Speed Read (tldr): Building Relationships as a First-Year Principal
Build Relationships: Successful leadership begins with forging strong relationships across the school community, from teachers and staff to students and their families. Engage in personal interactions, like one-on-one meetings and shared meals, to build trust and understanding.
Personal and Professional Balance: Emphasize self-care and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Acknowledge your achievements and those of your community, reflecting on experiences to foster personal and professional growth.
Community Engagement: Extend relationship-building efforts beyond the school by connecting with local community members and businesses. This integration helps create a supportive network and positions the school as a community hub.
Read below for resources, tips, and the why!
Congratulations! You earned your first principalship. Your commitment to teaching and learning and student success has provided you with an amazing opportunity to do great things for students. First-year principals can also face challenges. You may be following in the footsteps of a treasured leader who has been at the school for decades. Or, you may be replacing someone who struggled or with whom staff or families butted heads. Regardless, for goal-oriented doers who are in a new role, it can be tempting to immediately start down the path of making changes instead of what matters most in the long run: building relationships.
Cate Reed, seasoned administrator, current Senior Vice President of Teach For America, and Possip Reporter, gives advice for relationship-building and encouragement to first year principals.
Consider instead focusing your efforts on connecting with all kinds of people so you have the grace and goodwill to try out new things over time. Being creative and leaning into your gifts and interests can pave the way for long-term success! When you have strong relationships with the people that you spend every day with, you enjoy your work even more!
Think through all the people with whom you will spend your time. Determine how you can learn more about them and share more about yourself. Here are some tips for making the most of the first moments in a new principal job through genuine relationship-building:
Jump To...
Build Relationships With Teachers
It’s critical to build relationships with teachers to promote collaboration, foster a sense of community, and create a supportive work environment. Strong relationships with teachers also enhance communication, trust, and ultimately contribute to improved teaching practices and student outcomes.
Tips:
- Set up one one-on-one meetings with as many teachers as you can and set the expectation that the meetings are to truly get to know one another. Ask them about themselves, their interests, hobbies, and what brought them to teaching. Share your own story and commit to finding one thing in common with each teacher you meet.
- Create a public calendar so people can sign up on their own time, and so they can see that you truly are opening your door to everyone. This gives everyone a window into how you spend your time, and you want to meet and learn from the people on the front lines in classrooms.
Build Relationships With Non-Teaching Staff
Building relationships with other staff members acknowledges their contributions, fosters a positive work environment, and promotes overall morale. Strong relationships with support staff also ensure smooth operations, effective communication, and a cohesive school community focused on student success. Spend time with other staff members, including bus drivers, custodians, front desk, and cafeteria staff.
Tips:
- Ride the bus one day, or serve up lunch alongside the staff– and make it a regular thing.
- Offering to answer the phones for 30 minutes in the morning each month will keep families and staff on their toes!
Build Relationships With Students
Building relationships with students fosters trust, creates a supportive environment, and enhances students’ overall educational experience, leading to better academic and social outcomes. Additionally, strong relationships enable principals to understand students’ needs, address concerns effectively, and promote a positive school culture.
Tips:
- Greet students at the door each day; a smile and a handshake can be all a kid needs to get their day off on the right foot.
- Commit to having breakfast or lunch in the cafeteria at least once a week, talking with and learning from them about what they love about the school and what they wish was different.
Build Relationships With Families
Families are the most important adults in the lives of your students. Getting to know them and learning about their priorities can give you a step up in managing the day-to-day student interactions. Families can give you insight into student relationships.
Tips:
- Host a meet and greet with families once a month with coffee and bagels. Invite families to come and just talk with you and each other about whatever they are thinking about. Try to keep these sessions light and grounded in relationship-building vs. problem-solving.
- One-on-one meetings with every family may not be reasonable, but you can plan to attend a handful of athletic practices or games in your first month and make it a point to introduce yourself to at least ten family members. Take advantage of this strategy at your Back to School or family-centered Meet the Teacher Night!
Community Relationship-Building
Schools are often the hub of a community. Local merchants or leaders may have attended the school where you work, and likely care about the success of the students there. They can offer great insight into how things have gone in the past, and what the community needs, so spending time to get to know them benefits everyone.
Tips:
- Check out the local dry cleaners, diners, and banks, and make it a point to use those places in your own life. It can send a signal that you see this community as your community, and ensure that when you are looking for partnerships or people to lean on within your larger community, you will have allies.
- Consider hosting an open house for community members to come inside and see your school. It can help clear up any misconceptions they might hold, or generate ideas about how you might be able to partner over time.
Remember Yourself and Your Loved Ones
Prioritize self-care and well-being. Balancing the demands of your job with your personal life can build long-term success and sustainability. Take time to acknowledge and celebrate achievements, both big and small, within your school community. Continuously reflect on your experiences, learn from mistakes, and seek opportunities for growth.
Building these relationships, while taking care of yourself, helps build trust: the foundation of a successful tenure as a school leader. You’ve got this!
