Shadowing Principal

 

8:00 –Phone call about the fatal accident last night.  Discussed what to tell people about the deceased coach and injured students

 

8:15 – check e-mail

 

8:17 – Fill out recommendation for teacher

 

8:31 – Work on letter to send to faculty about new school year

 

8:42 -  phone call about the accident last night – resume working on letter

 

8:56 – copy custodial time sheets

 

8:58 – take time sheets to board office

 

9:59 – finish working on letter to teachers

 

10:08 – call board office to find out about new employee orientation

 

10:27 – phone call from Billy (A.P.)

 

10:32- work on preplanning schedule

 

10:35 – phone call from a parent about child’s placement next year

 

10:55 – finish preplanning schedule

 

10:57 – check students’ placement due to parent requests

 

11:06 – check e-mail

 

11:09 – Phone calls (summer school materials, accident update)

 

11:20 – lunch

 

11:35 – add new stduetns to classes

 

12:08 – SIP info

 

12:20 – phone call about accident

 

12:22 – Review information about trip Thursday

 

12:45- check e-mail

1:00 – Stuff letters to teachers

 

1:25 – check e-mail

 

1:30 – Complete calendar of work days for principal

 

1:42 – Check on student placements

 

1:48 – Work on executive summary for superintendent

 

1:59 – Get radios for bookkeeper

 

2:02 – work on executive summary

 

2:23 – empty dehumidifiers in library

 

2:25 – county office picked up summer school supplies

 

2:27 – begin to do list for Tuesday

 

2:33 – Work on SIP plan; insert data

 

2:49 – Phone call

 

2:50 – SIP info – looked at AYP % for Data

 

3:09 – Weather radio went off- thunderstorm warning

 

3:13 – Data/SIP information

 

3:20 – Phone Call

 

3:24 – check e-mail

 

3:25 – Work on SIP for 07-08

 

4:00 – leave for the day

 

What do you like best about being a principal?

The best part about being a principal is seeing the results of your efforts come to fruition.  When teachers implement strategies that you believe will
make a difference, and then you watch it happen is an awesome experience.

What is the most challenging part of being a principal?

The most challenging is having time for all aspects of the job.  My focus is instruction but so much time is often devoted to other things due to necessity
of certain situations.  With so many different aspects of the job, it is often
difficult to keep a steady
focus.

Why did you want to become a principal?

I decided to become a principal to try and make a difference with a whole school as compared to a class of children.  I also wanted to build a school
environment that was inviting to children and teachers alike.