The Empowered Principal

A school's vision statement shouldn't be pro forma. It should say what you're passionate about and what you commit to—for all students.

A new research study sheds light on the impact of effective principals—and what makes them different.

Dealing with conflict is part of a school leader's job. How well you handle it can make a big difference.

Examining your own racial history is an empowering exercise in antiracist leadership.

School leaders' resilience is best built as a collective effort.

Why aren't we guiding principals to be stewards of a crucial resource—teacher talent?

School leaders often neglect a key mechanism for empowerment: The school-improvement plan.

When school leaders use evidence-based tools for observations, they have greater potential to improve classroom practice.

Three critical actions that principals and their supervisors can take to strengthen instructional leadership.

Learning to process feedback wisely is essential to school improvement—and personal growth.

The times call for leaders who can navigate change and inspire others.

Having students "retell" a text is a powerful practice for virtual settings. Watch the video.

True empowerment comes from helping others tap the power in themselves.

A psychological theory on the power of endings offers lessons for educators, especially this year.

As the Biden administration sets policies and funding for education, lessons from the Obama era loom large.

Reader responses to recent issues of EL.

Readers debunk the great myths about school principals.

An interview with Richard Gordon, the 2021 NASSP National Principal of the Year, on avoiding burnout, giving hope to students living in poverty, and what it means to be an empowered principal.

Key takeaways from the 2020 study, "Held Down and Held Back: Systematically Delayed Principal Promotion by Race and Gender," in AERA Open.

A review of the 2020 book, What If I'm Wrong? And Other Key Questions for Decisive School Leadership by Simon Rodberg.