Running Head: FIELD EXPERIENCE B: PRINCIPAL INTERVIEW 1

Field Experience B: Principal Interview

Donna Meda

Grand Canyon University: EAD 505

August 12th, 2020

Running Head: FIELD EXPERIENCE B: PRINCIPAL INTERVIEW 2

Field Experience B: Principal Interview

Interviewing my administrators gave me significant insight about what it is to become a

principal. It’s not only the preparation that it takes to become a principal that is important, but

the duties a principal is responsible for when on the job. I started the interview by asking my

principal and vice principal about what inspired them to become school leaders. My vice

principal was inspired because he wanted to continue to make a difference, while my principal’s

response was that because she had “not wonderful leaders” (D. Hofmeier, personal

communication, 8/10/2020), she believed a principal should’ve been a teacher prior to becoming

a principal. Understanding this drove her to study to become one. My principals believe in

servant leadership styles, and they lead by example. Everything they do is for the good of our

students. “STANDARD 2. ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL NORMS: Effective educational

leaders act ethically and according to professional norms to promote each student’s academic

success and well-being: Place children at the center of education and accept responsibility for

each student’s academic success and well-being” (NPBEA, 2015). My inspiration comes from

wanting to advocate for my teacher co-workers for the well-being of the kids.

I understand now that the most popular way to become a school leader comes from taking

leadership roles and projects as a teacher for the school where you now work at and being

noticed by the leading department. At least, this is the way both of my principals got directed

towards earning their leadership positions. Once they became principals, they both had mentor

principals from high schools and attended several training sessions. They continued their

preparation through professional development opportunities and PLC’s for teachers. As a school

leader, I will make sure to lead by example and inspire my teachers into continuing their own
Running Head: FIELD EXPERIENCE B: PRINCIPAL INTERVIEW 3

education by receiving further training and aspire to grow in the field of education into an

administrative position.

One of the most interesting parts of this interview was asking my principals about how

they get notified about district, state, and federal laws/policies. I’d never thought about signing

up for any subscriptions or memberships for leaders, but now I know how important they are for

the developing and support of a principal. Both of my principals follow the Arizona Department

of Education blogs for state and federal laws and my principal is part of the ASCD to find out

about popular, updated trends and changes. Furthermore, the questions regarding the laws

interested me more than any other because while working as a teacher, I hear and I’m told about

different situations going on in our school and I’d always wondered about how they were

handled by the principals. As a school leader, I will make sure my teachers stay up to date on the

laws and policies in place for the success of our school and well-being of our students.

“STANDARD 9. OPERATIONS AND MANAGEMENT: Effective educational leaders manage

school operations and resources to promote each student’s academic success and well-being:

Know, comply with, and help the school community understand local, state, and federal laws,

rights, policies, and regulations so as to promote student success” (NPBEA, 2015). The most

common legal dilemmas my principal faces as an administrator is having to meet ESS, IDEA,

and ELL requirements while my vice principal mentioned FERPA violations. Moreover, it was

surprising knowing about the number of parents that threaten to sue our school over injuries from

students. I remember a couple of years ago, we had an issue going on with our school yearbook.

Parents weren’t happy with what was published on a few pages and the calls during those last

couple of weeks of school seemed to never end. My principal had to stop the distributing of

yearbooks because the accusations were true. My principal skipped on revising the yearbook
Running Head: FIELD EXPERIENCE B: PRINCIPAL INTERVIEW 4

before it was sent to publish trusting that everything was perfect with it. Unfortunately, she had

to remove these faulted pages and send it to get republished and distributed to families during the

summer break. Principals face many dilemmas and disruptions as school leaders; therefore,

principals should always be updated on the laws and policies in place to be able to back up their

reasoning during different situations happening at school. As a school leader, one of my main

goals will be to ensure that my teachers and our students face the least disruptions possible.

“STANDARD 9. OPERATIONS AND MANAGEMENT: Effective educational leaders manage

school operations and resources to promote each student’s academic success and well-being:

Protect teachers’ and other staff members’ work and learning from disruption” (NPBEA, 2015).

My principals keep constant communication with all our staff members by sending

weekly newsletters and hosting online meetings. Not everything is shared during these meetings,

but the important information that teachers should know about to successfully follow our

school’s vision and mission statements. To share important news and upcoming dates with

parents and guardians, my principal carefully creates weekly newsletters and sends them via

email. During the time that was left of my field experience, I was able to join my principal on her

Zoom meeting with the Kindergarten-2nd grade parents of online students. It was fascinating to

see how video chats have enriched my principal’s way of communicating with parents during

these difficult times. As a school leader, I plan on keeping weekly newsletters and video chats,

too. Nowadays, social media is essential, so I’ll make sure to communicate to all stakeholders

through social media sources.

My principals reassured me to expect many bumps and obstacles while leading a school,

but to hang on. It is important to understand that mistakes will happen. The best way to resolve

them is to accept what is happening and to stay positive throughout the way even if the mistakes
Running Head: FIELD EXPERIENCE B: PRINCIPAL INTERVIEW 5

are your own as a school leader. “I have made a few mistakes, but when that happens, I just say

sorry, let’s back up, and try again” (D. Hofmeier, personal communication, 8/10/2020). They

suggested for me to accept the help of a partner, in most cases, the help and input of a vice

principal. Sometimes, it takes more than partners to bring a school to success. It might take a

whole village, but whatever it takes, always accept the help to successfully fulfill tasks and

achieve accomplishments according to our school’s vision and mission statements.

Running Head: FIELD EXPERIENCE B: PRINCIPAL INTERVIEW 6

Reference:

National Policy Board for Educational Administration (2015). Professional Standards for Educational

Leaders 2015. Reston, VA: Author.