This week's readings had full of information on how principals become an important role in any school. I find principals interesting but yet a role who can hide two sides. School principals have a huge responsibility to create a positive learning environment and create a welcoming culture. First, I believe that no matter what organization you work for, it is really hard to change the culture of that place. A new principal won't change the culture of the school that has been run for many years by another principal. It takes years to develop relationships with your staff, teachers, students, and administrators. Just like the quote above says it keeps several years for you to adapt to a school.
Although school principals have a huge responsibility, I want to talk about the other side of the coin. Principals have a lot of power in terms of school. They have so much power that it leads to abuse of power. According to the Washington Post, in 2019 CPS has open more than 458 cases of sexual assault in 2019. Principals and higher administration have a lot of power that control teachers and students. There are many cases of principals abusing their power to keep information from leaking out of the school and the district. I believe that a principal's personality can tell a lot about how a school is run and the culture the school has. If as a teacher you don't like or feel comfortable with a principal it is a clear indication that the school is not the right fit. The article mentions that principals are like managers, they will see what's best for the school (how it is supposed to) but in reality, it is what is best for their budgets. I respect every position in any industry including schools but if there is a good side to something there is always a bad side but can't be ignored and get informed on because money, power, and temptation is always out there.
Link to the article about cases on sexual assaults in schools (including principals): https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2020/01/07/report-chicago-schools-watchdog-reviewed-sexual-assault-allegations-fiscal-year-host-other-alleged-misdeeds/
Luis,
ReplyDeleteI like that you spoke of both the positive and negative side of power. It is important to keep those ideas in mind. Items such as those discussed in your article aside, pressures of reaching certain performance goals can weigh on many of us to the point where the statistics and not the students become the focus. I think that that also speaks to why longevity bring more success to the role. It allows the principal and his staff to build relationships and trust. That way new and potentially radical departures from the normal way of doing things have the good faith needed to buy in and make them successful.
Luis I like how you took the reading and went a step further. Subbing for as many years I have seen both sides of the principals you discussed. Sad part is one of the bad principal and it was at the same school of the girl said I need not to be a friend of the students and be a teacher. We discussed about its hard for students to take subs serious when the administrations doesnt resepct subs. It does have to be hard to change a school vision following a principal that has been there for years. The principal has to compete with the vision of the community. So that is why I feel so many Principals do stay in one job too often. They come to the conclusion that it may be impossible to make any changes to be successful.
ReplyDeleteLuis,
ReplyDeleteIt is so important to walk into a building and just "feel" that positive climate! And yes, sometimes, that just doesn't happen. When a principal builds positive, lasting relationships with his/her staff (as teachers do with their students) it says a lot about them.
Thanks for your posts and comments!
Diane