Principal PD

Professional Development K-12 Essentials Forum Getting Professional Development to Stick
Join this free virtual event to explore best practices, funding, format, and timing for teacher and principal PD.
June 18, 2026
A high school principal gives a high-five to an incoming junior at the school, as upper-level students return on their first day of school in Brattleboro, Vt., on Aug. 28, 2025.
A high school principal gives a high-five to an incoming junior at the school, as upper-level students return on their first day of school in Brattleboro, Vt., on Aug. 28, 2025. Principals need access to frequent and relevant professional development opportunities to tackle the rising complexities of the job.
Kristopher Radder/The Brattleboro Reformer via AP
Professional Development Practical and Paced: How Principals Like Their PD Served Up
Principal PD must reflect the demands and constraints of the job.
Olina Banerji, May 22, 2026
5 min read
Edenton, N.C. - September 5th, 2025: Sonya Rinehart, principal at John A. Holmes High School, coordinates with other faculty members on a walkie talkie during in the hallway during class change.
A principal at a high school in Edenton, N.C., coordinates with other faculty members on a walkie talkie during in the hallway during class change on Sept. 5, 2025. School leaders in the state say they are happy with their districts but need more support and learning opportunities.
Cornell Watson for Education Week
School & District Management A New Survey Shows What a State Gets Right and Wrong for Its School Leaders
The group behind it hopes statewide results help district leaders do their jobs better.
Olina Banerji, May 20, 2026
5 min read
A leader isolated on a floating dock in the center of an empty expanse.
Vanessa Solis/Education Week + Canva
School & District Management Opinion School Leadership Can Feel Painfully Lonely. It Doesn’t Have To
Here are three ways I’ve learned to stave off the isolation of being a principal.
Nicole Forrest, May 19, 2026
4 min read
4 Principals need PD too DEF
Edmon de Haro for Education Week
Professional Development Lessons Learned About Effective Professional Development for Principals
The best professional development for principals has a lot in common with the best PD for teachers.
Olina Banerji, May 18, 2026
7 min read
4 Principals need PD too DEF
Edmon de Haro for Education Week
Special Report Beyond the ‘One-and-Done’: Professional Development That Sticks
Professional development is a mainstay in K-12 schools. Is it what teachers and principals need to grow?
May 18, 2026
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
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Professional Development Whitepaper
High-Quality Principal PD Builds Skills and Confidence
Many principals aren’t properly prepared for the big expectations of the job. When they’re supported with the right professional developm...
Content provided by Cognia
Photo of group meeting with questions and answers session
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Professional Development Principals Need PD, Too. Here’s What They List as Top Priorities
Teacher retention and improving academic performance often top the list.
Olina Banerji, February 5, 2026
5 min read
Photo of school officials having conversation.
iStock
School & District Management How Principals Are Coaching the Next Generation of School Leaders
Mentors give aspiring school leaders an unvarnished view of the principalship.
Olina Banerji, January 21, 2026
6 min read
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Professional Development Opinion How Education Leaders Can Build a Better Space for Collaborative Learning
School improvement often falls flat, and initiatives are easily abandoned. That can be changed.
Michael Nelson & Peter DeWitt, November 12, 2025
5 min read
Professional Development Live Online Discussion A Seat at the Table: How School Leaders and Teachers Can Learn From Each Other
How can teachers and school leaders engage meaningfully? Join the conversation for strategic insights into this critical relationship.
October 23, 2025
ILC's in Alabama discuss a protocol developed by Michael Nelson.
ILC's in Alabama discuss a protocol developed by Michael Nelson.
Peter DeWitt
Professional Development Opinion Looking for a New Way to Approach Professional Learning? Try This
Instructional leadership collectives build cross-system networks for purposeful, impactful learning.
Peter DeWitt & Michael Nelson, October 13, 2025
5 min read
Game figures with round speech bubbles with blackboard background. Concept for polarization, discussion, chat, communication.
iStock/Getty
Professional Development Opinion Yes, Teachers Should Discuss Their Politics With Each Other at Work
Telling personal stories breaks down barriers and models what can be done in the classroom.
Kent Lenci, October 6, 2025
5 min read
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Professional Development Opinion We Asked 100 Leaders for Their Top Challenges. Here's What We Learned
There are 10 major patterns to the problems in their schools.
Peter DeWitt & Michael Nelson, September 9, 2025
5 min read