THE PRINCIPAL STORY Clip Reel

Summary

The video script features passionate school principals Teresa D Dunbar and Gary Purcell, who are dedicated to transforming education and fostering a supportive environment for their students and teachers. They emphasize the importance of strong leadership, community engagement, and providing teachers with the tools to succeed. Despite challenges like low test scores, classroom management issues, and student behavioral problems, they remain committed to driving change and ensuring every child's success.

Takeaways

• 🏫 Principals are seen as key drivers of educational success, requiring a diverse skill set including entrepreneurial spirit, hard work, intelligence, and community engagement.
• 🌟 The heart of a principal is crucial; their belief in the potential of children and the commitment to continuous improvement is highly valued.
• 👩‍🏫 New teachers often lack classroom management skills, necessitating support and mentorship from experienced educators and principals.
• 📈 A focus on instructional leadership is essential, with principals actively engaging in classrooms to guide teaching practices and student learning.
• 🏢 The transformation of a school from crisis to success is possible with strong leadership, as demonstrated by the principal of Harvard Park.
• 👩‍🏭 Support for teachers is vital, especially when they face challenges, with the school administration playing a role in providing resources and mentors.
• 📉 Low student performance is a significant issue, with the need for targeted interventions and a focus on data to drive improvement.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family engagement is critical for student success, with schools actively seeking to involve parents and caregivers in their children's education.
• 👥 The social and emotional needs of students are as important as academic performance, with schools addressing behavior and emotional well-being.
• 🏛️ Schools are held accountable for their performance, with potential closures for underperformance, emphasizing the importance of continuous improvement.
• 📊 Data plays a central role in decision-making, with schools using regular assessments to track student progress and adjust strategies accordingly.

Q & A

What are the qualities of a good principal according to the script?

A good principal should be entrepreneurial, hardworking, smart, an instructional leader, and able to work with the community. They should also have a strong belief in the success of their students and the ability to improve day by day.

How does Teresa D Dunbar describe her role as a principal at Henry H. Nash elementary school?

Teresa D Dunbar sees her role as a principal as a way to affect change in the world by helping children to achieve great things. She loves her kids and believes that they love her in return.

What challenges does Gary Purcell face as the principal at Harvard Park?

Gary Purcell faced a building in crisis with low teacher morale, out of control behavior, and poor test scores when he first arrived at Harvard Park.

What is the role of an instructional leader according to the script?

An instructional leader focuses on instruction and good teaching, being present in classrooms, talking to students, and ensuring that they are doing what they are supposed to be doing.

Why did Mrs. Dubin transition from being a Head Start teacher to a first-grade teacher?

Mrs. Dubin was asked to take the first-grade class because the school needed more support at that level.

How does the school support teachers who are struggling, as illustrated by the case of Mrs. Dubin?

The school supports struggling teachers by providing them with modeling from experienced teachers, strategies, practical advice, and opportunities to learn from more experienced colleagues.

What was the outcome for Mrs. Dubin despite the support she received?

Despite the support, Mrs. Dubin had to leave because she hadn't done all she could do, and the other administrators had done all they could to support her.

How does the principal handle a student bringing a knife to school?

The principal follows procedure, which involves reporting the incident, having the student understand the consequences of their actions, and scheduling a hearing.

What is the principal's approach to student discipline and support?

The principal's approach is to meet the needs of the total child, which goes beyond punishment or consequences, focusing on building personal connections and trust.

What is the significance of the walkthrough process mentioned in the script?

The walkthrough process is significant because it helps the school instructionally to identify practices and areas for improvement for the benefit of the students.

What is the principal's goal regarding student proficiency in reading and math?

The principal's goal is to get 95% of the students proficient in both reading and math, acknowledging that it will take a lot of hard work to achieve this from the current 65%.