Assistant Principal Job Description - Salary, Education and Career Guide for Becoming an Assistant Principal

Quality education early in a child's life has proven to lay the groundwork for future success. An assistant principal can be a big part of that success while pursuing a challenging and rewarding career.
 
Assistant principals in the K-12 grades are the backbone of education administration. They are a little bit of everything - teachers, disciplinarians, supervisors - and are often the most visible figures in administration.

Job Description

An assistant principal's duties are numerous and vary between regions and school districts. Basic duties include:
  • Aiding the principal in overall administration: Assistant principals schedule classes; order textbooks and supplies; and coordinate transportation, custodial, cafeteria and other support services.
  • Charting the course of education: Assistant principals now play a larger role than ever before in ensuring students' academic success by assuming responsibilities previously handled by the principal. These include assisting with curriculum development, evaluating teachers and dealing with school-community relations.
  • Maintaining a visible presence of authority: Assistant principals usually handle problems with student discipline and attendance. They also oversee recreational programs and matters of health and safety. Assistant principals also may advise students on personal, educational or career issues.

Salary Guide

As with any profession, assistant principal salaries vary widely with experience and location. The average assistant principal salary as of May 2006 is:
  • Senior High School: $75,121
  • Junior High/Middle School: $73,020
  • Elementary School: $67,735
Salaries vary based on region. For instance, one recent assistant principal job opening in San Francisco offered $83,000, while another position in Madison, Conn., advertised $62,000 per year.

Education and Training

Most assistant principals begin their careers as teachers and advance from there. Assistant principals in U.S. public schools need a master's or doctorate degree in education administration or educational leadership. Some assistant principals in private schools hold only bachelor's degrees, but they are the exception rather than the norm.
 
While continuing education is important for anyone looking to become an education administrator, conduct at work is what really determines how far a candidate advances. Applicants for assistant principal jobs should have strong leadership skills, confidence, determination, creativity and motivation.

Prior Work Experience

Most assistant principals start out as teachers and then move into administration. Teachers thinking about advancing their careers should hone the skills that will make a transition to administration easier.
 
Sound skills in decision-making, leadership, organization and efficiency are essential. Because much of an assistant principal's job involves interacting with students, parents, teachers and the community, a person in such a position must have strong interpersonal skills and be an effective communicator and motivator. They should also be familiar with computer technology.

Career Advancement

Some assistant principals use their position as a stepping-stone to the principal's office or similar positions in larger schools. Assistant principals may also advance to become superintendents of school systems or presidents of educational institutions.

Related Associations and Groups

Assistant principals have several associations available to help them in their careers, including:
  • National Association of Elementary School Principals
  • National Association of Secondary School Principals.
 
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