Backtalk: Preparing effective principal supervisors

Abstract

In recent years, principals have been required to expand their area of responsibility beyond building management to take on more instructional leadership roles. As the role of the principal has changed, so too must the role of the principal supervisor. Rebecca Thessin and Karen Seashore Louis share three recommendations for district leaders hoping to improve principal supervision. First, they must encourage supervisors to develop strong relationships with the principals they supervise and coach. Second, they must try to avoid reorganizations that will require principals to develop new relationships with supervisors each year. Third, they must make it a priority to support supervisors’ own learning.