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.
A diverse group of people tug of war on the balance bar balanced on the planet earth. Negotiations, balancing conversations.
Vanessa Solis/Education Week + iStock/Getty
School & District Management 3 Ways Principals Can Respond to Polarization and Division
The role of a school leader is inherently difficult and conflict-ridden. Here's what they can do to manage tense situations.
Olina Banerji, September 10, 2024
6 min read
From left, Andrew Rebello, former principal, Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School, Fall River, Mass.; Tracie Anderson Swilley, principal, Fairfield Central High School, Winnsboro, S.C.; Job Wilcox, principal, Petoskey Middle School, Petoskey, Mich.
From left, Andrew Rebello, former principal, Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School, Fall River, Mass.; Tracie Anderson Swilley, principal, Fairfield Central High School, Winnsboro, S.C.; Job Wilcox, principal, Petoskey Middle School, Petoskey, Mich.
Courtesy of NASSP
School & District Management Meet the 3 Finalists for National Principal of the Year
All three finalists spoke about the need to lift up their peers.
Olina Banerji, September 6, 2024
5 min read
A plate balancing four bright red apples in front of a collage of blue school images.
Vanessa Solis/Education Week via Canva
School & District Management Opinion What Principals Get Wrong About Teacher Wellness
“Wellness” needs to offer educators more than just a chance to press pause on their work.
Kevin Wood, August 27, 2024
3 min read
Happiness in work or love of work. businesswoman working with a computer on a smiling face
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School & District Management Principals: Try These 3 Things to Boost Teachers' Morale This Year
Anticipate when burnout is likely and act to keep it in check, a veteran principal advises.
Lesli A. Maxwell, August 27, 2024
2 min read
A scholar look up at a wave that is about to overtake them
Eva Vázquez for Education Week
School & District Management Reported Essay How Principals Can Ride the Storm of Divisive Politics
School leaders must do their best to find a way for everyone to work together and move forward.
Olina Banerji, August 26, 2024
9 min read
Conceptual image of books stacked.
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School & District Management The Books Principals Can't Put Down
School leaders' top recommendation was a book focused on smartphones and youth mental health.
Madeline Will, August 16, 2024
2 min read
Silhouette of mother pumping her breast with automatic breast pump and sunlight evening.
iStock/Getty
School & District Management Download How Schools Can Support Breastfeeding Teachers (Downloadable)
Breastfeeding teachers have the right to pump at work. Download these tips for how to support them.
Elizabeth Heubeck & Vanessa Solis, August 14, 2024
1 min read
Human crowd surrounding a giant protective umbrella on blue background.
Vanessa Solis/Education Week via Canva
School & District Management Opinion When Teachers Burn Out, We Burn Out: A Principal’s Strategy for Staff Morale
By anticipating dips in teacher morale, we can plan timely interventions that keep positivity alive throughout the whole school year.
S. Kambar Khoshaba, August 13, 2024
2 min read
Image of a teacher in a classroom working quietly at desk.
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Teaching Profession Teachers' Morale Is Still Low. They Say Principals Can Help Improve It
Supportive working conditions, spearheaded by principals, can improve teacher satisfaction, according to a study.
Brooke Schultz, August 12, 2024
5 min read
In this March 8, 2017 photo, Logan Cole walks down a hallway decorated with signs supporting him and his school at West Liberty-Salem High School, in West Liberty, Ohio. Logan, who was shot twice by a fellow student at the high school on Jan. 20, was adjusting to his first full week back at school after spending 15 days in Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus fighting for his life and then eventually returning to school part-time.
In this March 8, 2017 photo, Logan Cole walks down a hallway decorated with signs supporting him and his school at West Liberty-Salem High School, in West Liberty, Ohio. Logan, who was shot twice by a fellow student at the high school on Jan. 20, was adjusting to his first full week back at school after spending 15 days in Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus fighting for his life and then eventually returning to school part-time.
Jonathan Quilter/The Columbus Dispatch via AP
School Climate & Safety In Their Own Words How a Principal Who Stopped a School Shooting Learned to Be Vulnerable
Principal Greg Johnson talks about how his life changed after a school shooting.
Olina Banerji, August 8, 2024
6 min read
Photo of two women working at computer.
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Professional Development Video 3 Things Principals Can Do to Make Teacher PD Better
School leaders need to include teacher voice to create the most engaging professional development.
Olina Banerji, August 7, 2024
5 min read
Collaged photo illustration of Simone Biles overcoming mental health challenges, Olympic achievement, leadership, sportsmanship, triumph over adversity + photos by Francisco Seco/AP, Abbie Parr/AP, Gregory Bull/AP
Vanessa Solis/Education Week + AP/Photos + Getty
School & District Management Opinion Simone Biles Has a Lot to Teach Women Education Leaders
The Olympic gold medalist’s honesty about her own mental health concerns is a meaningful reminder to educators.
Julia Rafal-Baer, August 6, 2024
4 min read
Photo of principal greeting student at school bus.
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Student Well-Being What Principals Can Do to Make Sure Students Feel Welcome at School
Student anxiety and absenteeism are top of mind for principals as schools reopen.
Olina Banerji, August 5, 2024
7 min read
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iStock
Professional Development Opinion A Guide for Faculty Meetings That Couldn’t Have Been an Email
What educators recommend for turning staff meetings from time-wasters to truly meaningful.
Mary Hendrie, August 1, 2024
3 min read