What do Teachers Expect of their Principals?

This list of expectations was compiled as a joint staff activity by a faculty of ten by invitation of their principal, at Lititz Area Mennonite School, December 1982.

Qualities the principal should have

• Good organization—personally, and able to organize all aspects of the school program.
• Patience/tolerance—willing to listen, understand, and consider without being judgmental.
• Supportive of teachers.
• Good disciplinarian: commands respect; helps teachers discipline.
• Ready with suggestions for teachers to consider and try.
• Uses methods of efficiently communicating important information.
• Open to new ideas, materials, & schedules—allows teachers to be flexible.
• Experienced teacher.
• Accessibility.
• Able to give constructive criticism and compliments.
• Foresight.
• Promptness.
• Dedication to job.
• Confidentiality.
• Diligent worker; does proper share of workload.
• Impartiality with teachers and others.
• Not afraid to say “No.”
• Interest in classroom activities.
• Spiritual leadership.
• Well-rounded—has practical insight in a variety of areas.
• Cooperative.
• Vision for the school.
• Encourages teacher in-service.
• Consistency.
• Logical in decisions (not arbitrary).
• Prepared by formal education for his position.

Qualities the principal should NOT have

• Expects too much of teachers.
• Rigid with schedules.
• Judgmental.
• “Bossy” attitude.
• Opinionated.
• Inconsistency.
• Unwilling to go the extra mile.
• Too busy (to help teachers).