The role of school principals has changed in recent years. Principals are now expected to take on new responsibilities that go beyond the traditional role. Being a principal today means managing many areas of the school, ensuring both students and staff thrive. To meet these demands, principals must engage in regular professional development to stay current with new trends.
Graduates of Avila University’s Master of Arts in Education (MAEd) in Building Principal – K-12 online program learn the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the role of principal. However, while this degree provides a strong foundation in leadership development, professional growth should not stop at graduation. Principals must continually seek opportunities to learn and expand their skills throughout their careers to meet the evolving demands of their role. They need ongoing professional learning that directly applies to their day-to-day responsibilities.
Leadership Development for Principals
Leadership development is an important area of professional growth for school principals. Principals must lead teams, make data-driven decisions and inspire a vision for educational success.
According to the AASA Journal of Scholarship and Practice, “The principalship has evolved in the last two decades, in so much that principals must fulfill multiple roles: building manager, instructional leader, and change agent.” These changes have put pressure on principals to develop leadership qualities that impact all areas of school management including student success, staff development, balancing budgets and structural and curriculum management.
The Professional Development of School Principals
There are many professional development (PD) programs out there, but not all meet the expanded needs of today’s principals. According to Education Week, more and more principals are looking for development opportunities that are more relevant and detailed than the ones currently available. Professional development programs often lack depth, providing only surface-level knowledge about a wide range of topics.
The PD opportunities currently available are typically one-time workshops or general training sessions that don’t address specific challenges school leaders face. Instructional leadership, a key responsibility of principals, is frequently underrepresented in these programs. This leaves principals without the in-depth knowledge necessary to address the challenges of their roles, especially when related to new responsibilities.
Professional development programs should address the specific challenges principals face in their schools. This might include training in instructional methods, fostering positive school culture and implementing data-driven strategies.
Principal Professional Development Opportunities
In order for PD programs to be more impactful, they should offer longer-term and relevant learning opportunities. Programs that offer more personalized learning plans allow principals to focus on areas that directly impact their schools. This means focusing on practical skills like instructional improvement, crisis management and strategies for fostering a positive and inclusive school environment.
Professional development should also be collaborative. Peer-to-peer learning, where principals can share experiences and learn from one another, creates a valuable support network that fosters collective growth. One way to build this collaborative approach is through professional learning communities (PLCs) or mentorship programs, allowing principals to continuously refine their skills through shared knowledge and experience.
What Do Principals Do: The Next Step in Development
Becoming an effective principal doesn’t end with earning a degree. The online MAEd in Building Principal – K-12 program equips graduates with the knowledge and skills to navigate the many challenges of a principalship, but principals must seek out ongoing professional development throughout their careers. To excel in their roles, principals must continuously reflect on their performance and look for learning opportunities that address their current needs, whether enhancing instructional leadership skills or keeping up with the latest educational policies and technologies.
By participating in leadership professional learning, attending industry conferences and engaging in mentorship programs, principals can build on the strong foundation provided by Avila University’s online program. A proactive approach to professional development helps principals retain their skills and continue to learn and adapt as their roles evolve.
Learn more about Avila University’s online MAEd in Building Principal – K-12 program.
