A salient point in the article, "How do you Grow Good Principals," by Ann Doss Helms, was that in order to be considered a "good principal" one must "bend the rules." I completely agree with this statement, but I have found myself asking, "How would I bend the rules without getting fired and losing the respect of my teachers while still being effective?" Undoubtedly, most of us (hopefully) aspire to eventually become principals at some point in our career. That said, how would you bend the rules or would you even need too to be a good principal?

I agree Elliot,
I want to bend the rules but as a teacher doing such is very risky. I have witnessed too many teachers getting punished for mundane things, it's not fair. I feel that it all depends on your school and how they feel about such things. I honestly which I could give you an answer, I would like to know myself.

Yeah I know, it is very complicated. Would you agree that you must first earn the respect of the teachers -- possibly by shielding the from the political b.s.? Or should work with the students first? I have only observed one principal who has managed to do both at the same time, but even he admitted that was "rare."Just curious what you think.

That is really hard to say- working with our colleagues or our students first. I know that it is important to work with your fellow teachers and administration to create a comfortable working environment and it will also open doors to allow your teaching to come through. However, our main purpose is the students not to form a clique with other teachers. I think that their needs to be a balance and to focus on both as that one principal. I'm not saying you can achieve both at the same time. Bend some rules but remain respectful to your school and all the people in it. It's so hard to say.

You both make excellent points and I've often wondered how it would work as a teacher. I agree with you having to be in the system long enough to earn respect from fellow colleges. Then that will start opening doors for you. And at the same time, if you "bend the rules" but still keep your student's grades/test scores up...then I don't see what the problem would be at all. That's just my view on it anyway!

I had to interview the Secondary Curriculum Specialist at Watauga High for my internship this week. She wore a pin on her lapel, which read "Children First." Before she was a specialist, she was an English teacher. I had a lot of respect for her because while I was interviewing her, I had to leave so that she could speak with a student. I believe that our students should be our first priority before our colleges. Even though, I also believe that we need to develop a strong faculty community as well.

My only concern about being a new teacher is that I am very non-traditional. I don't think that teachers should have kids read the book, take the test, read the book, take the test, etc. As long as the children are learning, and you have proof that they are on paper, I don't see why the school system would have a problem with it. And if they do, I find that sad that some people are close-minded and are not open to fresh teaching techniques.

I think growing good principles comes along with experience. Im not positive but I speak on how I think it would go. The first year is when you make the most mistakes and its allowed. You may lose respect of some of your students but then learn from it and not make the same mistake the next year.

I think a well respected principal is not hiding in the office but out in the classrooms and hallways. The principal should constantly be interacting with the teachers and students. I feel that by doing both at the same times, allows the rules to bend while still holding on to the respect of all.

I definitely think a good principal is involved with the students, seeking to reach out and understand them. This is something that happens more naturally with teachers and often is a point of miscommunication between teachers and principals, teachers interact with the kids and know what they need and principals feel more disconnected.
So a good thing for principals, talk to the kids!

To be a good principle there must be a strong background and development of leadership skills essential to take a school in the best direction. It would certainly help if this person was considered an expert in education, however I am not certain that it necessarily would be required because the principle is not the one educating the student. Rather a good principle would know how to macro manage the school and let everyone do their jobs that they were hired to do. To ensure that these jobs were being done, such as bathrooms are being cleaned, the food services are performing up to par, and of course that the students are learning, there will need to be reports handed into the principle for them to look over to make sure that all of the faculty and staff are performing well. If there is a problem with a teacher for instance, then this would be an example where it would help to have the background in education to know how to help the teacher. Keep in mind though that running a school is not that similar to teaching, instead it is going to be more like running a business where something comes in and we make it better before sending it back out again. Also remember that the principle's job is going to be similar to that of a CEO of a company. This would mean that the principle will either be praised for the success of their school, or blamed for the poor performance. Principles will need very strong people skills as well because often times they are the face of the school to the community, not to mention that they will have to interact with many parents, who's mood's can range from happy to foul.