Principal Shadowing

The best part of the internship was shadowing the principal. Like we model for our students, it was good to see a typical day for a principal. While I was not able to shadow for a whole day, I was able to select items that I wanted to participate in. These included attending Board Meetings, Parent Teacher Association, Intervention and Referral Services, IEP/504’s, budget planning, hiring, discipline and supervising sports events. These activities showed what events a principal participant in when they are not observing teachers or attending workshops. Watching the principal interact with parents and students was a great way to build relationships with stakeholders. These activities took place throughout the school year. I was able to shadow the principal at concerts and school dances. At concerts, he would introduce the director but main importantly thank the Board of Education for their continued support to the extracurricular activities. During shadowing, I was also able to observe a classroom teacher and conduct an observation. The principal
Every minute of each day is filled with meetings, teacher observations, professional development and other events. While not all principals may get a secretary, it is still valuable to develop a schedule that utilizes time. Having a schedule that is shared with the secretaries allows them to know where the principal may be at all times. I also got to look at the backend of emergency drills. The principal’s secretary emails out to all staff that there is a drill. Sometimes I was told that a red sign in posted on the main doors in case a parent was to walk in. This year, the principal also utilizes the cameras to ensure there are no people in the halls. The principal also had decided to make all drill unannounced, this way everyone gets better practice. During drills, the principals must read and abide by the emergency procedures that are in