3 Ways to Celebrate the Principalship in October
Communicator
September 2014, Volume 38, Issue 1
This October, NAESP salutes top-notch principals across the nation for National Principals Month.
The celebration of National Principals Month continues a five-year tradition launched by NAESP and NASSP in 2009. A resolution from the U.S. Senate has officially recognized the celebration, which honors principals’ hard work and dedication to America’s schools. NAESP’s festivities will culminate with the National Distinguished Principals program, which recognizes outstanding school leaders from around the country.
October is also the third annual Connected Educator Month, an initiative to stimulate and support tech innovation for educators.
Here are three ways to participate in these events.
Host a “Shadowing Day.”
A centerpiece of NAESP’s National Principals Month is the annual principal shadowing program, a joint initiative with NASSP and the Department of Education. Senior officials from the Department of Education have the opportunity to walk a mile in principals’ shoes for a day. The program wraps up with a briefing session with Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. Read one principal’s first-hand account of the shadowing program here.
Host your own shadowing program this fall to give a local or state lawmaker a “day in the life” of a school leader and highlight the ways they can support schools. Here’s how to plan your own program.
Exchange ideas via tweetchats.
NAESP has partnered with two state associations for two tweetchats during National Principals Month and Connected Educators Month. Join the chats on Wednesday, October 8 and Tuesday, October 28. Stay tuned for the topics and questions, and make sure to follow NAESP on Twitter for updates.
Connected Educator Month also offers several chats throughout the month, exploring topics from student voice to writing to Minecraft. Visit the Connected Educator Month schedule for dates, times, and hashtags.
Congratulate your state’s NDP.
A highlight of National Principals Month is NAESP’s National Distinguished Principals (NDP) award program. On October 16-17, the 2014 class of NDPs will be honored in Washington, D.C., for their outstanding contributions to their school communities. Established in 1984, the program honors principals from both public and private schools and schools from the United States Departments of Defense Office of Educational Activity and the United States Department of State Office of Overseas Schools for their exemplary achievements.
Meet the 2014 class of NDPs, and congratulate the honoree from your state.
Keep up with the latest National Principals Month updates here, on the NAESP Facebook page, and by using the hasthtag #prinmonth on Twitter.
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