We all know that the principal wears many hats. Sometimes it’s hard to figure out where we should be focusing our time. Following are some broad categories that should help to bring things into perspective.

1. Instructional Management – This part of the job is crucial. The principal needs to know what quality instruction looks like, what it sounds like and be ready to help coach teachers in a way that promotes effective teaching and promotes learning.
2. School Morale – If you have read any of the “Fish” books, you know that work is more productive and enjoyable if you can make it fun. Your modeling of creating a fun work environment will help teachers see the benefits of creating a fun learning environment.
   
3. School Improvement – It’s okay to be where you are, it’s just not okay to stay there. On the road to continuous improvement, our job is to constantly review and re-evaluate the needs of our students. Each year and even each day brings an opportunity to improve.
   
4. Personnel Management – The importance of this area cannot be overlooked. Hiring processes may take a lot of time, but the real work begins right after. Managing personnel means communicating, evaluating and developing plans to assist those who work for you to become better every day.
   
5. Fiscal Management – As budgets become smaller and smaller you would think that this would be easier; unfortunately, the new dilemma becomes trying to do more with less. Being able to plan for the use of budgeted dollars is an important part of what we do.
   
6. Student Management – Routines and procedures are the key. Clearly communicated expectations and lots of practice pay off. Every principal knows the importance of a safe and orderly learning environment and time spent up front saves time throughout the year.
   
7. School and Community Relations – As competition for students increases, the principal has had to become an expert at PR. Developing marketing materials, providing school tours, and getting press coverage have become a big part of the job.
   
8. Professional Growth and Development – To stay energized and on top of current information, it is important for the principal to have a personal growth and development plan. Being able to reflect on your own strengths and weaknesses and then to devise a plan to improve is a skill that will benefit you in all aspects of your life.
   
9. Perform other duties as assigned – Every job description has it. It should be the area that takes up the least of your time, but often takes up the bulk. It’s the one that always seems to catch me off guard.

MEMSPA is here to help. Over the past 15 years, I have found great resource in the connections I’ve made through our organization I can honestly say that MEMSPA has assisted me in every one of the areas above and I encourage each of you to take from our association the knowledge and collegiality that we all need to our jobs well.