Posted by Spokane Public Schools on 5/1/2024
The principal’s office is often the last place you’ll find one.
Instead of sitting behind a desk dispensing discipline, you’re more likely to see a principal out supervising recess, problem-solving with a family, or helping a student process heartbreak.
For Principal Appreciation Day (May 1), we reached out to three of our 57 school principals – one at each level – to get a sense of what their work entails these days.
It’s a big, complicated role that requires a knack for relationship building, resource management, campus safety, and much more – usually all at once.
“I always say my number one job is to ‘make it work,’” said Ferris High School principal John O’Dell. “That means if something isn’t going right, it is my job to help surface solutions and get things going smoothly again.”
Flett Middle School principal Matthew Henshaw said the complexity of his position has increased in relation to the broader role schools play in the community.
“More services, activities, and supports are provided within our neighborhood schools than ever before,” he said. “The principal’s role then is to help coordinate these many varied supports to ensure they are cohesive and support the larger mission of the school.”
In addition to managing how her building operates each day, Ridgeview Elementary School principal Lara Nybo is focused on fostering a positive place for learning. That requires getting to know each of Ridgeview’s roughly 300 students, and their families, by being visible and accessible each day.
“This allows me to get a pulse on things,” she said. “When I can be out at recess with my students, not only do I get to learn and know my students outside of the classrooms, but I’m more able to mitigate conflict and support students with social situations and monitor safety.”
A lot is expected of principals, but even on challenging days they are consistently reminded of the rewards of their positions.
“The thing I love most about my job is working with teachers and students,” said Mr. O’Dell. “Teachers are smart, passionate, and motivated people. As a principal I get to help support them by making life-changing contributions to our students’ lives. The students make everything more fun. They bring passion, excitement, and are always growing. It is a lot of work and takes a lot of time, but I get to be part of so many amazing moments.”
Dr. Henshaw also finds gratification in how the role allows him to support everyone in his community in multiple ways.
“We work with students, families, the community, and other schools,” he said. “We’re responsible for the instructional program as well as managing operations including facilities, budgets, and staffing. The opportunity to have an impactful one-on-conversation with a student and collaborate with a community partner to hold an event, on the same day, is one of the things I find rewarding.”
Ms. Nybo said being a principal is unlike any job she’s experienced before.
“Of course, like any job, there are ups and downs, positive and negatives,” she said. “But at the end of the day, it comes down to the kids and there is truly no greater reward than making a positive impact in the life of a child. The growth and impact I’ve been able to see these past couple years has been incredibly rewarding.”
