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After years in the classroom, some teachers want to move into leadership roles where they can have a broader impact on a school's culture and community. Shifting into administrative and supervisory roles involves ongoing education and development, with many school principal and educational leadership positions requiring candidates to have a master's degree.

Moving From Teaching to School Leadership Changes the Scope of Work

Teachers and school leaders both work tirelessly to support student success, but they do so at different levels. Classroom teachers focus primarily on providing direct instruction to a set of students in a particular grade, while school leaders help shape the larger learning environment.

Teachers Influence Learning at the Classroom Level

Using student-centered pedagogy and differentiated instruction, classroom teachers equip students with the academic and interpersonal skills needed to succeed. They focus on instruction, student support, and day-to-day learning outcomes, all while cultivating a positive culture within the classroom.

School Leaders Influence Teaching and Learning Across the Building

School principals are often described as instructional leaders, as they set the tone and culture for the entire building. In elementary, middle, and high school principal positions, leaders work at a broader level than classroom teachers. They guide school operations, provide staff support, and set instructional priorities.

What School Leaders Actually Do

The day-to-day responsibilities of those in education leadership positions differ from those of classroom teachers. Below are some primary job duties of school principals and other educational administrators:

Overseeing School Operations

With an emphasis on providing a safe and secure environment, school leaders manage daily operations within a school building. They set schedules and establish systems to improve operational efficiency and create an effective learning environment. In addition, they establish the policies and protocols that staff and students follow to maintain an orderly building.

Supervising and Supporting Staff

While classroom teachers provide direct support to their students, school principals encourage school personnel and guide them throughout the day. Through constructive feedback and ongoing communication, they establish professional expectations for staff.

Providing Instructional Oversight

School leaders are more than supervisors who oversee staff. They are also responsible for shaping instructional quality and setting academic priorities. In essence, school principals become instructional leaders who implement teaching practices designed to yield strong academic outcomes.

The Transition Requires New Skills Beyond Classroom Teaching

Moving out of the classroom and into leadership positions requires educators to focus on leadership preparation. A graduate education can help educators build upon their existing foundation and develop the core competencies needed for increased administrative and operational duties.

Leadership Means Working Through Other Educators

School leaders may not teach one group of students directly, but they can still influence outcomes inside each classroom. Principals and other leaders can shape school-wide success by supporting teacher development, setting instructional priorities, allocating resources, and creating conditions that help educators and students perform at their best.

Administration Requires Broader Organizational Thinking

While classroom management strategies and instructional techniques anchor classroom teaching, administration involves a broader approach. In leadership positions, educators need to use systems thinking to enable large-scale, evidence-based decision-making. For instance, administrators may analyze attendance trends, review assessment data, and evaluate resource allocation to identify challenges and implement strategies that support improvement across an entire school or district.

Instructional Leadership Is a Core Part of the Principal Role

Becoming a school principal means taking on the role of an instructional leader. Although administrative duties are part of the job, principals also need to prioritize instructional leadership to provide teachers with the right support.

School Leaders Help Shape Teaching Quality

Instructional leadership refers to the practice of shaping curricula and instructional approaches to create a culture of continuous learning. School leaders often work closely with teachers and district administrators to set and achieve school-wide learning goals.

Effective Leaders Understand Teaching From Both Practice and Perspective

The most effective school leaders are often those who have extensive experience teaching in the classroom and understand the unique perspective of teachers. Leaning on their own experience, they can guide other educators across different teaching contexts.

Staff Supervision and School Leadership Go Hand in Hand

Principals must balance day-to-day management responsibilities with the broader work of leading people. Rather than focusing solely on directing teachers and staff members, effective school leaders also support their professional growth, helping them strengthen their skills and reach their full potential as educators.

School Leaders Need Strong Communication Skills

Clear and consistent communication is essential in school principal roles, as leaders in this capacity often serve as the face of the community. Principals collaborate with teachers, staff, families, and other key stakeholders, requiring them to communicate in a way that builds trust and rapport.

Leadership Includes Support, Accountability, and Follow-Through

Principals should lead in a manner that supports continuous improvement across the school, ensuring that every classroom has the tools and resources needed for success. They often have to set expectations and provide constructive feedback, creating a culture of accountability and transparency within the building.

School Leadership Also Means Managing Change

School leaders need to be familiar with the leading change management strategies for schools so that they can help staff members navigate moments of uncertainty and times of transition.

Schools Are Constantly Adapting

Schools are living, breathing environments that are constantly adapting to the evolving needs of students. School leaders need to be agile and responsive as they identify those needs and accommodate shifting educational priorities and policies.

Leadership Requires Guiding Change Responsibly

Moving into leadership roles involves strategic preparation. Experienced educators have the strong foundation needed to become school principals, but they need to learn how to manage people and systems to implement school-wide improvements.

Why Some Educators Pursue Principal Certification

Some educators find deep fulfillment in spending their entire careers in the classroom. Others discover that they are drawn to leadership roles, where they can support teachers, guide improvement efforts, and help shape the direction of their schools. Here are some reasons educators may be drawn to leadership:

To Move Into Building-Level Leadership

Some teachers reach a point in their careers when they want to contribute beyond their own classrooms. Leadership roles provide opportunities to guide school initiatives, support organizational goals, and help shape the overall educational experience for students and staff.

To Expand Their Impact Beyond Their Own Classroom

Many educators are motivated by the opportunity to support not only students but also fellow teachers. As school leaders, they can mentor staff, promote effective instructional practices, and help create learning environments that support success across an entire school community.

How Neumann’s Leadership Curriculum Supports This Transition

Neumann University's online Master of Science in Education with Principal Certification track directly supports the transition from classroom teaching to administration. This program prepares students to become instructional leaders in school buildings, with many graduates showing interest in principal roles.

A Program Designed for Certified Teachers Who Want to Become Principals

This industry-aligned program is designed specifically for certified educators who want to pursue school principal positions. It builds upon the foundation that classroom teachers have established throughout their careers, requiring at least 3 years of relevant professional experience.

A Curriculum Focused on Leadership, Instruction, and Practice

To prepare graduates for administrative roles that extend beyond task-based management alone, the curriculum helps teachers transform into instructional leaders. Throughout their coursework, students will analyze pedagogical theory and learn to apply it to teaching practices. They graduate from the program with the ability to intentionally use assessment, diversity, technique, and technology within contemporary education.

A Program Connected to Principal Preparation in Pennsylvania

The PK-12 Administrative 1 (Principal) Certification prepares professionals to serve as principals in Pennsylvania and supervise educational activities at the school level.

Earn Your Master's Degree in Education Online at Neumann

Neumann University's Master of Science in Education with PK-12 Administrative 1 (Principal) Certification strategically prepares graduates for school principal positions. The values-based curriculum emphasizes ethical leadership while equipping educators with the skills needed to integrate assessment, diversity, and technology into educational settings.

Request more information about our master's degree in education online, and apply to Neumann University today.