What I Learned my First Year as Principal!

• The physical and emotional safety and welfare of the children is priority #1 each day.  
• Without a safe environment ... nothing else matters.  
• Priority #2 is to hire the right teachers.
• Find teachers who love kids, have a passion for teaching and learning, and are great teammates. 
• Place students, when possible, with teachers who are a strategic fit for their learning style and social development.  (Extremely important in the elementary years)
• Develop a placement team with staff members that best know your students and teachers.
• Emphasize only 1 major instructional initiative per year that reinforces your data assessment.
• Strategically select so that it has longevity because of its usefulness, benefit to students, and alignment to your strategic plan.    
• Litmus test for any new program or initiative ... answer must be YES to all three!
• #1 Right program?  #2 Right school?  #3  Right time?
• Power must be respected, purposeful, and polite!
• Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character ... give him power.  -Abraham Lincoln
• Support your staff with prioritizing their life outside of school as spouses, parents, caregivers, volunteers, etc.
• The result will be an appreciation, focus, and peace-of-mind that benefits all.  
• Hire an AP, when possible, that balances your personality and excels in your areas of challenge.
• Delegation is critical and succeeds when your colleague complements you.
• Listen to concerned or frustrated parents (and staff).
• There is great dignity in being heard, and sometimes this is all they expect or desire.  
• Align your mission, vision, instructional framework, and strategic plan.  
• This consistency and congruency will enhance understanding and engagement from all stakeholders.  
• Don't fear transparency and vulnerability.
• It is normal and OK to be wrong, admit it, and apologize as you "grow" through it!
• Highly value your trustworthy and organized Bookkeeper.
• Financial mismanagement or carelessness can get you fired!
• Make decisions according to (#1) what is best for the students and (#2) based on your best teachers.  (#2 per Todd Whitaker)
• This perspective will often make a difficult decision easier. 
• Good teachers want you to visit their classrooms regularly.  
• They are excited to share their planning, creativity, and resulting engagement and learning.  
• Make major decisions carefully, prayerfully, and with wise counsel.  
• Often your final confirmation is one conversation or fact away.  
• Keep your superintendent informed of major issues ... 
• ... but lead the school as empowered with a humble, yet confident spirit!
• When the school succeeds, share the credit!
• When there is a mistake or failure, publicly own the blame and privately/honestly/respectfully address any others responsible.  
• One of the greatest gifts we can offer teachers is TIME!
• Be creative in offering as much time as possible to plan, collaborate, catch up, or get ahead.