Principal Insights
Ideas Into Actions That Make a Difference
“With a lot of professional development programs, there’s a lot of talk about making improvements and then they kind of get put away, like binders on a bookshelf. With this process, we’re in classrooms a lot, and we talk with teachers about how things can be better. Ideas come up – not necessarily from the principal but often from the teachers – and then get put into action in the classrooms. We’re seeing differences, and it’s very rewarding for principals and teachers alike.”
Doug McGraw | Assistant Principal
austin high school | austin, texas
Helping New Teachers Become Great Teachers
“One of the best things I’ve seen happen is in my work with brand new teachers. I have seen a first-year teacher of physics and chemistry, who knew her subject matter very well, turn around her classroom management problem 180 degrees by learning strategies to get and keep students’ attention. Now, they don’t talk when she’s talking. They listen to her. She’s writing clear objectives, and students know what they are supposed to be learning. My ability to support her in making improvements speeded her transition from student teaching to being a real teacher in a short time, and she will be an outstanding teacher. Had I not been able to help her make needed changes, the rest of this year would have been very difficult. Instead, she’s doing a great job, and even the kids have said how much they like her, and ‘she’s really a good teacher.’ I feel good about that.”
Sharyl Davis | Assistant Principal
austin independent school district | austin, texas