Principals lacking early childhood knowledge

[Anonymous]

http://www.edcentral.org/elem-principals-prek/

Any truth in this? Seems important that our elementary principals would know about what's going on in our Pre-K classrooms.

[Anonymous]

Didn't read the whole article yet, but I'm a preK teacher whose worked under 6 different principals in DC. I'd say one of them had a decent level of knowledge on what made for good early childhood education. One more at least knew her limitations and listened to ECE teachers. The rest pretty much bought good preK teachers were teachers who got their kids reading and writing the fastest

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:http://www.edcentral.org/elem-principals-prek/

Any truth in this? Seems important that our elementary principals would know about what's going on in our Pre-K classrooms.

YES! Just read their bios. Many majored in fields like Business or Poli Sci before changing over to get a Leadership Degree in Education. Then only worked a couple of years with upper grade students or Middle schoolers. I wish the days of a principal being in the classroom a minimum of ten years still applied today.

[Anonymous]

How can a principal be an expert at every different academic field that his/her teachers are responsible for? For instance, look at Banneker or CHEC. Can Berger or Tukeva have detailed knowledge about every subject that takes place at their schools? From physics to sex ed to French to calculus? Not likely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How can a principal be an expert at every different academic field that his/her teachers are responsible for? For instance, look at Banneker or CHEC. Can Berger or Tukeva have detailed knowledge about every subject that takes place at their schools? From physics to sex ed to French to calculus? Not likely.

I don't think that is an expectation.

[Anonymous]

My wife has worked for 5 DCPS principals at 4 schools. Only one knew early childhood well. Two others actively sought to "correct" what the ECE teachers were doing with terrible practices for young kids (demanding more seat work, less outdoor time, less unstructured time in general). The last two listened to their experienced ECE teachers or had an AP who was experienced in ECE.

To the PP who said no one should expect principals to know all the grade levels -- Clearly. But within an admin TEAM, at least one should have ECE knowledge.

At the very least, principals should stay in their lane and not tell teachers to keep 3 year olds in the seats longer. Gah.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My wife has worked for 5 DCPS principals at 4 schools. Only one knew early childhood well. Two others actively sought to "correct" what the ECE teachers were doing with terrible practices for young kids (demanding more seat work, less outdoor time, less unstructured time in general). The last two listened to their experienced ECE teachers or had an AP who was experienced in ECE.

To the PP who said no one should expect principals to know all the grade levels -- Clearly. But within an admin TEAM, at least one should have ECE knowledge.

At the very least, principals should stay in their lane and not tell teachers to keep 3 year olds in the seats longer. Gah.

My experience as a teacher exactly!

[Anonymous]

You don't need to be at the expert level only the ability to manage, supervise and hold those responsible who are knowledgeable. Case in point many of our wonderful hospitals are operated by those who don't necessarily hold medical degrees.

[Anonymous]

In my experience, the leadership at our school has been good with ECE and implemented good general school rules (such floor time space in every classroom), but many of the teachers are much less knowledgeable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You don't need to be at the expert level only the ability to manage, supervise and hold those responsible who are knowledgeable. Case in point many of our wonderful hospitals are operated by those who don't necessarily hold medical degrees.

You need basic working knowledge. Not happening at many schools.

[Anonymous]

Preschool parents are the worst. You guys come in and make a bunch of demands/judgements. Then you leave in 2 years.