These School Principals Are Changing Their School Communities for the Better

October is National Principals Month! Meet a few amazing principals who are engaging with their school communities in meaningful (and memorable) ways.

by Kerri Beauchesne

10/04/2024

Here at PTO Today, we're all about supporting, celebrating, and cheering on the people who work hard to make their school communities amazing. In honor of National Principals Month, we wanted to highlight a few pretty incredible principals who have gone above and beyond to build positive relationships with students and teachers to create a stronger school community. Does your principal deserve a shoutout? Tag us on social and your school's principal might just end up in this article! 😊 (Psst: Get our full list of school appreciation days here!)

Principal Kewanis Kennedy (Dr. K)

Kaelah Beauregarde Flynn from Marshall Elementary PTO in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, tell us "Dr. K is such a fun and vibrant part of Marshall, and he’s always willing to support our PTO hijinks in an effort to boost morale and bring a sense of whimsy to our school." We have to say, from the looks of it, we think Marshall students probably agree!

Principals Stephanie Williams and Melody Lilley

Stephanie Williams, Principal at Lobit Elementary School, and Melody Lilley, Principal at Lobit Middle School, in Dickinson, Texas, were up for some fun when the Lobit PTO asked them to spend time after school taking school sleepover themed pictures around campus. They donned their jammies, read a bedtime story together, did their nighttime skincare routine in the school restroom (that ah-mazing fluorescent lighting, right?), and even caused some mischief in the music room and with some custodial equipment. Kacee Jackson from the Lobit PTO shares, "The next school day was a pajama day, and the kids, teachers, and parents loved seeing the pictures of the principals goofing off around the school. Our principals are such good sports...Mrs. Williams thought she was ACTUALLY spending the night at the school and was making childcare arrangements when we explained it was just pretend!"

Principal Keisha Sherman Hill

Principal Keisha Sherman Hill from Academy School District 20 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, wanted to lift her community up after the sudden loss of a student. She left thoughtful, handwritten notes for every teacher on their classroom whiteboards for students to read.

Principal Shane Rapp (aka Dr. Shane Thunder Rapp)

When you have a name like Rapp, well...Principal Shane Rapp at St. James Academy has made his namesake go down in history (and the 2024 yearbook) by bringing the high school rules to students with the flavor of the 90's. Singing the rules to the classic Oasis song, Wonderwall, his track breaks down student rules and reminders for High School 101, and yep, it's a real banger. 🤘

Principal Heather Sosnovsky

Principal Heather Sosnovsky from Hewlett Elementary School in Farmingdale, in New York, brings joy every day to her school community. From popping into a classroom for a surprise dance-off with students to bringing Sunny, her son's companion dog, to school during Autism Acceptance Month to teach students about service dogs, Principal Sosnovsky has created a community built on empathy, kindness, joy, and dancing! Check out her TikTok for more (and to see those moves!).

@sunnybunnybooboobanana #autismacceptance #caninecompanions #school #dance ♬ original sound - Heather Sosnovsky

Principal John Martinez

Step aside, Pokémon! Back in 2016, John Martinez, Principal at Mackenzie Middle School in Lubbock ISD, came up with the creative idea to make trading cards of his teachers (the real heroes of the school) and has been doing it annually ever since. Talk about building positive relationships and school spirit!

Principal Mo

Everyone knows that the car rider line at school pick up can be a stressful experience for parents and staff. Principal Mo knows how to lighten things up by dressing as a giant traffic cone to help out during dismissal. Now that's a good sport!

@principal_mo Why do yall line up so early??? Pro Tip: if you’re dressed ridiculously for dismissal the parents are nicer 😝. #principalsoftiktok #principalmo #admintok #principalsoffice #teachersoftiktok #principallife #educatorsoftiktok #dismissal #carriderline #costumes ♬ love island is messyyyy - quinta

Principal Laurie Harless

Fun, connection, and appreciation is behind every TikTok video that Principal Laurie Harless does. It's obvious that she's worked hard to build a positive, vibrant community for her PTO, teachers, students, and families at Dug Gap Elementary School in Dalton, Georgia. She's even been known to catch a few classroom critters for her teachers! (Check out her TikTok to see that one 🫢)

@auburn1997 All are necessities! #principalsoftiktok #teachersoftiktok #elementaryteachersrock #principallife #elementaryprincipal #thingsthatjustmakesense ♬ Che La Luna - Louis Prima

Principal Lamb

A principal for more than fifteen years at BASIS Baton Rouge Mattera Charter School in Louisiana, Principal Lamb went viral when he traded in his principal's office for a fully mobile cart on wheels. He believes administrators are in the business of “educator customer service", and that visibility increases his personal connection with educators and students (and builds trust). By actively supporting educators' needs, his teachers are able to do even more to support their students.

@principal_lamb
I’ve been a principal for over 15 years. The last two years, I’ve gone fully mobile. I repurposed my principal’s office into a multi-use conference room. Instead of being tied to an office, I move throughout my campus on a rolling cart. I believe administrators are in the business of “educator customer service.” Here are 5 reasons why I ditched the desk. What do you think of this strategy? Drop a comment and let me know! #principalsoftiktok #teachersoftiktok #mobileoffice
♬ bounce (i just wanna dance) - фрози & joyful

Principal Kelly Cousineau

Principal Kelly Cousineau regularly shares "day in the life of a middle school principal" videos on TikTok in which we get to see snippets from her wonderful world as the principal at Windy Hill Middle School in Clermont, Florida. Principal Kelly leads by example by creating a warm, kind, and welcoming school community for students and staff.

@homeonarborpointe 💕💫 A day in the life of a middle school principal! #teachersoftiktok #principalsoftiktok #principal ♬ original sound - Kelly

Principal Nicki Slaugh

Every year, Principal Nicki Slaugh (Quest Jr. High in West Haven, Utah) takes teachers off campus for a teacher retreat that's full of professional learning, bonding, and deep thinking to build culture and personalize professional development. She also adds fun to Friday faculty meetings by taking teachers off-site to a roller skating rink!

@principal.nickislaugh When I take Friday Faculty meeting to the rollerskating rink! @Neptuneskating2023 I love my team. #teambuilding #bonding #principalsoftiktok #principaltok #rollerskatersoftiktok #teachertok #facultymeeting #neon ♬ Tag Team Whoop (There It Is) - Acoisona & Dj Tripa

Principal Nick Holtvluwer (aka Mr. H)

Affectionately known as Mr. H around the halls of Mammoth Heights Elementary in Castle Rock, CO, Principal Nick Holtvluwer knows that cheering up a second grader with a dad joke can turn a bad day into a good one. His energy and sense of humor (ahem, dad jokes) create a positive, uplifting community for students and staff.