Re: Young principal

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Young principal

by TPP

Dec 13, 2011

I am a veteran teacher at my school. Being one of the oldest I would also be considered a teacher leader.

We have a young, inexperienced principal. Her goals are on target, and she has good, out of the box ideas. The problem is she lacks people skills. Many issues are left unaddressed to avoid conflict. Any concern is taken as criticism or a complaint. Bottom line, she is insecure in her abilities.

The effect is that teachers are not supporting each other. Some are trying to control and correct what they see as needing control and correction. In other words, those who are not in charge, are taking charge, and other teachers resent that or join their ring of negativity and principal/teacher bashing.

My question: how do I as a teacher leader turn this around? How do I support our principal, while at t he same time, help her to be a better principal. She is reaching out for help, but I don't know how to offer that without offending her.

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mr. teach Dear TPP,

I too was in a similar position last year though my principal was not young but inexperienced. I found that the ring of negativity grew partly because she replaced a veteran principal with plenty of charm and charisma. But more importantly the staff did not like the changes that she was implementing into the school, for the good...See More

Dec 13, 2011

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Vet Teacher too On 12/13/11, TPP wrote: > I am a veteran teacher at my school. Being one of the > oldest I would also be considered a teacher leader. > > We have a young, inexperienced principal. Her goals are on > target, and she has good, out of the box ideas. The problem > is she lacks people skills. Many issues are left > unaddressed to av...See More

Dec 13, 2011

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been there done that Hi,

I am a teacher of 40 some years. (Guess that makes me a veteran teahcer.)

I have a fantastic DIL that is now an administrator...not yet thirty.

Her desire is to serve her teachers to make them feel that the are valued and that they are the best they can be.

I think, if she were in the position of your young ...See More

Feb 25, 2012

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TPP Thank for your valuable insight. I think my principal and I are doing just what you suggests, having meaningful conversations. She does listen, and then makes the best decision for our school.

I did tell her that all teachers wanted was to be appreciated and to know that she knew how hard they are all working. We do have teachers that wor...See MoreThank for your valuable insight. I think my principal and I are doing just what you suggests, having meaningful conversations. She does listen, and then makes the best decision for our school.

I did tell her that all teachers wanted was to be appreciated and to know that she knew how hard they are all working. We do have teachers that work really hard to meet the needs of their students. She has tried to do things that will make our jobs a little easier, and has been attentive and a good listener to all, even those who would not normally seek her out.

Little by little she is silencing the naysayers and bringing others around.

On 2/25/12, been there done that wrote: > Hi, > > I am a teacher of 40 some years. (Guess that makes me a > veteran teahcer.) > > I have a fantastic DIL that is now an administrator...not yet > thirty. > > Her desire is to serve her teachers to make them feel that the > are valued and that they are the best they can be. > > I think, if she were in the position of your young > principal...she would hope you would reach out and have > meaningful conversations...not demanding or directing, but > caring and informative. > > I know my DIL would listen, evaluate, and then do what she > felt was "right"...but she would have been smart enough to > have consider another professional's input. > > Try to give support to the young principal...I know sometimes > it just seems "impossible!!!"...but it also sounds like you > can handle it!!!! I wish you luck.... > > > > > On 12/13/11, TPP wrote: >> I am a veteran teacher at my school. Being one of the >> oldest I would also be considered a teacher leader. >> >> We have a young, inexperienced principal. Her goals are on >> target, and she has good, out of the box ideas. The problem >> is she lacks people skills. Many issues are left >> unaddressed to avoid conflict. Any concern is taken as >> criticism or a complaint. Bottom line, she is insecure in >> her abilities. >> >> The effect is that teachers are not supporting each other. >> Some are trying to control and correct what they see as >> needing control and correction. In other words, those who >> are not in charge, are taking charge, and other teachers >> resent that or join their ring of negativity and >> principal/teacher bashing. >> >> My question: how do I as a teacher leader turn this around? >> How do I support our principal, while at t he same time, >> help her to be a better principal. She is reaching out for >> help, but I don't know how to offer that without offending >> her.

Feb 26, 2012

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