School principals are the heartbeat of their communities. They lead with vision, advocate with passion, and serve with dedication—ensuring that every student, teacher, and family feels supported and empowered. As the voice of their schools, principals are uniquely positioned to understand and communicate the needs of their communities.

This October, during National Principals Month, we encourage school leaders to take advocacy to the next level by inviting legislators or their staff to shadow a principal for a day—either in person or virtually. It’s a powerful way to help policymakers see the real-world challenges and triumphs of school leadership.

Why Shadowing Matters

When lawmakers experience a day in the life of a principal, they gain firsthand insight into the complexities of running a school. From instructional leadership and student engagement to crisis management and community building, the principal’s role is multifaceted and deeply impactful.

Even if in-person visits are difficult, a virtual walkthrough can still make a lasting impression. These visits help bridge the gap between policy and practice, giving elected officials a clearer picture of what schools truly need.

Planning a Successful Shadowing Visit

Here’s a checklist to help you prepare:

• Define Your Objectives: Think about what you want your guests to learn. Showcase both the strengths and the challenges of your school community. Let them see your pride—and your reality.
• Build Your Guest List: Reach out to your superintendent for suggestions and contact legislators early. Their calendars fill up fast.
• Share Logistics: Make it easy for guests to attend. Provide clear details about parking, entry points, lunch, photography permissions, and a general schedule.
• Loop in Your Staff: Let your team know about the visit, but don’t ask them to change their routines. Authenticity is key.
• Let the Students Lead: Boost student leadership with student-led tours of the school.
• Choose a Well-Rounded Day: Pick a day that reflects the full scope of your responsibilities. If one day is heavy on meetings, consider adjusting your schedule to include classroom walkthroughs, PTA check-ins, or student interactions.
• Invite Local Media: A legislator’s visit is newsworthy! It’s a great opportunity to highlight the positive stories happening in your school.

During the Visit

Let your guests follow you through your day—into meetings, classrooms, and conversations. If a private situation arises, have a backup plan: a vice principal, counselor, or tech director can step in to host your visitor temporarily.

After the Visit

Wrap up with a debrief. Revisit your goals and share anything they didn’t get to see. Follow up with a thank-you email or call, and offer to be a resource on education issues moving forward.

Don’t forget to thank your staff, too. Their work is what makes your school shine, and inviting guests into your building sends a strong message of pride and appreciation.

Share the experience on your website, in newsletters, and on social media to amplify your advocacy. And reach out to David Griffith, NAESP associate executive director, Policy and Advocacy, at dgriffith@naesp.org so we can share the story of your legislator on a national level.

Ready to Get Started?

Visit the NAESP Advocacy Action Center to find your legislators’ contact information. You can also search for congressional contacts at www.house.gov and www.senate.gov.

Let’s make this October a month of connection, understanding, and action. Your voice matters—and your story can shape the future of education.