Writing Guidelines
If you have an idea for an article, NAESP wants to hear from you! NAESP accepts article submissions for its blog, Principal magazine, and Communicator e-newsletter. Before you begin writing, read a sample article from these publications to get an idea of what the editors are looking for—practical, jargon-free articles that address a variety of educational issues for a principal or assistant principal audience.
Popular areas of focus include school equity, early career principals, assistant principals, mentoring, women in leadership, early childhood learning, social-emotional learning, mental health and school safety, and innovation.
Submit articles as a Word document to publications@naesp.org. Include your full title, affiliation, and contact information, with your mailing and email address. Please consult the guidelines below prior to submission.
2025-2026 Editorial Calendar
September/October 2025
Fostering Student Belonging. Creating a sense of belonging in schools is more than just fostering friendships—it’s about ensuring every student feels seen, valued, and included in the learning community. In this issue, we explore strategies for building inclusive environments that affirm students’ identities and provide opportunities for meaningful engagement.
Submissions closed.
November/December 2025
Effective Communication. Effective communication is the backbone of strong leadership and a thriving school culture. This issue examines how principals can enhance their communication skills to foster collaboration, increase transparency, and build trust with students, staff, and families. We explore key strategies, including active listening, clear messaging, and technology integration, to ensure that all stakeholders feel informed and engaged.
Submission Deadline: May 30, 2025
January/February 2026
Students Today. Students today navigate an ever-evolving world shaped by technology, social influences, and global challenges. This issue examines the key factors impacting students’ experiences, from mental health concerns to digital literacy, and how school leaders can adapt to meet their needs.
Submission Deadline: Aug. 5, 2025
March/April 2026
Smart Hiring, Strong Retention. The education workforce is evolving, and keeping talented educators requires more than just competitive salaries—it demands strategic recruitment, robust professional development, and innovative retention techniques. This article dives into cutting-edge talent mapping, AI-driven hiring practices, and data-informed approaches to building strong, sustainable teams.
Submission Deadline: Sept. 26, 2025
May/June 2026
Defining Success. What does success look like in today’s schools? This issue challenges traditional notions of achievement, moving beyond standardized test scores to embrace a more holistic definition of student success. Academic proficiency is important, but so is fostering creativity, resilience, and social-emotional growth. We explore emerging frameworks, such as competency-based education and personalized learning models, that provide students with meaningful opportunities to define their own success.
Submission Deadline: Dec. 1, 2025
Principal magazine also seeks articles on the following topics
- Early career principals
- Middle school leaders
- Assistant principals
- Student leadership
- The Science of Reading
- Technology and leveraging AI
- Aligning pre-k-3 learning experiences
- Professional ethics
- Social-emotional learning
- Educator mental health
- School safety
- Rural school leadership
- Equity Leadership