What are the prerequisites for becoming a School Principal?

[golfgal]

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.

Our high school principal LOOKS like he is about 25, but he is 40. A lot of people wondered why they hired such a young guy, but he is a lot older then he looks.

 

[Figment]

In PA (& I think in NJ as well as in most other states), a principal must have at least 5 years of successful teaching, and must be certified. The certification consists of admin. & leadership coursework (approx 30 credits, so a master's is not neccessary, but if you are in the program, it is foolish not to get the cert & the master's) consisting of school law, observation, supervision, etc.... THEN, one must pass the PRAXIS exam from ETS. It is about 6 hours of essays at a cost of only $465...I passed mine this fall & am looking for a principal's job in PA presently. All of this paperwork must be certified by the state for another fee.

 

[ugadog99]

Disclaimer: I'm donning my flame suit prior to this post. I am a teacher with 21 years experience in one county. So...flame away!


They become principals when they realize they can't cut it in the classroom!

 

[Figment]

Disclaimer: I'm donning my flame suit prior to this post. I am a teacher with 21 years experience in one county. So...flame away!


They become principals when they realize they can't cut it in the classroom!

People complain about those who become principals when they get called out for their incompetency. Do alot of complaining, do you?

 

[golfgal]

Disclaimer: I'm donning my flame suit prior to this post. I am a teacher with 21 years experience in one county. So...flame away!


They become principals when they realize they can't cut it in the classroom!

Boy, that is really unfair to generalize like that! I know plenty of principals that are still excellent teachers. My SIL was teacher of the year for her district a few times and would still be an excellent teacher, but she is also an excellent principal. The middle school, high school and Catholic School prinicipals in our district are all excellent teachers. Now, I have to agree that some are not the best teachers, and I have worked for some really sub-par principals, but for the most part they have been good. Even if they were not great teachers, it doesn't mean they would be bad administrators. Some of the best teachers I know would be TERRIBLE prinicpals.

 

[lissawynn]

In PA you must teach for five years. Most people who get their principal certificates also have a Master's degree in education. The principal's certificate usually requires 30 credits after the Master's degree and many hours of observation with an accreditated (sp?) principal.

 

[Galahad]

The term "principal" actually comes from a reference to the person being the "principal teacher" at a school.

 

[caitycaity]

They become principals when they realize they can't cut it in the classroom!

way to generalize.

 

[Cindy B]

My kids principal is 27, one of my building principals just turned 30.

 

[ugadog99]

As I said, flame away. In my county (and others I have been associated with) many of the principals are those who couldn't last in the classroom. I don't complain, I do my job, and have never received anything less than perfect evaluations. For what it's worth, if they don't cut it as principals, then they are moved higher up in the administrative jobs and totally out of the schools. Believe it or not, many times that is how it is. Please understand that I am not saying this about all administration personnel. However, I have been associated with many for whom my observation remains accurate.

 

[Figment]

Please understand that I am not saying this about all administration personnel. QUOTE]

uhh...no. you did say this about all administrators, earlier.