How to become an elementary school principal

Is becoming an elementary school principal right for me?

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Overview
What do elementary school principals do?

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How to become an Elementary School Principal

Becoming an elementary school principal typically involves a combination of education, experience, and development of leadership skills. Here’s an overview of the pathway to the career:

Bachelor’s Degree in Education
The road to becoming an elementary school principal starts with earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Elementary Education, or a related field. This undergraduate degree equips students with the foundational knowledge related to teaching, child development, curriculum design, and classroom management.

Teacher Preparation Program
As part of a bachelor's degree, you must complete a state-approved teacher preparation program. This includes both coursework and supervised teaching experience.

State Certification / Licensing
After completing a bachelor's degree and teacher preparation program, you must obtain state certification (in the US) or equivalent in your country. Certification requirements vary by state, but typically include passing standardized exams (e.g., the Praxis Elementary Education Tests in the US).

Gain Teaching Experience
Most elementary school principals start their careers as classroom teachers. Generally, they accumulate several years of teaching experience (usually three to five years or more), which helps them develop an understanding of the classroom environment, student needs, and educational practices.

Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership
Most states and provinces require an advanced degree for individuals pursuing a career as a principal. A Master’s in Educational Administration is typically required. This graduate program provides essential knowledge and skills in the areas of school management, leadership strategies, curriculum development, and educational law.

Principal Certification or Licensure
In addition to a master’s degree, aspiring principals often need to earn a principal/school administrator certification or licensure, depending on the region. This may involve completing a state-approved certification program, gaining supervised leadership experience, and passing an exam that tests knowledge in areas like educational law and school management.

Gain Administrative Experience
After acquiring a teaching background and completing advanced education, aspiring principals often take on administrative roles such as assistant principal or instructional coordinator. This experience helps develop skills in managing school operations, handling discipline, and working with staff and students in a leadership capacity.

Continue Professional Development
Even after becoming a principal, ongoing professional development is important. Attend conferences, seminars, and workshops to stay current with educational trends, policies, and practices, and gain new insights into handling complex school issues. In many regions principals are required to earn continuing education credits to maintain their license.

Certifications
Elementary school principals can pursue several professional designations and certifications to advance their careers. These credentials validate their proficiency in school administration, instructional leadership, and educational management:

  • National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) – Offered by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) – USA, this certification is a prestigious, voluntary credential that demonstrates advanced proficiency in educational leadership. It is designed for principals, assistant principals, and other school administrators. Focus areas include leadership, student learning, school improvement strategies, and instructional effectiveness.
  • International School Leadership (ISL) Certificate – This globally recognized credential is targeted at principals working in international or private schools. It is awarded to candidates who complete the ISL program, which focuses on global best practices in school leaderships. The program is comprised of six modules: Leadership for School Improvement, Characteristics of Effective Schools and Systems, Building Relationships and Developing People, Setting Goals and Expectations Using Data-Informed Decision Making, Leading Improvement in Classroom Instruction, Instructional Leadership Project Plan - The application of theory to practice.
  • Instructional Leader Certification Program – Offered by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), this certification focuses on technology integration in education, making it ideal for principals leading tech-focused initiatives. The ISTE is comprised of five key areas: Enhancing Student Learning Experiences, Leveraging Data-driven Decision Making, Advancing Curriculum Development, Improving Teaching Quality, Innovation and Change Management.

Professional Organizations
In addition to the certifying bodies referenced above in the Certifications section, the following organizations also support the educational leadership community:

  • National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) – NAESP is a professional organization serving elementary and middle school principals and other education leaders throughout the US, Canada, and overseas. It provides advocacy, training and professional development resources, and networking opportunities.
  • AASA-The School Superintendents Association – AASA (formerly the American Association of School Administrators) develops and supports school system leaders through the national exchange of ideas; access to professional learning, publications, and resources; and opportunities to champion initiatives to help transform the future of public education.
  • National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) – Though the NASSP primarily serves secondary school leaders, it offers resources, support, and leadership development programs relevant to elementary and middle school principals. NASSP also awards the National Principal of the Year recognition.
  • Canadian Association of Principals (CAP) – This national organization for school principals in Canada advocates for issues related to educational leadership and student success.