It is officially October, which means it is time to celebrate National Principals Month! NASSP is once again partnering with the American Federation of School Administrators (AFSA) and the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) to host this monthlong celebration honoring the contributions principals make toward school improvement and student success. The first week of October offers principals several different events aimed at promoting their success:
October 2, webinar, 3:00–4:00 p.m. EST: Leading in Tough Times
- Times can be tough in schools and education. Budget shortfalls, escalating recruitment and retention challenges, state and federal mandates, growing accountability and assessment requirements…the list goes on and on. How can principals meet all the demands they are facing? What skills are essential when the going gets tough to ensure student needs are exceeded? Join Ray McNulty, president of Successful Practices Network, in this informative webinar and learn how to successfully face the storms of controversy in uncertain times. Register here
October 3, National Principals Month Capitol Hill Event, 12:00–1:30 p.m.: Leveraging Principals to Retain Quality Teaching and Boost Student Learning
- The role of the principal has significantly expanded in recent decades. Gone are the days when a principal’s sole managerial responsibilities were largely administrative, which today is just a sliver of a principal’s day-to-day responsibilities. To lead a school effectively, principals must also fulfill the role of instructional leader and create the learning conditions that support teaching and learning. Principals are in classrooms, observing and evaluating instruction, and connecting teachers with the appropriate professional learning opportunities. What federal support do principals need to carry out these important functions? Join us at the 902 Hart Senate Office Building as a panel of experts explore these questions and analyze the problems principals are tackling every day, including teacher shortages and creating a safe and healthy school climate. To join in person, please register here.
October 3, Twitter chat, 8:00 p.m.–12:00 a.m. EST: My Principal Story
- Join NASSP, NAESP and AFSA for a joint Twitter chat on why principal leadership matters. Following the Capitol Hill Briefing on the same topic earlier that day, this chat will allow principals nationwide to weigh in on supporting teacher leaders, common challenges, best practices, and most effective PD sources. Use #ThankAPrincpalto participate.
Wondering what events you can participate in during the month? Visit www.principalsmonth.org and visit our official calendar to see all the events available throughout the month. The website will also highlight other special features of National Principals Month, like federal and state resolutions recognizing principals, National Principal Shadowing Week, E-Cards, the Student Video Contest,and many more. Also, be sure to stay tuned each Monday in October for future Advocacy Updates that highlight the special events the week ahead in October.
NASSP looks forward to you joining us for a month highlighting the excellent work all its members are doing to promote student success. Don’t forget to follow National Principals Month on social media using #ThankAPrincipal!