by Kevin Mcdaniels

Created on: July 27, 2009   Last Updated: July 28, 2009

How School Principals Can Build Closer Relationships With Students

Principals have to put in a lot of extra time and energy to get to know the students in their building. I personally think it is a good idea for the principal to get to know each student. While I realize that in some bigger schools it may seem unrealistic, it is still a good idea. Some students will stand out more than others, but they will recognize and appreciate the effort given.

Principals in public schools today are often considered as the person you talk to when you are in trouble. I know that not one principal I had remembers who I am. That only means I never got in enough trouble to be remembered.

I can remember when I was a student, that often times the principal would stand outside as the kids came inside the school in the mornings. He would greet students, but most (not all) of those he greeted were the kids who were sent to him frequently. I do not know if he called them by name to give a friendly warning that he was there, or because they were the only names he could recall.

As an educator in an elementary school, I know our principal makes an effort to know all the students. In a school as small as ours, it is not too hard to do. There are many rewards the students receive in our school. If kids are "caught being good," they may be rewarded with a bracelet for doing a good job. At the end of every nine-weeks, those students who have not gotten detention or "study table" (for not finishing homework), would be rewarded with ice cream.

Principals are very busy people who oftentimes have to spend time in meetings instead of spending the quality time needed in their buildings. They have to deal with the students who misbehave, the teachers who cannot or will not solve their own problems, and the parents whose "innocent" child is being falsely persecuted by a teacher.

There are many small things that principals can do to build relationships with the students. I had one principal who would go outside during recess and play with the kids. Sometimes it was only throwing a football or kicking a kickball. The kids liked the time they took, even for only a minute, to grant their small request. Principals in the building with older kids can earn the respect of their students in other ways. I have often been surprised how much respect someone can earn through two easy steps. The first - knowing the student's name. The second - telling them the truth. Many students know when they are being lied to or when the truth is being avoided. Give them the respect you would expect of them, and you may be surprised by the results.

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