The principal shortage that began more than a decade ago has increased significantly as fewer people enter the profession and more leave for other opportunities or retirement. This lack of a principal pipeline will have long-term and significant impact on schools across the country.
A recent Wallace Foundation report, indicated the reach of an effective principal has a significant positive influence on student achievement and attendance, teacher satisfaction, and teacher retention. Their value is further highlighted by the Learning Policy Institute report indicating principal turnover leads to disruption and additional teacher turnover - both of which are detrimental to students. When good principals leave, districts must devote significant time and money to replace them - resources that may previously have been allocated for students. Principal retention, therefore, is essential to student and school success.
The most recent national study of public school principals uncovered several concerning statistics including the following:
Presently, the rate for principal turnover is 18% BUT a whopping 1 out of 2 school leaders indicated their stress level is so high they are considering a career change or retirement.
35% of principals have been at their schools for less than two years.
Only 11% of principals have been at their school for 10 years or more.
40% of principals said they intend to leave their jobs in the next three years.
WOW! I don’t know about you, but those statistics were shocking to me. I understood the principal pipeline has been dwindling for many years, but I did not realize how dire the situation had become. I know first-hand the impact of an effective principal on the total school environment and it is concerning this is the current state. The good news, however, is that there are things we can do to retain good leaders.
How Coaching Supports Principal Retention
We must clearly address leadership turnover if we are to continue to provide an exceptional educational experience for our students. One proven way to reduce principal turnover is to ensure access to job-embedded professional learning, mentoring, and coaching that continues to support and develop principals’ knowledge and skills.
Principal coaching is a research-based professional learning opportunity that provides principals with personalized support and guidance as they navigate the challenges of their roles. Coaches typically work with leaders to identify areas for growth, set goals, develop strategies for achieving those goals, and strengthen reflective practice. With this targeted support, leaders build their confidence and efficacy, both of which correlate with job satisfaction and retention.
In addition to skill-building, some leaders also need support in regulating emotions and managing workload. In the high-pressure, post-pandemic world of education, many school leaders find themselves overwhelmed with the responsibilities of managing a school, supervising staff, and meeting the social-emotional needs of staff and students. It's no wonder that burnout and stress ranked high on the list of reasons why principals are considering leaving their jobs.
Coaching supports principals as they develop the skills they need to lead teams effectively. This includes support in clear communication, culture, and decision-making. By working with a coach, principals learn new techniques and approaches to leadership that can help them improve their teams' performance and create a more positive school culture. This in turn can help reduce teacher turnover and overall teacher job satisfaction too.
See below for some additional ways coaching supports school leaders.
Provides a Safe Space to Talk
School leaders often feel isolated in their roles and may not have anyone to turn to when they are feeling overwhelmed. A coach provides a safe and confidential space for principals to discuss concerns and reflect on their challenges and successes. This can help principals release pent-up emotions and gain clarity about their situation, leading to a reduction in stress. Once a coach is able to understand the pain points, he/she/they can then co-create an action plan for moving forward.
Develops Resilience
Resilience enables leaders to confront difficult situations and manage changes without becoming overwhelmed. Now, more than ever, these are essential skills. Resilience provides the wherewithal to persist in the face of adversity and adapt to swiftly changing situations. It is important to note that resilience is a learned skill and not something that is innate; everyone can learn how to strengthen their resiliency.
Coaches help principals develop resilience by providing strategies for managing stress and building a positive mindset. Coaches also engage leaders in reflective practice which strengthens resilience by developing insight into current strengths and skills. By developing resilience, principals can better manage the inevitable challenges that come with leading a school and enhance their well-being.
Builds A Continuous Improvement Mindset
Coaching helps schools create a culture of continuous improvement. By setting goals and regularly reviewing progress, schools can identify areas where they need to improve and develop strategies to address them. This can help create a more positive and supportive environment for principals and other school leaders, which may also lead to higher retention rates.
Helps Principals Prioritize Self-Care
Principals often put the needs of others ahead of their own, which can lead to burnout and stress. A principal coach can help prioritize self-care by encouraging leaders to take breaks, exercise, and engage in activities that bring them joy. By taking care of themselves, principals are better able to be effective in both their jobs and happier in their home life.
Provides Tools for Time Management
The sheer number of tasks school leaders must manage each day can become overwhelming to even a seasoned professional. Coaches provide tools and strategies for effective time management and delegation, allowing principals to prioritize their most critical responsibilities and delegate the rest. This can help reduce the workload and the associated stress.
Principal coaching is an effective way to address the stress and burnout that many school leaders experience. Through time management strategies, team-building skills, decision-making skills, and resilience training, coaches support principals to create a more sustainable work-life balance and well-being while managing the success of their school community. If you're a principal struggling with burnout and stress, consider reaching out to a coach to see how they can support you on your leadership journey.
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