Principal Job Description

Why I Became a Principal

I serve as an elementary school principal. I picked this job because I wanted to make a difference in the systems that affect the lives of children.

Principal Requirements

This job requires prior teaching experience in the classroom, a valid teaching credential, and a valid administrative credential. It varies by state—the requirements and some states require you to have a master's degree.

My Career Path

I started my path in a non-teaching pathway. I then found teaching to be something I was very interested in. I taught in public schools, high-need schools, and then took on different educational leadership roles. I moved on to being a reading interventionist teacher, and then I pursued a special credential for literacy. I soon found myself as an English language curriculum developer, and I also worked with teachers as a coach to support them and to offer sitewide professional development.

From there, I worked on my administrative credential, and then I became a middle school assistant principal. After two years, I became an elementary school principal.

What it’s Like

The average day is predictable, but there are many issues to resolve—making sure that there are substitute teachers and that students are at school on time. There are many meetings in a day with staff, families, and community members.

Principals are responsible for staff development, and it looks like observations with feedback and staff meetings. Principals also need to work with human resources to support staff in times of personal challenges. Principals also meet with the PTA and families to discuss ways to spend site money. They also work with district leaders in collaboration and professional development.

Principals need to make sure that the grounds and buildings are in great maintenance and working order.

Salary for a Principal

Salary can range in this position. It depends on where you are—it can be from a hundred thousand a year to two hundred fifty thousand a year.

Principal Pro and Cons

The best part of the job is watching students feel welcome at school. It's amazing to see students grow and reach their goals. A con of the job is the unpredictability and the inability to make all staff, students, and family members happy with you. This job also requires much longer hours than just the average school day. You will find yourself working on weekends and definitely after hours.

How to Get Started

If you're interested in becoming a school principal, start off in teaching. Try teaching different grades, different school systems, and also different subject areas. Then, try moving on to an outside classroom position like a coach or a curriculum developer. As you try on and take on different educational leadership roles, you may find yourself interested in becoming a site administrator or principal.