New Administrator Resources


Surviving Your First Principalship

Get to know the staff prior to evaluations and walkthroughs. It is necessary to build trust with your staff and for them to know that you care about them personally. The concept of trust ensures the feeling that you can rely on the other person and that can improve school climate. 

Some ways to build trust in your school

  • Communicate with the staff at least weekly with updates and important information.
  • Be visible- work through each classroom several times a week 
  • Create team building activities to start staff meetings and professional days
  • Give your staff surveys and ways to share their ideas or feedback                                                              

Get to Know Your Staff Survey 

Principal Memo Template 

 Barriers that can impact building trust with staff

  • Decision making that doesn't include other stakeholders and seems like the best interests of the school are not considered
  • Ineffective communication 
  • Lack of follow through with items of consideration
  • Frequent change of administration  



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