Top 10 Things a Principal Wants in a Teacher

Let me first say I'm only one Principal. I have not surveyed 100 Principals to see what they want in a teacher. This is my perspective, however, I feel like I can pretty much bank on the fact that 99% of Principals would at least appreciate these qualities in a teacher. When I have the opportunity to hire, I take it so very seriously. Not only am I trying to find a candidate who will be good for the students but also someone who will fit well within our entire school community.

I'm taking out my #1 from the top ten, so you're really getting a top 11.  This is my absolute, hands-down, number 1 look for in a candidate...are they:

If you are a genuine human being, I will take every answer to your interview questions seriously. If I can tell you're fake/insincere forget it. We might as well not waste your time or mine. #sorrynotsorry

Ok so you've passed the genuine test? Here are the top 10 other things I'm looking for that you will have to prove with your answers in your interview:

1. Building relationships is your priority. Teachers have to understand that without a strong relationship with a child, the child will not learn from you. If your classroom management is suffering, you haven't built a strong enough relationship with your students. If you have a child that is testing you, you need to commit to building or rebuilding your relationship with that child. If a student feels like you genuinely care for them as a human being, they will do anything they can to learn from you.

2. You are coachable. There is legit nothing worse than a teacher thinking they're perfect. If I provide feedback to a teacher and they a) become defensive, b) roll their eyes, or c) look at me like I'm out of touch...I want to instantly high five their face. I know that's not nice but it's true. You don't have to necessarily agree with my feedback, but it is simply there for you to use as reflective tool and possibly manipulate it to fit how 'you do you' in a future lesson. *Most* principals have been placed in their positions for a reason, and it is usually because they know their stuff. If you don't understand the feedback, ask for clarification or an example or for the principal to come model it for you. Feedback is never given because we are seeking imperfection, it is because we believe in you and know you have the potential to become better with each lesson.

3. Adapting to change is a part of the gig.  One of the great things about education is that in your 30 years teaching, you have the opportunity to adapt each year. You shouldn't be teaching the same lessons year after year because, well, you don't have the same students year after year. Many things come and go in education, because it is a profession we are constantly working to improve. I am a sucker for new stuff...that can at times be a gift and a fault. But when I find something I believe in and bring it to my leadership team, I am hoping that most [or preferably all] will see that while change includes a lot of extra hard work - we are in the business of doing whatever it takes to make a difference in the life of a child. It's ok to ask questions, to propose improvements to the change, but to say "it's too hard" or "that's too much work" tells me that you don't want to teach at our school.

4. There is a leader in you somewhere. Please don't be a wall flower. Don't hide in your classroom to avoid extra responsibility or recognition. I will seek you out! I want to see your potential as a leader not just in your classroom, but in our building [and maybe beyond]. There is absolutely nothing better than seeing a teacher share their passion. Offering to lead or moving into a leadership position does not mean you are a show off or have an ego. It means you want to help improve education for all students, not just the ones in your classroom. Oh also! Be helpful! When you see something that needs to be done, step up and lead the charge without being asked. The whole "that's not in my job description" is total and complete crap. When you work in a school, everything is your job especially if you are a leader. Pick up trash when you see it on the floor in the hallway, answer the phone if the secretary is busy, get a kid a pack of ice as you pass through the office.

5. As a teacher you are engaging and as a learner you are engaged. One of my biggest pet peeves is a teacher on their phone or talking to a colleague during a staff meeting. You're not making an effort to be an engaged learner. If that is the way you behave in a professional setting, you're likely not an engaging teacher for your kiddos. I probably could write an entire blog post on this alone. When I walk into your classroom, I want to see 100% of your class engaged in something worthwhile. Not doing busywork {rainbow spelling, pyramids, ugh!ugh!ugh!}. Your classroom shouldn't be completely silent unless 1) It's independent reading time and you're working on building stamina OR 2) You're testing.

6. Drive and motivation are your middle name(s). Take risks. If you have a great idea, try it (within reason). You can't learn and progress without failure. Set goals. For you, and for your students. They will meet your expectations the higher your set them. Sometimes you will feel like giving up, but your drive and motivation will keep you going. And when you get that I'm 'bout to give this up feeling, go to your colleagues or to me for a swift kick in the pants ;) Don't get stuck in a rut, that does zero good for our school!

7. Honesty is the best policy even if it makes conversations difficult. A super important thing to remember is to be honest in all conversations. Telling people what you think they want to hear does them no good. This goes for conversations with students, parents, your colleagues, and your boss. If you have to have a difficult conversation with anyone, and you go straight to them - rather than to someone else - you will be so well respected!

8. There is not one ounce of 16-year-old gossip girl/guy left in you. I need to see that you are mature. You would be surprised at the mega-amount of gossip that adults will engage in while at work, particularly when they work in a school. I find it repulsive, to be honest, when I hear people speak poorly of their colleagues behind their back and then act like rainbows and unicorns to their face. Stooping to the level of a child is a quick and easy way to lose respect. There is a time and a place to vent, and that place is at your home. And that place is most certainly never on social media.

9. Balance is evident in your classroom and your life. There is no better way to burn yourself out than to try to do everything all at once. If you overextend yourself at work and at home, you will make yourself sick. Self-care is so extremely important. In the classroom, you don't need to overdo it either. Work hard, push your students, but you don't need to be doing room transformations every single day. When I taught, I felt like I was an entertainer 100% of the day in order to achieve engagement. What I've realized as an administrator is that students need time to collaborate and also time to work alone. That's when you get to step down from entertaining and engage one on one with students. There needs to be a balance in how you teach so you don't get teacher burnout too.

10. Kindness never goes out of fashion. Every day I remind our school community on morning and afternoon announcements to "Make good choices and be Kind to one another". I'm so not speaking only to students when I say this. Adults need to model kindness when speaking to one another as well as to their students. You can just tell when someone is genuinely kind versus when they are constantly making the effort and exhaust themselves from trying to be kind. Practice kindness daily, especially when you think not one person is listening. Unkindness travels so quickly and then you need to refer back to #8.

You can "study" these all you want, but I will know in the interview if you genuinely exemplify these traits. So, let's say you're not quite there yet, you know maybe 2 or 3 of these describe you but definitely not all 11. This doesn't mean you'll never get a job. Because let's be honest, nobody is perfect. There is no teacher that hits all 11 nails square on the head each day. Here are five quick things I think you could do to prepare yourself for being a desired hire:

• Spend time seeking out teachers who are genuine examples of the areas in which you lack. You don't think you have balance or even really know what balance in the classroom means? Ask a local principal if they have a teacher who displays balance in their classroom and get permission to go observe or go talk with them. Eat UP everything you see, hear, and learn.
• Watch this TED TALK with Celeste Headlee. This will enlighten you on how to engage in professional conversation and how to be a good listener. This ties in nicely to numbers 5 and 7 above.
• Practice talking and interacting with all ages of children. Especially if you're not yet a mom! You need to have a pulse on what kids are into and how they speak and see the world. If you come into my office for an interview and there are children around, a very telling way to see if you are able to build genuine relationships is to see if you interact with the kids in the office. Don't be a creep and go hang out at a park, you will end up arrested probably. But hang out with your friends or family that have children. Heck you can even watch how other people interact with children!
• Ask someone who knows you really well the following two questions and don't become defensive with their answer(s). What is something you hope I continue to do? What is something you wish I'd stop doing? Take this feedback and learn from it. Doesn't mean you have to stop doing whatever they said, but identify the action as a piece of your life that needs improvement. Modify it to fit who you are. If you get defensive or you give that person the silent treatment for 3 days, you're not ready to be in a coachable position like teaching.
• Start reading. Read educational blogs, scholarly articles, books. Listen to educational podcasts or TED talks. Learn from other people. You don't need to agree with everything they say or recommend, but when you can speak to professional growth you seek on your own, I will know that you have drive and passion to learn (and teach).

Gah that was long! I do hope, however, that you took something from this post. Particularly if you're fresh out of college or even contemplating moving districts. Again, not all principals are the same. I am one person. But, what would it hurt if you knew these things and took steps toward self-improvement? I'd love to hear your thoughts or additions to my Top 10 (11).