A matter of principal: Perspectives from North Penn principals

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Image courtesy of npsd.phanfare.com

PRINCIPAL PERSPECTIVE: North Penn High School Principal Burt Hynes speaks about longtime NPHS teacher Selma Robinson during the 2014 retirees dinner and celebration.

Taylor Young, Staff Writer

TOWAMENCIN- Assuming the role as principal of a school, no matter what the size of the school, is an extremely difficult, yet rewarding, opportunity. The endless demands of a school require this confident, passionate leader’s undivided attention, as the success of a school would not be possible without a dedicated principal.

In the state of Pennsylvania, every principal is required to experience at least five certified years of teaching in the classroom. The exposure presents a principal with a better understanding of what a teacher goes through on a daily basis. In order to fully appreciate and represent a teacher’s best interest, this knowledge is crucial.

“When I was an English teacher, I depended on support from the administration,” explained Ms. Amy Schwartz, assistant principal at North Penn High School. “If I needed help with classroom management, if there was a student who was challenging, or if I wanted feedback on what I could do better as a teacher, I knew I could ask my principal for the support that every teacher needs.”

Schwartz also added that she never ignores a teacher who asks for help. To assist a struggling teacher with a challenging class, she would suggest teaching strategies. This type of feedback is an important aspect of a principal’s job that all teachers value.

For the majority of principals, leaving the classroom is easier said than done. Departing from this position can be an emotional process, since teachers have such passion for educating their students. However, the change is necessary in order to reveal the true impact one can have on a school.

“I knew that I wanted to have an even larger impact on education than I could have just solely within my classroom alone,” said Mrs. Annie Laurie Robbins, assistant principal at Penndale Middle School. “It was a very difficult decision for me to leave the classroom because I really love being a teacher. But I knew that I could have an even greater impact on even more students by becoming a principal.”

The impact that Robbins mentions is more than one can imagine. The responsibility of a principal isn’t just answering emails or phone calls. It’s much more than that. Principals have the ability to influence anyone who walks through a school’s doors.

However, the shift from a teacher to an administrator brings on an unimaginable quantity of responsibilities that require continuous amounts of dedication. Mr. Burt Hynes, principal of North Penn High School, explained one of the most significant adjustments he experienced when he first became a principal.

“When you’re a teacher, at least back in the day, you’re pretty autonomous in the classroom,” explained Hynes. “You were able to go in, close the door, and teach. And at the end of the year, folks looked at the results and how your students did. I made sure they were prepared for the next course in the sequence, but when you became an administrator, you have to check with everyone. You have to get consensus and get used to hearing everybody’s opinions on everything.”

Hynes went on to explain the significance of not understanding all the inputs before moving forward with things. This would result in a bad decision, as you would not have considered all the varying perspectives.

In addition, by promoting the educational development of students and professional development of staff, a principal has to ensure that a school is on the road to success. Completing this task is not simple, but with a few key characteristics anything is possible.

When asked what traits every principal should have, Dr. Sean O’Sullivan, principal of Penndale Middle School, noted that leadership and being a good listener and learner are most significant. On the other hand, Mrs. Heather Mann, principal at Knapp Elementary School, believes that being flexible, collaborative, and a good problem solver is crucial.

The differing views of what qualities every principal should have represent the unique perspective each principal brings to his or her own school. Different leaders bring different strategies in order to obtain the common goal of success, which is so amazing to exhibit in a school’s atmosphere.

From a student’s perspective, the most important trait for a principal to have is a bit different. Rebecca Brandolph, an eighth grader at Penndale Middle School, stated that being friendly is most influential.

A principal’s ability to connect with and inspire his or her students depends on the involvement with the school’s day to day activities. Witnessing one’s principal at a school dance, football game, or science fair means a lot to students. By attending these events, a principal displays his or her support outside of the classroom.

“I think that they should [be involved] because, personally, at our school everybody knows all three of our principals: Mrs. Robbins, Mr. Bashaw, and Dr. O’Sullivan,” explained Brandolph. “That’s because they’re involved. Nobody wants a principal that they only hear about and never see and is never involved and doesn’t seem interested in the people in the school.”

Students appreciate the involvement that principals display in a school. Without it, they wouldn’t be motivated to share with principals their interests, future goals, or problems.

Robbins mentioned that one of the most enjoyable aspects of being a principal is working with the people in a school.

“I love when I get the opportunity to work with teachers in developing their instructional practices. Additionally, I love when I get the opportunity to work with students in helping them discover who they will be in the future,” explained Robbins.

Principals may be occupied with transcending the needs of students and staff, but they always have time to continue learning. As a principal expands his or her knowledge, they become open to more ideas and grow as a leader.

O’Sullivan explained one of the things he learned since he first became a principal is the importance of exchanging information.

“Communication is key. You need to keep all students, parents, and teachers informed,” explained O’Sullivan. “Social media can be your friend as it gets the positive message about your school out to your community.”

Penndale prinicpal Dr. Sean O'Sullivan congratulates Mrs. Barbara Sturgeon on her superintendent's honor roll award.
Photo courtesy of npsd.phanfare.com
Penndale principal Dr. Sean O’Sullivan congratulates Mrs. Barbara Sturgeon on her superintendent’s honor roll award.

In addition to learning experiences, a principal’s view on education may change from when he or she first began. For Mann, this change occurred.

“My perspective on education has been broadened since I became a principal,” said Mann. “While I may not be directly providing the learning opportunities to students, I can play a different role in making sure that the types of opportunities are varied and that teachers have the tools and professional development they need to help all students succeed.”

At the end of the day, what’s most rewarding is witnessing the excellence in a school. Every principal hopes to witness productive classes when they walk the halls. Nothing could ever be more gratifying.

Hynes explained how pleased he is with the effort exemplified by the students and staff. Recently he had reason to go to B-pod several times during instructional time.

“As I walked the building during classes, I felt like I was in a university,” said Hynes. “Students were engaged, teachers were teaching, and it was just absolutely impressive. Period after period. It wasn’t just a fluke. It was period after period. I saw students sitting there in classes taking notes, raising their hands, participating. The look on their face said ‘I’m following what’s going on.'”

A principal is an extremely powerful person. Experience, knowledge, involvement, and growth contribute to the leader’s ability to guide a school on the road to success. Without principals, witnessing the excellence by both students and staff, like the instance Hynes explained, would not be possible. A principal’s function in a school is the catalyst that leads others to endless accomplishments.