Three educational leaders in Maryland took center stage at a forum on developing and empowering school principals.
The Superintendents Panel Discussion, held Monday evening at the Tremont Grand Historic Venue in downtown Baltimore and sponsored by New Leaders for New Schools, was part of a professional development initiative taking place this week for 103 new principals.
NLNS Executive Director George Schmur, who introduced the panelists, described Baltimore City Public Schools CEO Andres Alonso, State Schools Superintendent Nancy Grasmick and John Deasy, superintendent of Prince George?s County Public Schools, as standouts among “leaders, practitioners and reformers” of modern education.
Deasy, who heads Maryland?s second-largest school district, said principals have to have an unwavering belief that students can achieve at high levels. “However, great principals are often on the verge of subordination because the system can?t move fast enough,” he said, adding that the job as principal generally transforms itself at a faster pace than the system in which they?re hired.
Grasmick said principals are the greatest influence in their schools.
One of the biggest problems in retaining principals, she said, relates to the retention of teachers as well.
“For principals there are high expectations — no excuses ? and they?re constantly seeking resources for their schools and students,” Grasmick said. “There is no other position in the hierarchy of education that is being transformed like the position of the principal. They?re the person who comes to that position with a passion for the success of students.”
But she said passion isn?t enough.
“That person must not only serve as the magnet for the teachers and staff, but for the students and community at-large,” Grasmick said.
In addressing systemic constraints, Alonso said school systems must create conditions where there is autonomy for everyone.
“If someone is constantly telling you what to do, how can you hold yourself accountable for the results?” he asked.
Alonso said he adhered to the notion of principals as rule breakers.
“It can?t be about [keeping up with the rules] but pushing them through for the benefit of student achievement,” he said.
He alluded to a recent study that found some teachers and principals have pushed away external frameworks for the sake of student achievement.
However, Alonso said, “for any scale of effectiveness” the principal is key. He said team building can?t be about just one person but must involve an entire community.
“Good principals have great common sense. A principal makes a thousand decisions a day that impact children,” Alonso said. “If he has common sense and a belief in children, [the principals] can have autonomy.”
