October is National Principals Month

This October marks my third year as a Principal, and I am deeply grateful for the extraordinary leaders who have mentored, guided, and inspired me along the way. I count myself fortunate to call many of them colleagues and friends. These Principal leaders have poured their wisdom and experience into me, helping me grow into a more effective and impactful leader.

As I reflect on this journey, I want to use this National Principals Month to pour into the next generation of aspiring Principals by sharing two key practices that significantly shaped my transition from aspiring leader to Principal.

Keep Your Principal Out of the Weeds

During my time as an Assistant Principal, I listened to a sermon by Bishop Simeon Moultrie of The Brook in Columbia, SC, where he spoke about visionary leadership. He emphasized how many day-to-day tasks can pull leaders into the weeds, preventing them from focusing on the bigger picture and casting vision for their organization. This message resonated deeply with me.

I took it as a personal commitment to keep my Principal, Dr. Brenda Mack, out of the weeds. I realized that to help her lead effectively, I needed to take on tasks that didn’t require her direct attention, allowing her to focus on casting vision for the school. In doing so, I not only built trust with her but also expanded my own leadership capacity. Over time, as Dr. Mack saw that I could manage tasks with a high level of excellence, she entrusted me with more responsibilities, giving me the opportunity to lead and, in turn, build capacity in others.

Do Everything with Excellence

The second key practice I learned is to do everything in excellence—no exceptions. This lesson came from my former colleague, Dr. Marlon Thomas, now a veteran Principal in the same district where I serve. Dr. Thomas taught me that every task, no matter how big or small, should be approached with the highest level of care, thoughtfulness, and thoroughness. Excellence isn’t about perfection, but about ensuring that every detail is considered and that the final product reflects deep intentionality.

This mindset also led me to understand the importance of collaboration. Delivering excellence often requires seeking input from others, especially those who will be directly impacted by decisions or initiatives. By bringing others into the planning process, I was able to craft more thoughtful, comprehensive solutions while simultaneously building relationships and trust within my team.

Personal Gratitude

I’m thankful for the lessons I’ve learned from leaders like Dr. Mack and Dr. Thomas, and I hope these practices—keeping your Principal out of the weeds and doing everything with excellence—can help guide you or someone you know on their leadership journey.

Thank You Principals

Principals, I hope you take the opportunity to reflect throughout this month on the significant impact you make within your school and community. I encourage you to continue to operate with courage, a spirit of steadfastness, and a heart for people. While the work is at times, exhausting and overwhelming, I hope the moments that bring you joy are priceless and remind you of why you answered the call to lead students, staff, and families. Thank you!

Happy National Principals Month!!