A BETTER SCHOOL LEADER
I have been in the teaching profession for 14 years now and I have worked with 8 school leaders (3 from private school and 5 from public school).I have witnessed different styles of management employed by my school principals in dealing various situations in school operation. I have heard a lot from teachers, parents and even students the kind of school leader they want to deal with. I have observed that there are common qualities and practices of school leaders that make the school operation successful.
Here are some of the said qualities: The school leader treats the school as family: A school leader shows care and concern to everyone. Teachers, parents and students who are always in need of help are attended by the school leader just like his own family member. A school leader prioritizes the needs of his group at all times. He stands beside his people whenever problems arise and celebrates with them whenever success is achieved.
The school leader treats teachers as professionals: School principals are instructional leaders who direct the staff in the best interest of students but they do not disregard their teachers. Instead, teachers are given respect and the flexibility to provide instruction that is significant for the students. Similarly, a school principal prioritizes teachers first. As one teacher described his principal, “He’s never forgotten where he’s been.”
A school leader prioritizes students: A good school principal knows his students. He knows their names, their stories, their strengths, and their weaknesses. School principal converses with students about their school activities such as their achievements in sports fest or the results of their exams. Students love a school principal who makes a difference in a school and in their lives.
A school leader promotes teamwork: A school leader promotes a happy school. You could sense in the work place that people are happy working together. Learning is continuously nourished. A school principal unites everyone in achieving the common goal. Everything is a celebration, and everyone in the school is joyful to be there. Everyone in the school takes pride that they have the best school and wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.
A school leader develops leaders: Good principals work thoroughly to ensure that their teachers are prepared to be leaders in the classroom. Teachers are supported with good learning resources and given opportunities for professional development. Teachers are trusted to do task for a good principal believes that they can do it. Students are given the task to lead their fellow students in achieving school task.
In order to have a better working relationship in school, it must have first a better school leader. — oOo— The author is Head Teacher I at Del Carmen National High School, Lubao, Pampanga