how can i become a principal?

Question

getting a bachalors in teaching but would like to be a principal one day.

Answer 1

first off, make sure you get some real teaching under your belt first or the teachers and parents will not respect you or any decisions you make. Teach for a few years and get your masters in Administration, you can be a principal with that, but it's best if you have a PhD.

Answer 2

You should stay in the classroom for at least 10 years to see how the classroom setting works and see if you like it. You can then see what discipline issues there are. It will also serve as a way to learn how to communicate with parents and students.

Then get your Masters of Education which usually is a prerequisite for administrative work. Ask school principals what you can expect and see if you are willing to go through all the stress that comes with the job.

Personally, as a 5th grade teacher, I would not want to be a principal or administrator because I see the many trials and tribulations on a daily basis. Talk to people in the profession!

Good Luck

Answer 3

It really depends on what state you live in. CA requirements are different than, say, AZ, or MA etc. First, check out the Department of Education requirements for your state.

Usually you need to have a minimum of a 4 year degree, then an additional year or so of teaching credential work. Then, you need to spend some time teaching - in CA the minimum number of years for a public school principal is 3-5, I believe. You also should have a Master of Arts degree in Educational Administration. In CA you need to get an additional credential, called a Tier One and Tier Two credentials that will allow you to be a principal.

Answer 4

Teach for a couple of years and then get your master's degree in administration. Also work on as many committees as you can like the curriculum committee, the discipline committee, in-service committee, evaluation committee, for example. Also, being active in your local teachers' association is helpful in gaining the respect of colleagues, the superintendent, and the school board. Be fair and consistent in all that you do, and work closely with parents who will always be your biggest support system. I was a high school principal in two different systems in two different states.

Good luck!!

Answer 5

You will need to get a Master's degree (or equivalent) in Educational Management. You will also need to have diverse experiences with several grade levels and possibly begin as an Instructional Specialist or an Assistant Principal (need Master's for the latter, too).

Answer 6

Worship curriculum. Never say anything bad about it, it's the holy grail that will create paradise on earth.

Only buy and drive four-cylincer, four-door cars. They are responsible.

Never tell jokes to teachers or administrators --be humorless.

TALK SLOWLY, slower than any other man teaching at the school where you work. See if you can expand your chest, breathe thoracicly, and speak in a baritone like the late actor George Sanders or Eli Wallach. A slow deep voice is 60% of becoming principal.

You're always taking some kind of course to get a master's degree. And don't complain that it is dull or you've been through that before or that it overemphasizes curriculum.

Don't date teachers from the same school.

Be as cold and condescending to your students as you can.

Make sure your shoes are shined. If they are LOAFERS or casual shoes, they have to be spotless. Every time.

Your hero and role model while at work? Hugh Beaumont, the late actor who portrayed the father figure, Ward Cleaver, in the old "Leave It To Beaver" TV show.