Elementary And Secondary School Administrators: Schools and Careers

Job Popularity in Metro Areas for Elementary And Secondary School Administrators

The map below shows some metro areas where the profession is more popular, compared to the size of the population, than in the rest of the country. A table below the map shows job popularity and salaries across the US.

(Also see our complete career descriptions list.)

Metro Areas Rated for Popularity (as of 2007) for:
Elementary And Secondary School Administrators

Listed below are metro areas ranked by the popularity of jobs for Elementary And Secondary School Administrators relative to the population of the city, as of 2007.

Clicking on each city's name takes you to a detailed career profile for that city, providing the number of jobs, salaries, amount of training required, and more, for hundreds of job types.

Job Profiles for Elementary And Secondary School Administrators

The inside stories from people actually working in the field.
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• Assistant Principal In Special Education

  Job Title: Assistant Principal In Special Education

  Education: BA in Psychology Regis College •• Master's Special Education Marymount University

  Previous Experience: Teacher of special education students, Hearing impaired, Learning Disabled, Mild Mental Retardation, Autism, Emotional Disability

  Job Tasks: We are in the business of education, providing all students with a quality education in their base school, if possible. I supervise 50 special educaiton teachers, 25 instructional assistants and the legal guidelines for 550 special education students in grades 7 - 12. Included in my job, I provide in-services and materials for teachers and other staff members and stay abreast of new legal issues. I work with parents of our students. I coordinate the transitioning of students from elementary to middle school and from middle to high school. In the summer, I collaborate with the Director of Guidance to develop the Master Schedule.

  My job also includes working with other administrtors and relevant people in the county school system. Additionally, I supervise the Local Screening process, eligibility for special education criteria and other social services that may be needed by a student or family. During the course of a school year, I hire new staff, evaluate teachers and instructional assistants and collaborate on the evaluations of some general education teachers. The job is challenging, the days long and the time flies by. It's a GREAT job.

  Best and Worst Parts of the Job: There are two aspects to my job that give me pleasure. I enjoy working with teenagers. Most of our students are wonderful kids and provide positives to so many of us daily. The other aspect that I enjoy is planning and developing classes and settings that help any special education students learn and grow.

  The most difficult aspect is dealing with adults who behave in a way that sets a very bad example for students or who don't seem to understand that educators come to work because they care. There are a few parents who curse at us, or berate our intentions.

  Job Tips:
  1. Choose the profession because you love something about it. Do not choose it for the time off, summer, winter break.

  2. Know what age student with whom you most want to be.

  3. Think about a teacher or teachers that influenced you the most. Examine yourself and determine if you have the same qualities that those you admire had.

  Additional Thoughts: Education is a field of work in which you are willing to commit yourself to others. Students are required by law to be in school, as an adult, you are not. Understand that there is a moral obligation that your students are primary and that you cannot use them to get your own needs met. The rewards in education are often quantified by the light in someone's eye. If that matters to you, consider education.

• Elementary School Principal

  Job Title: Elementary School Principal

  Education: BS in Education, Rhode Island College •• MA in Educational Administration, Framingham State College

  Previous Experience: I was as elementary teacher for 20 years and a fulltime assistant principal for 4 years.

  Job Tasks: An elementary school principal multi-tasks all day.

  Each day, I greet the students outdoors before school, visit each classroom each day and say goodbye at the end of the day.

  My favorite part of this position is working with the children and teachers. Most of my day involves administrative tasks: it could be meeting with a parent, a teacher, or both. I could be called to speak with a child or children regarding behavior issues, or poor choices, be notified that there is a plumbing problem in the boys or girls lavatories, a teacher may have to leave or not come in, the nurse may need me, help out in the lunch room if there is a shortage, there is a need to practice emergency procedures from time to time, deal with personnel issues, meet with PTO members etc.

  I enjoy dealing with parents most of the time. Some can be difficult and not be objective when their child is involved so it can be frustating. My main focus is always "the child" and what is in his or her best interest. The children's success is primary.

  My days are full and busy and no two are alike. It is fun to come to school each day to see what new, or old, issues arise.

  It is important for a principal not to over-react quickly. Keeping calm is most beneficial to all. Emotions can get high so listening to all parties involved is key. When all the facts are presented it is then time to make a decision.

  Evening meetings are essential but not my favorite part of the job. Because we are a private school marketing is important and ongoing.

  Best and Worst Parts of the Job: I love seeing the smiling faces of children each day - it is the best part - teaching, training, and influencing their lives in a positive manner. Children are carefree and easy going and love to be in school where their day is structured and they are in a positive environment.

  There is no part I hate. I dislike meetings, meetings, meetings but know they are essential.

  Job Tips: Experience in the classroom is the best preparation for a principal - as many years as possible. Once you have been in the trenches of teaching, then you can better relate to any issue that comes about and make a prudent decision.

  Education, and a Masters degree, and continuing education are essential.

  Additional Thoughts: Principalship is a wonderful, gratifying position. I didn't always want to be a principal (teaching was my forte) but many people saw me as an administartor and I listened. My days are not always perfect but enriching and fullfilling.

Most Popular Industries (as of 2007) for:
Elementary And Secondary School Administrators

Industries representing at least 1% of total jobs for the occupation.