School Leadership

Learn more about the work of school-level leaders including principals, assistant principals, and other administrators

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The Principal Is In: Advice for Principals
In a biweekly Education Week column, experienced principals and other school leadership experts offer advice for their peers.
Teaching Profession Download Insights for School Leaders: How to Better Support Teachers
EdWeek's downloadable guide offers tips to principals on how to improve the morale and working conditions of educators.
Sean Cavanagh, March 4, 2026
1 min read
Image of a male and female silhouette standing near an illustrated ladder going.
Afry Harvy/iStock/Getty
School & District Management Many Assistant Principals Aren’t Seeking Promotion. Here’s Why
The assistant principalship isn’t just a stepping stone to the top job in a school.
Olina Banerji, March 2, 2026
6 min read
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Belonging as a Leadership Strategy: Five Practical Actions That Strengthen Learning
Belonging has become an imperative for school and district leaders navigating attendance challenges, disengagement, and staff strain. Belonging is not abstract—actions to promote belonging are central to performance and culture.
Content provided by National University
A school leader changes their perspective and focuses on the positive parts of their career.
Vanessa Solis/Education Week via Canva
School & District Management Opinion The One Word That Educators Can Use to Reclaim Their Joy
The work may not change, but your perspective can.
S. Kambar Khoshaba, February 24, 2026
3 min read
Conceptual illustration of classroom conversations and fragmented education elements coming together to form a cohesive picture of a book of classroom knowledge.
Sonia Pulido for Education Week
School & District Management Opinion 12 Strategies Administrators Can Use to Prevent Staff Burnout (and Their Own)
Creating a healthier school culture begins with building trust, but it doesn't end there.
Larry Ferlazzo, February 23, 2026
7 min read
Valley View Elementary School principal Jason Kuhlman delivers food donations to families from the school Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in Columbia Heights, Minn.
Valley View Elementary School Principal Jason Kuhlman delivers food donations to school families on Feb. 3, 2026, in Columbia Heights, Minn. School leaders in the Twin Cities have been trying to assuage the fears of over immigration enforcement.
Liam James Doyle/AP
School & District Management What School Leaders Should Do When Parents Are Detained (DOWNLOADABLE)
School leaders are increasingly in need of guidance due to heightened immigration enforcement.
Ileana Najarro, February 17, 2026
1 min read
Bad Bunny performs during halftime of the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif.
Bad Bunny performs during halftime of the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif.
Charlie Riedel/AP
School & District Management Opinion Why Bad Bunny’s Half-Time Performance Was a Case Study for School Leadership
The megastar’s show was an invitation in a challenging moment. Did you catch it?
Peter DeWitt & Michael Nelson, February 17, 2026
3 min read
In this image provided by NAESP, elementary school principals gathered on Capitol Hill recently to meet with their state's congressional delegations in Washington
Elementary school principals gathered on Capitol Hill on Feb. 11, 2026,<ins data-user-label="Madeline Will" data-time="02/12/2026 11:53:27 AM" data-user-id="00000175-2522-d295-a175-a7366b840000" data-target-id=""> </ins>to meet with their state's congressional delegations in Washington. They advocated for lawmakers to protect federal K-12 investments.
John Simms/NAESP
School & District Management On Capitol Hill, Relieved Principals Press for Even More Federal Support
With the fiscal 2026 budget maintaining level K-12 funding, principals look to the future.
Olina Banerji, February 12, 2026
7 min read
Screen Shot 2026 02 01 at 8.23.47 AM
Canva
School & District Management Opinion The News Headlines Are Draining Educators. 5 Things That Can Help
School leaders can take concrete steps to manage the impact of the political upheaval.
Peter DeWitt & Michael Nelson, February 11, 2026
5 min read
Photo of group meeting with questions and answers session
iStock
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
Businesswoman and businessman HR manager interviewing woman. Candidate female sitting her back to camera, focus on her, close up rear view, interviewers on background. Human resources, hiring concept
iStock/Getty
Recruitment & Retention Principals Can Make or Break Schools. How Districts Find the Right Fit
Gauging job candidates' readiness for the challenges of running a school is not easy.
Olina Banerji, January 30, 2026
5 min read
High school students protest during a walkout in opposition to President Donald Trump's policies Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, in Los Angeles. A survey published in December shows how the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement agenda is upending educators’ ability to create stable learning environments as escalated enforcement depresses attendance and hurts academic achievement.
High school students protest during a walkout in opposition to President Donald Trump's immigration policies on Jan. 20, 2026, in Los Angeles. A survey published in December shows how the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement agenda is challenging educators’ ability to create stable learning environments.
Jill Connelly/AP
School & District Management Heightened Immigration Enforcement Is Weighing on Most Principals
A new survey of high school principals highlights how immigration enforcement is affecting schools.
Ileana Najarro, January 29, 2026
5 min read
A figure looking in the mirror viewing their previous selves. Reflection of school career. School leaders, passage of time.
Vanessa Solis/Education Week via Canva
School & District Management Opinion What a Conversation About My Marriage Taught Me About Running a School
As principals grow into the role, we must find the courage to ask hard questions about our leadership.
Ian Knox, January 27, 2026
4 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