What Do Elementary and Secondary School Principals Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

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Job Description, Daily Responsibilities, and Work Life

Elementary and Secondary School Principals

Elementary and Secondary School Principals plan, direct, or coordinate the academic, administrative, or auxiliary activities of kindergarten, elementary, or secondary schools.

Salary
$103010
Becoming One
Very Hard
Education
Master's degree
Job Satisfaction
Job Growth

Personality
Interest Match



Job Description

Job Description

Elementary and Secondary School Principals plan, direct, or coordinate the academic, administrative, or auxiliary activities of public or private elementary or secondary level schools. They also evaluate curricula, teaching methods, and programs to determine their effectiveness, efficiency, and use, and to ensure that school activities comply with federal, state, and local regulations.

Other tasks include:

  • Observe teaching methods and examine learning materials to evaluate and standardize curricula and teaching techniques, and to determine areas where improvement is needed.
  • Counsel and provide guidance to students regarding personal, academic, vocational, or behavioral issues.
  • Collaborate with teachers to develop and maintain curriculum standards, develop mission statements, and set performance goals and objectives.
  • Direct and coordinate activities of teachers, administrators, and support staff at schools, public agencies, and institutions.
  • Recruit, hire, train, and evaluate primary and supplemental staff.
  • Confer with parents and staff to discuss educational activities, policies, and student behavioral or learning problems.

We asked Elementary and Secondary School Principals how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

Job satisfaction

88%

How meaningful is this job

95%


88% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 95% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.



Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Elementary and Secondary School Principals evaluate curricula, teaching methods, and programs to determine their effectiveness, efficiency, and use, and to ensure that school activities comply with federal, state, and local regulations. They direct and coordinate activities of teachers, administrators, and support staff at schools, public agencies, and institutions.

A typical day for an Elementary and Secondary School Education Administrator will also include:

  • Collaborate with teachers to develop and maintain curriculum standards, develop mission statements, and set performance goals and objectives.
  • Plan, coordinate, and oversee school logistics programs, such as bus and food services.
  • Confer with parents and staff to discuss educational activities, policies, and student behavioral or learning problems.
  • Enforce discipline and attendance rules.
  • Counsel and provide guidance to students regarding personal, academic, vocational, or behavioral issues.

We asked some Elementary and Secondary School Principals a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job? 100% said yes
How important is it to work in a team in this job? 92% said very important
Do you have group discussions everyday in this job? 100% said yes
Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job? 79% said yes
Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job? 42% said yes
Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job? 68% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Elementary and Secondary School Principals also plan and lead professional development activities for teachers, administrators, and support staff. They may also direct and coordinate school maintenance services and the use of school facilities.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Elementary and Secondary School Principals Participate in special education-related activities, such as attending meetings and providing support to special educators throughout the district. They might also Coordinate and direct extracurricular activities and programs, such as after-school events and athletic contests.

In addition, they Plan and develop instructional methods and content for educational, vocational, or student activity programs.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Counsel and provide guidance to students regarding personal, academic, vocational, or behavioral issues.

To some Elementary and Secondary School Principals, it is also their responsibility to Determine allocations of funds for staff, supplies, materials, and equipment, and authorize purchases.


Working life

Working hours

More than 40 hours per week

Working schedule

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as an Elementary and Secondary School Education Administrator, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Do Elementary and Secondary School Principals work in an office-style work environment?

Every day
97%


Never
2%


Do Elementary and Secondary School Principals work outdoors?

Every day
32%


Never
31%



Is this right for me

Best personality for this career

The Entrepreneurs and The Helpers

People who are suitable for this job tends to like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business..

They also like working with, communicating with, and teaching people. They like helping or providing service to others.

You can read more about these career personality types here.



Learn more about Elementary and Secondary School Principals

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Related to Elementary and Secondary School Education Administrators Job Description

Elementary and Secondary School Education Administrators job description, what do Elementary and Secondary School Education Administrators do, typical day for Elementary and Secondary School Education Administrators, what is it like to work as an Elementary and Secondary School Education Administrator, how many hours do Elementary and Secondary School Education Administrators work, day to day work of an Elementary and Secondary School Education Administrator

Additional resources

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/management/elementary-middle-and-high-school-principals.htm
http://naesp.org/
http://www.nassp.org/


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