It's National Principals Month, and longtime members know what that means. Join us on social media or follow along in your email for our weekly prompts. Each week, we pick some of our favorites to highlight. This week, our prompt was, "Share a moment when you realized your vision for your school was becoming a reality."
Here are some of our favorites!
Don't forget to check your email, social media, or scroll down for the next prompt for your chance to win!
Kirsten Mulvaney, Assistant Principal, Toppenish High, Toppenish SD
"Our high school made a bold commitment this year to becoming a phone-free environment after being lax for the past couple of years. At first, we anticipated challenges in getting all stakeholders on board, but the support exceeded our expectations. The first few weeks were tough as everyone adjusted, but soon, we began to witness something amazing—kids being kids again. Students are more engaged in class and have started having meaningful, in-depth conversations. This shift has even pushed teachers to increase the rigor because students are progressing through the content more efficiently. We were prepared for them to revert to phones during free time, but instead, they’ve started engaging in activities like playing cards at lunch and even requesting four square balls. It’s remarkable—there are fewer phones out now than before. Watching this transformation, I realized our vision was becoming a reality: a more connected, engaged school community."
Marcus Micheles, Assistant Principal, Shaw Road Elementary, Puyallup SD
This school year, I'm returning to the elementary level from junior high and one vision that I had for my new building was to create a culture of building and developing student leaders. At the junior high schools, I worked last year as a Dean of Students, I worked alongside our leadership students in a variety of spaces with a handful of school projects. At my school this year, my vision was to create opportunities for students to participate in school leadership in a variety of ways that are equitable and accessible to all our students. Some of the leadership opportunities that we've created this year are, crossing guards, breakfast helpers, kindergarten buddies, hospitality crew (Before school / assemblies), library support, campus beautification team, and morning announcement team. We have had hundreds of students complete our leadership interest form and we have been plugging in so many students into our leadership teams. The rate of behavioral incidents has decreased, students have expressed their excitement for their service, and the overall climate of the building is becoming more and more positive. My vision of our school raising, empowering, and sending off leaders to the next level is quickly becoming a reality and I am SO excited to see where our students take their leadership skills throughout the year!
Stephanie Barringer, Principal, Meridian Elementary School, Kent SD
The moment I realized our vision of every student belongs was becoming a reality when other staff started creating opportunities to make each student feel special and loved. For example, one staff member started making friendship bracelets for students in her intervention class and it caught on like wildfire. Enough so, that we had one for staff and students with special words. Another staff member coordinated having her class call new students and welcome them to school. That became an instant hit and all new students received a welcoming call from a peer in their classroom, and sometimes in their home language.
Faye Britt, Principal, Hazelwood Elementary, Edmonds SD
Sharing ownership of our belonging SIP goal with our student advisory (4th-6th graders in a K-6 school), stepping back and watching them take it and run with it, them choosing to schedule weekly meetings for themselves, and their true ownership of it. And, it’s only October 1. I can’t wait to see what they accomplish this year!! Shout out to James Layman (AWSL Director) for setting us all up for success in June!
Week Two: Imagine you are writing a book about your leadership journey. What would be the title of the first chapter?