Critical Role of Principals Featured in September PBS Programs

Ask a person on the street what a principal does, and they’re going to respond with what they witnessed when they were in school. The Principal Story, a new PBS documentary, will air September 15 at 9:30 p.m. as schools are into the year full stride with administrators setting the pace. Preceding the national story’s debut, Iowa Public Television will highlight Iowa principals’ efforts to redefine their role to one of instructional leadership through a 30-minute program to be televised September 10 at 8 p.m.

The Principal Story portrays the challenges principals face in turning around low-performing public schools and raising student achievement. This intimate, emotional one-year journey is seen through the eyes of two dynamic principals: one in only her second year in the Chicago Public Schools system; and the other, a seven-year veteran in Springfield, Ill. The film reveals the struggles these leaders face as they keep their focus on improving teaching and learning amid the competing demands of managing their staffs and engaging their students and communities. Find out more about the documentary and watch clips.

The documentary makes clear that principals have the power to help change lives as the chief learning officers of their schools. You can use this documentary as a tool in your school community to create awareness of the principals’ wide-reaching ability to positively influence school communities.

Resources:

• The National Association of Elementary School Principals offers tips on how to use the documentary.

• The National Staff Development Council has produced THE PRINCIPAL STORY Field Guide: A Companion to the PBS Documentary for Promoting Leadership for Learning. The Field Guide offers guidance and resources to turn viewing into professional learning experiences that focus on effective leader performance to improve teaching and learning.
• Board members from the Iowa affiliate of the NSDC have volunteered to facilitate dialogue that leaders may want to have with teacher groups, community groups, etc.