If you have worked in education before becoming a school administrator, you likely already have many of the key skills for the job. Think about the qualities you admire in the principals, deans or provosts you have worked for, and ask yourself how you can develop your own skills with the benefit of their examples or mentorship.
Some of the qualities and experiences you may want to grow include:
1. Working in an Educational Setting
Knowing how to work with and lead teachers, faculty, staff and students is the primary attribute you will need as a school administrator. Experience in an educational setting will make you an informed leader.
2. Communicating With All Stakeholders
School admin jobs require you to work with many stakeholders. You will lead faculty and staff, and you may work directly with students. At the elementary, middle and high school levels, you will also need to communicate with parents. You will need to work with other principals, deans and provosts. You may have a board of directors or a school board overseeing your work. The communication required of you is not always easy because administrators must make many difficult and sometimes controversial decisions. You must be able to communicate your needs clearly and negotiate for the best outcomes.
3. Staying Current on Educational Research and Policy
It’s your job as a school administrator to help decide what direction to go with academics, budget choices and campus practices. You must stay informed about changes in educational law, policy, requirements and trends.
4. Focusing on Student Success
Your role as a leader is to ensure student success. You will be making decisions with direct impacts on students’ futures.
5. Building Leadership Skills
School admin jobs place you in a leadership role. You must be organized, confident and capable of building relationships and problem-solving. You will be a role model for the teachers, faculty and staff you serve.
6. Thinking Strategically
School administrators make data-informed decisions. They must look at the facts, including student and teacher performance and budget, and determine the best next steps for the school community.
7. Focusing on Growth
Teaching is a profession. That means the people you lead in a school admin job need access to quality professional development opportunities. As a school leader, you can choose to bring training to your teachers, or you can approve their going to conferences and other learning events to continue honing their skills.
8. Encouraging Community Involvement
Successful school administrators often have strong ties to the community. They work with parents, business leaders, government officials and others to ensure that the school’s reputation aligns with community values.
9. Promoting School Spirit
Respect for the school community starts at the top. School administrators must model the behavior they want students, teachers and staff to demonstrate. As a school leader, you should speak positively about the school and be proud of the work you accomplish together. You are the school’s number one fan.
10. Leading Diversity Initiatives
Students should feel welcome and valued at school. This means that the school culture should uplift all students’ experiences as important, rather than downplay what some bring from their home lives. School materials should be diverse and accessible. Representation matters for students and their families. Your job as a school administrator is to build an environment where all students feel safe and supported so that they can have the best learning experience possible.
