Education World's Principal Files articles focus on the important and practical elements of the school administrator's job. Our P-Files contributors include school principals from around the world who voluntarily share their ideas about issues that all school leaders face.
Would you like to add your name to the group of principals who are willing
to respond to an occasional e-mail? (You'll need to have an e-mail address
at which you can be reached.)
WHAT OBLIGATIONS COME WITH JOINING THE LIST?
From time to time in the months ahead, I might send you an e-mail message
inviting you to respond to a question about the "principal-ed life"! That
question will be to-the-point and require no more than a couple of sentences
in response.
What kinds of questions will I ask? They'll run the gamut. I might be looking to gather some random data:
Does your school have a written school bus discipline policy? Yes or no?
How many times each year are your students given standardized state or national tests? At what grade levels are those given?
At other times I might be looking for you to write a sentence or two describing some facet of your job.
What is the one factor you consider most important in hiring a new teacher?
What was the biggest challenge you faced on the job today?
If you are contacted, you decide whether you have something to say -- and whether you'll respond. There is no obligation to respond. You'll still be on the list and you'll probably receive another question from me in a month or two. That question might be one you choose to respond to.
What will I do with your responses? Sometimes I'll be looking for data only and won't give you any written credit for your response. Other times I'll quote your reply as part of an Education World story. (You'll always know in advance if you will be quoted in a story.)
Of course, I won't be able to use all replies I get to all questions, so responding to a question is no guarantee that you'll see your name in print!
In the body of the e-mail, please provide ONLY the following information:
Your Full Name:
Your School Name:
City, State of School:
Grade Levels in School:
Thanking you in advance for your willingness,
Gary Hopkins
Editor in Chief, Education World® ghopkins@educationworld.com
NOTE: If you've responded in the past, thank you for your
patience! I have your name and your e-mail address -- no need to respond
again. If you forget whether you've responded because -- egads! -- time
flies, feel free to e-mail me again.
I am looking for a few good principals!