April 29, 2024 – Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools is recognizing Assistant Principals Month this April, turning the spotlight on some of the most flexible and dependable administrators the district has to offer.
In describing the job of an assistant principal, it might be easier to list the things they aren’t responsible for. They’re vital members of a school’s administration team, and they can be called on at any time to help with curriculum planning, professional development sessions, meeting organization, communication strategies, student discipline, and much more. A good assistant principal will likely have some kind of involvement in almost everything that happens on their campus.
“We keep a lot of balls up in the air,” said Lindsay Mikesell, Whitaker Elementary School’s assistant principal for the past 13 years. “You get to have a hand in a little bit of everything.”
Because their duties are so varied, assistant principals are among the most forward-facing members of their schools. They play an active role in setting the culture at their schools, building trust with students and their families and helping choose the programs and policies that guide day-to-day operations. If there’s an opportunity to improve things on campus, an assistant principal probably has the chance to elevate it.
“Part of the reason I chose this job is because there are no normal days,” said Malinda Kerns, the assistant principal at Kernersville Elementary School. Kerns has been working in education for the past 23 years and has taught at the elementary, middle, and high school levels in addition to her administrative work. “I like getting to do a little bit of everything.”
Relationship building is an indispensable skill for an assistant principal. They see a ton of people throughout the day and have the opportunity to be a “cheerleader” for everyone around them. Making good connections also allows them to learn more about what’s going on in the classroom, what’s working for students and what can be made better. Drawing on the expertise of the educators in their school makes them more effective leaders.
“I got to have teachers who were still mentors to me,” said Hall-Woodward Elementary School Assistant Principal Larae Smith. Smith has been at Hall-Woodward for three years as an assistant principal, but counting her time as a WS/FCS student, she’s been with the district for practically her whole life. “The relationships you build can go a long way towards your success.”
Those relationships also give assistant principals the most important ability an educator can have. By being accommodating, organized, committed, and always interested in student success, they can create the right environment to make as many students as possible excited to go to school.
“If we’re not making sure that everyone is happy to be at school, then we need to do something different,” Kerns said. “I want everybody to love school just as much as I did.”