III. EXPLORING POSITIONS
Description: A principal manages a public or private school overseeing the day-to-day management of the educational activities by monitoring students' educational progress, staffing and motivating teachers and other personnel, managing guidance and other student services, prepare budgets and handle relations with families, students and the community. The job usually requires experience in a related occupation such as a teacher or a counselor, or another educational administrative position.
Employment Settings: Principals are employed in either a public or a private school setting.
Public School (see Section II, Setting E)
Private School (See Section II, Setting D)
Qualifications: New York State requires certification for all public school administrators/supervisors. Provisional certification requires a Bachelor's Degree in education or education administration or supervision, eighteen hours of graduate study in school administration, 12 additional graduate credits, an approved administrative/supervisory internship under a practicing school administrator, and three years of teaching, administrative/supervisory, and /or pupil personnel experience. Permanent certification requires satisfaction of all the requirements of provisional certification plus a Master's Degree and two years experience in an administrative/supervisory position. There is no provisional certification for school district administrator. Permanent certification requires a Master's Degree 24 graduate hours of graduate study in school administration, 36 additional graduate credits, an approved administrative/supervisory internship under a practicing school administrator, and three years of teaching, administrative/supervisory and /or pupil personnel experience. All persons holding these positions must be cleared through the NYS Central Registry of Child Abuse and fingerprints submitted to required authorities.
Master's or Doctoral Degree in education or education administration or supervision.
Preparation: See Certified Teacher (Position 4)
Continuing Education: NYS certified teachers have a mandatory requirement to complete 175 clock hours of acceptable professional development within every five years of classroom teaching service.
Opportunity for Advancement: A principal may advance into a district level administrative position such as superintendent or supervisor of instructional services at a higher salary with increased responsibility. This experience can be used to move into higher education positions (faculty or administration).
Related Careers:
Serving Children Directly – Teacher
Serving Families Directly – Family advocate
Providing Information Goods and Services – Consultant, vendor of educational equipment and services, staff program development consultant, trainer, public policy advocate, lecturer, writer/publisher.