We have talked a lot about teaching as a profession. Education does not fit perfectly into the parameters of a usual profession, but it does have a hierarchy. This hierarchy is responsible for keeping the whole system accountable. This is important for education because the profession is under constant scrutiny. Within this system, I would like to talk a bit about the role of the administrator. An administrator is a principal, superintendent, board member, etc. who work more on the legal side of things. They deal with things like hiring, contracts, salary, working conditions, and firing of teachers.
This weeks reading talked about the position of principals in schools and the effects of their method of leadership can have on a school. The difference between a manager and a leader, for example, can change how a school looks. The type of authority that the principal holds is another factor. Is the principle a traditional leader who gained power from the social position they hold from being principal? Do they have a legal/rational authority, enforcing rules and law within schools? Or do they have the charismatic authority that is naturally given to people with a personality and charisma that people want to follow? I am not saying that these three types of authority are exclusive either. In fact, I believe that the principal of my own high school had a combination of all three. She was always aware of the position she held, but at the same time made an effort to have positive relationships to all of the staff and students. She was always giving teachers feedback and advice. One thing I did not know, is that the principal does not do the hiring. They can suggest certain people and play a role in choosing who they think would fit well in their school, but the actual hiring is one by the school board.
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