My Tip of the Week: Make Your Principal a Hero

If you have a great principal who supports your efforts, take every chance you get to let your whole school community know that. In your newsletter, at your events, even in personal conversations, publicize your principal's support and how much your group appreciates that support. It's well worth it.

by Tim Sullivan

02/07/2016

If y

you

you have a great principal who supports your efforts, take every chance you get to let your whole school community know that. In your newsletter, at your events, even in personal conversations, publicize your principal's support and how much your group appreciates that support. It's well worth it.

If you have a principal who often gets in your way or frustrates you, you'll actually do well to make him or her a hero as much as you can, too. It's the old "kill 'em with kindness" theory, and it works well here. If your principal comes to see your group as an asset or an ally, and -- perhaps especially -- if you share credit with the principal for your own victories, then cooperation and support will follow. This little bit of sweet talk can really work if the goal is to grow involvement and make your school thrive.

We have several articles on ptotoday.com about the care and feeding of principals:

Good luck!