What are the prerequisites for becoming a School Principal?

[Hillbeans]

Does anyone know what they may be? I am just curious as I have a family member who has been a teacher for only about 3 years and they are going to classes to become a principal. I always thought a principal had to be a teacher for "X" number of years, or vested.

If anyone knows to satisfy my curiosity i'd greatly appreciate the answer. Thanks.

 

[simpilotswife]

I think it depends on the state and/or school district. In our district I don't know the number of years you have to be a teacher, but I do know that you need an administrative degree.

 

[Franne]

I teach in NYC and you don't have to have a certain amount of years, just the supervision degree. Most of the principals I have had have taught many years before coming principal. But I know of others who have only been around 3-4 years and get it.

 

[Cindy B]

My district requires a administrator certificate (masters degree program) and 3 years of teaching.

 

[mudpuppy]

I worked in the business side of education for many years, and from what I know, one may be come a principal without stepping foot in the classroom. Its all based on how many administrative courses and units that have been taken with an emphasis on education. Most principals have worked in the classroom and I'm guessing it helps to have that experience during the selection process, but I don't believe there is a qualifying number. However, every state may be different and others from your area may be able to shed more light on the subject.

 

[minniecarousel]

Most of the principals that I know started out as an Assistant Principal or "Teacher on Special Assignment" before being considered for a Principal's job. And, yes, you need to take the administrative classes and get that degree (in addition to a teaching credential).

 

[chadfromdallas]

Bleh, figured this thread would be chalk full of information

I'm actually switching over to administrative education and counseling from accounting and have been thinking about becoming a principal

 

[KristaTX]

I'm actually switching over to administrative education and counciling from accounting and have been thinking about becoming a principle

I think maybe you mean "counseling", and I hope you mean "principal". Remember. . . the principal is your pal .

 

[mrsv98]

In IL you need a Master's degree and a type 75 certificate. In reality, to be a principal at one of the really good schools, you need a EdD.

 

[chadfromdallas]

I think maybe you mean "counseling", and I hope you mean "principal". Remember. . . the principal is your pal .

Bleh, still stuff left in the brain from last night

 

[Hillbeans]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I know that he has his Bachelors in Education, however I'm not sure if the "classes" are actually towards a certificate or a degree, however i'm pretty sure they are NOT towards a degree.

I sort of thought that you'd need at least a Masters Degree for it however that doesn't seem to be the case. What is interesting about this whole topic for me is that a very young, just out of college student could become principal.....is that correct???? Interesting.

 

[chadfromdallas]

What is interesting about this whole topic for me is that a very young, just out of college student could become principal.....is that correct???? Interesting.

Do you see something wrong with that?

 

[Hillbeans]

Do you see something wrong with that?

Well yes actually I do. I think a Principal of a school should have experience teaching before becoming a Principal, not just X number of years of book learning.

That is just my opinion, however I also see from the posts above that a lot of school districts also have teaching 3 + years as a requirement.

 

[chadfromdallas]

Well yes actually I do. I think a Principal of a school should have experience teaching before becoming a Principal, not just X number of years of book learning.

Well, like most degrees, its not just book learning, but has a bit of interning as well.

 

[Hillbeans]

Well, like most degrees, its not just book learning, but has a bit of interning as well.

That i've never heard of being a Principal Intern...I have heard of asst. Principal though.

I'll have to find out next time I see this relative because now i'm interested in what exactly the requirements are in his school district as well as the one i'll be sending my 4 YO to here in NJ in a couple of years.

 

[RumpleMom]

I have seen very young high school principals.

Personally, I feel better knowing they have spent more than 5 years in the classroom before telling other teachers how to teach.

You can earn a principal's certificate and still be a classroom teacher. You will be paid a higher salary because of the additional certificate.

 

[Cindy B]

That i've never heard of being a Principal Intern...I have heard of asst. Principal though.

I'll have to find out next time I see this relative because now i'm interested in what exactly the requirements are in his school district as well as the one i'll be sending my 4 YO to here in NJ in a couple of years.

My district is now starting Principal Interns.

 

[golfgal]

My SIL is a principal and has a PhE or what ever the initials are, a doctorate in administration. She did an internship for 1/2 a year before taking over full time, but in her case, the principal was being moved to a new building and she was going to take over his job at the current building (she was a teacher there as well). An intership is not that common, but it was a way for them to fill a position without having to pay for the position (she hadn't finished her degree yet-did that that spring). Part of the job requirement was 3+ years teaching, but often they don't take teachers with less then 5+ years. It usually takes at least 3 years to get a degree anyway because most teachers take classes part time. She is a principal in a middle school, God bless her, and loves her job. I love hearing the stories!

 

[dis4me]

Hillbeans I am in Central Jersey also and I think it is sort of an unwritten rude that you must teach 5 or more years to become a principal and at least have a masters in education administration. I have taught for 11 years and had children in school for 5 and I haven't come across a "young principal" around here.LOL My last boss was in his 30's but had taught well over 5 years.
I agree with you though if it isn't a requirement it should be. How can a principal assess, evaluate and guide a teacher if they haven't taught that long themselves.

 

[Galahad]

Even if it were possible to become a principal without being a teacher (and I pray it is not) I think you'd have an impossible time managing a school if you were not first a teacher. Your staff would have problems following. In our state, and I suspect in most, all administrators must be certified teachers and still spend a certain number of days each year teaching in the classroom. My father had a 35+ year career in public education, starting as a teacher and retiring as superintendent. Even when he was a principal, administrator or superintendent, when asked what he did for a living his answer was always..."I am a teacher". A school administrator will fail if they are not a teacher, IMO.