Ideal principal

[Anonymous]

FCPS recently posted a “shout out” request, giving people a chance to name principals they appreciate. It left me wondering if people in an anonymous forum like this would have similar viewpoints.
What do parents and teachers expect from the principals at their schools? What are some characteristics that make someone a good principal? Who are some good examples in FCPS?

[Anonymous]

Our HS asked these questions in a survey when they were in the midst of selecting a new principal. My favorite principal growing up was one who was fully engaged with the student body and conveyed a lot of school spirit — she taught the should school a spirit song and got us energized before every game. Everybody felt like they could talk to her if they wanted to — she was never off-limits to the students. She was also well-connected to the community and brought in prominent figures to speak. The trick in this area will be dealing with the parents!

[Anonymous]

Many are just in the background and aren’t great with communication. They push disciplinary problems off to the AP. They don’t attend the orchestra, choir, and band concerts. The kids don’t get any fun interactions with them. They don’t seem genuine.

[Anonymous]

I’m a teacher. I’d love to be ori for Jared Lamb.

[Anonymous]

It’s embarrassing how schools push their community to nominate their principal or teachers for an outstanding award…we get multiple emails about it. Most of the teachers are mediocre, don’t teach and assign way too much, and I’ve never met the principal (we are at a large high school).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s embarrassing how schools push their community to nominate their principal or teachers for an outstanding award…we get multiple emails about it. Most of the teachers are mediocre, don’t teach and assign way too much, and I’ve never met the principal (we are at a large high school).

You’re butthurt over emails about the FCPS outstanding awards? Why wouldn’t a school share the nomination process with its school community? If you don’t have anyone to nominate, then move on. No problem. But someone might find a teacher or principal or custodian or counselor to be outstanding and want them recognized. They can do that. And you don’t have to. Both are okay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m a teacher. I’d love to be ori for Jared Lamb.

What does this mean and who is Jared Lamb?

ES Teacher

[Anonymous]

Too bad they don’t ask for feedback for the opposite. Some principals are anything but outstanding.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m a teacher. I’d love to be ori for Jared Lamb.

What does this mean and who is Jared Lamb?

ES Teacher

He’s a principal on social media at a charter school in Louisiana. He posts these videos of himself moving around school on a rolling cart, pretending he’s removing kids from class and supporting teachers. He obviously cannot film these things when school is really happening.

I’m a bit jaded and find all of this performative. No principal can be perfect for everyone, including teachers.

[Anonymous]

Communication. Our ES principal is a terrible communicator and very much an introvert. We never hear from him and although he comes to school events, he does not socialize during those events. It's hard to get a hold of him, the one time we requested to meet with him, he punted to the assistant principal. From talking to several families, he has not once shown up to anyone's 504 or IEP meeting, even if requested. He also doesn't care to spend much time with the kids - they don't know him well at all. I'm not sure how a principal can be effective at his job if he doesn't get to know the families at his school.

[Anonymous]

[url]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s embarrassing how schools push their community to nominate their principal or teachers for an outstanding award…we get multiple emails about it. Most of the teachers are mediocre, don’t teach and assign way too much, and I’ve never met the principal (we are at a large high school).

You’re butthurt over emails about the FCPS outstanding awards? Why wouldn’t a school share the nomination process with its school community? If you don’t have anyone to nominate, then move on. No problem. But someone might find a teacher or principal or custodian or counselor to be outstanding and want them recognized. They can do that. And you don’t have to. Both are okay.

I’m not “butt hurt”; I said I was embarrassed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Communication. Our ES principal is a terrible communicator and very much an introvert. We never hear from him and although he comes to school events, he does not socialize during those events. It's hard to get a hold of him, the one time we requested to meet with him, he punted to the assistant principal. From talking to several families, he has not once shown up to anyone's 504 or IEP meeting, even if requested. He also doesn't care to spend much time with the kids - they don't know him well at all. I'm not sure how a principal can be effective at his job if he doesn't get to know the families at his school.

Oh please give us a hint. How can he still be there? What pyramid?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:[url]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s embarrassing how schools push their community to nominate their principal or teachers for an outstanding award…we get multiple emails about it. Most of the teachers are mediocre, don’t teach and assign way too much, and I’ve never met the principal (we are at a large high school).

You’re butthurt over emails about the FCPS outstanding awards? Why wouldn’t a school share the nomination process with its school community? If you don’t have anyone to nominate, then move on. No problem. But someone might find a teacher or principal or custodian or counselor to be outstanding and want them recognized. They can do that. And you don’t have to. Both are okay.

I’m not “butt hurt”; I said I was embarrassed.

Thanks for the clarification, hon. 😂😂😂

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Communication. Our ES principal is a terrible communicator and very much an introvert. We never hear from him and although he comes to school events, he does not socialize during those events. It's hard to get a hold of him, the one time we requested to meet with him, he punted to the assistant principal. From talking to several families, he has not once shown up to anyone's 504 or IEP meeting, even if requested. He also doesn't care to spend much time with the kids - they don't know him well at all. I'm not sure how a principal can be effective at his job if he doesn't get to know the families at his school.

Oh please give us a hint. How can he still be there? What pyramid?

It is extremely common for the AP to be the representative at IEP meetings, happens at many if not all of the schools. AND it is also the APs job to field some of the parent meetings. Everything you complained about is common (except for not socializing at events). Not reasons for firing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Communication. Our ES principal is a terrible communicator and very much an introvert. We never hear from him and although he comes to school events, he does not socialize during those events. It's hard to get a hold of him, the one time we requested to meet with him, he punted to the assistant principal. From talking to several families, he has not once shown up to anyone's 504 or IEP meeting, even if requested. He also doesn't care to spend much time with the kids - they don't know him well at all. I'm not sure how a principal can be effective at his job if he doesn't get to know the families at his school.

Oh please give us a hint. How can he still be there? What pyramid?

It is extremely common for the AP to be the representative at IEP meetings, happens at many if not all of the schools. AND it is also the APs job to field some of the parent meetings. Everything you complained about is common (except for not socializing at events). Not reasons for firing.

Principal here: yes it’s not unusual for the AP to sit in as the administrator at 504 and IEP meetings.

However if a parent specifically requests to meet with me, I honor that. I would never pass that off to the AP without communicating why like I was about to be out of the building on some type of leave and the issue was timely. Or if the AP has more knowledge about a specific situation, I would let the parent know and offer the option. I know many of my colleagues do the same.

Maybe this principal is new to the position and needs some feedback and support. I hope he gets it.