December
Your beginning teachers are reflecting on their first semester and setting small, targeted goals for the spring. Mentors are helping them identify where to reset and reestablish expectations. For you as principal, December is the time to step back, reflect, and strategically plan your second semester.
Start with a personal reflection—what’s working in your schedule, what’s draining your energy, and where can you delegate or adjust? Then reflect on your school systems and data: student achievement, behavior trends, morale, and progress toward goals. Identify one or two priority focus areas for January. Before leaving for break, encourage teachers to declutter their classrooms and prepare to revisit routines and expectations with students in January. Survey staff, students, and families for feedback so your second semester begins with both data and buy-in.
Action Step Prompt:
Choose one focus area for the second semester and outline three actionable steps to begin in January.
Make sure you check out your access to The Principal Academy resources and supports!