We asked our Educators Rising students to tell us what qualities are most important in a school principal or other administrator.
They’re kind, and they listen
Hailey Calderon
I think the most important quality is kindness. Some principals are mean and don’t care to hear what the child has to say.
I had a principal who was very kind. He would hear both sides and give us a warning instead of just yelling. You can’t get through to a child by having them shush and be yelled at.
Hailey Calderon
12th grade
Lafayette County High School
Stamps, Arkansas
They’re patient and understanding
Milan Aranda
The most important quality in a school principal is to be patient and understanding. You have to be patient when working with students of any age. You also have to understand where they are coming from. Kids only act out for a reason.
When I was in elementary school, my principal knew I loved to collect rocks. She retired when I was in 2nd grade, and on her last day she gave me her rock collection. She told me she was proud of me and that I was a hard worker. It meant so much to me. I still have the rocks today.
Milan Aranda
Freshman
Northwest Missouri State University
Maryville, Missouri
They’re caring, understanding, and inspiring
Jacob Gill
As a student, it can be hard to understand what the administrators within our schools actually do. But in the midst of it all, some of the best administrators I know are caring and understanding. Being understanding could mean a lot of things, but to me it means to deeply connect with a person.
There are two administrators at my school who understand me and other students. Mr. Craig and Mrs. Swanson are some of the best administrators out there. There have been many times where I go in their office just to sit and talk. Most of the time they can comprehend what I am going through as an active leader in many clubs, because they too are big leaders in our school!
They also inspire me to do better. For example, if I was having a hard day in a class, they would assure me that the semester would be coming to a close real fast, and I should enjoy my senior year. Due to these comments, I decided to challenge myself to take on playing our school mascot, The Cardinal, this year.
Because of their generosity and kindness, I look forward to someday impacting students like they do every day.
Jacob Gill
12th grade
South Sioux City High School
South Sioux City, Nebraska
This article appears in the December 2023/January 2024 issue of Kappan, Vol. 105, No. 4, p. 70.
