SCHOOL LEADERSHIP

Estrelita P. Bermudo

Today, school leadership ranks high on the list of education. Teacher quality stood above everything else, leadership came next.

Education research shows that there is a great deal about the nature of the school principal’s role, what makes for an effective principal and how to tie principal effectiveness to improved student achievement.

Effective principals, who are both managers and leaders, perform five key practices well: Shaping a vision of academic success for all students; creating a climate hospitable to education; cultivating leadership in others; improving instruction; and managing people, data and processes to foster school improvement.

Education experts are now emphasizing the importance of effective principals in boosting teaching and learning. Paying attention to the principal’s role has become all the more essential as the school manager and leader’s task results to the effective and efficient skills and abilities of thousands of current and future school leaders.

Additionally, studies show that there are three different leadership approaches by principals: School leaders determined to do it all themselves were called “one-man bands;” those inclined to delegate responsibilities to others operated like the leader of a “jazz combo;” and those who believed broadly in sharing leadership throughout the school could be thought of as “orchestral leaders,” skilled in helping large teams produce a coherent sound, while encouraging soloists to shine.

The point is that although in any school a range of leadership patterns exists – among principals, assistant principals, formal and informal teacher leaders, and parents – the principal remains the central source of leadership influence.

Thus, when a principal’s managerial tasks are well carried out, leadership is at work.

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The author is Principal IV at Tarlac West Central Elementary School, Tarlac

City Schools Division