principal Position?
This question takes us back to the opening paragraph. Why would anyone in their right mind consider all the responsibility and headache of school administration? The answer is through thoughtful consideration you have determined that you can be more effective in administration than the classroom or coaching to help students achieve all they can be. If that is your burning desire to help students achieve, then a career in school administration might be just right for you.
How to Become an Assistant Principal
Once you have decided to pursue a degree in school administration, the next step is to look into what your course of study needs to be. Talking with the current administration in your building can go a long way in helping you to determine what direction you want to go. Next would be to look for and evaluate master’s in administration programs that would be feasible for you to enroll in.
Included in that could be how much is online, whether the college campus is near me, and how long will it take me to complete the degree and certification process. After completion of the certification process, it is now time to put out that resume and see who wants to hire you. In fact, that process can begin even before you finish your course of study.
A career in administration can be very frustrating, and the hours can be long. But, if you feel your calling is to be in leadership, then you can begin immediately to see ways you can help students achieve that you could never do in the classroom. One caution, don’t go into administration just for the money. Yes, the salary is usually more, the responsibility is also greater. If you are sure you want to make a difference is student achievement by being part of administration, then I say to you, “GO FOR IT!”
A graduate degree in administration prepares you to lead as a school administrator and help shape the future for generations of students. Check out our available leadership and administration graduate degrees and get started today!
