Useful Skills for Leading as an Assistant Principal
Advice from assistant principals from across the nation.
Topics: Assistant Principals
What skills have you found most useful in leading as an assistant principal?
Connecting with colleagues. Probably the most important skill I find useful is the “connection” skill. You have to know who you are leading. You need to be able to understand who they are as a person, what motivates them, and what their strengths and passions are, as well as their areas of growth.
—James West, Cascade Elementary School, Kennewick, Washington
Organizational Skills. I would highlight organizational abilities, adaptability, communication, and leadership. Staying organized is crucial to keep up with the constantly shifting tasks and ensure everything gets done.
—Jessica Koch, Nemaha Central Elementary School, Seneca, Kansas
Skills that align with passions. The most useful leadership skills I’ve developed align closely with my passion for instructional excellence, community engagement, and advocacy for biliteracy.
—Hazael Román-Lagunas, Munroe Elementary School, Denver, Colorado
Servant leadership. Servant leadership is at the core of my approach—working alongside the staff in service to students. When teachers and staff see that I’m willing to roll up my sleeves and do the work alongside them, it shows them that I’m invested in what’s best for our students.
—Lainey Hanna, Helena Park Elementary School, Nederland, Texas
Trust-building. It is trust and relationships that have helped me bridge gaps in communication, build others up, coach individuals and teams, and build community. This is the foundation of everything I do and every decision I make.
—Mitchell Hegland, Eagle Heights Spanish Immersion, Eden Prairie, Minnesota
Instructional leadership. The most useful skills and, in my opinion, the most important are instructional development and the ability to be successful and knowledgeable about instruction. Every initiative, change, task, conversation, and staff member should be rooted in student learning.
—Tory Moix, Greenbriar Middle School, Greenbrier, Arkansas
Curricular expertise. My depth of knowledge for curriculum helps me guide teachers in their planning, instructional practices, and assessment of learning.
—Tiffany Eaton, Danville Elementary School, Danville, New Hampshire
Time management and accountability. Two skills that are most useful in leading as an assistant principal in today’s educational landscape are first, time management while prioritizing instructional leadership, and second, holding staff accountable so that our schoolwide goals are accomplished.
—Sonia A. Matthew, Mary B. Neal Elementary School, Waldorf, Maryland
Data awareness. The skills most critical to my leadership success include effective communication, strategic planning, relationship-building, and adaptability. Data-driven decision-making has also been critical.
—Tessie Bridges, Grassy Pond Elementary School, Gaffney, South Carolina
A variety of skills. The skills I find most useful as an assistant principal are relationship-building, effective communication, time management and organization, problem-solving and adaptability, instructional leadership, conflict resolution, and resilience and emotional intelligence.
—Lakeisha Ector, Callaway Middle School, LaGrange, Georgia
