Tell me about your education.

"I attended undergrad at UCLA and earned my degree in Special Education. From there, I began teaching and six years later, I earned my master's degree in Educational Leadership from Marquette University. For the past three years, I've served as assistant principal and earned by IB certification. As part of my commitment to being a lifelong learner, I enroll in a summer college course every few years, leverage my community of friends in school leadership, meet with my mentor, and do a lot of reading."

The interviewer wants to learn more about your path to becoming a principal. Share the journey of your formal education and any other trainings or certifications you've acquired along the way. It wouldn't hurt to share any resources you use to stay on top of current trends, programs, or ideologies in education to demonstrate your desire to always be learning and growing.

"I earned my undergraduate degree in Music Education from Kansas City, Kansas Community College, and Florida A&M University. After graduation, I taught for a semester at FAMU and later pursued my master's in music education at Florida State University. I taught music education in middle and high school for four and five years, respectively. I earned my certification in Educational Leadership while teaching in high school and later became an assistant principal at the high school level for four years. I continued my commitment to lifelong learning by becoming an intern principal and later Principal at the middle school level. I earned my Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership in 2017. I continued my education by attending reading and math training, standards-based instruction workshops, teacher observation training, and a superintendent's Training academy."

Tell me about yourself.

"I taught for 14 years at two different schools ever since I graduated from ABC college. I earned a Master's degree in Educational Leadership while teaching and became an Assistance Principal three years ago. I have loved being on the leadership team side of things and have learned so much from my team and the principal that I work directly with. She has really helped develop me and challenge me because she knew I wanted to work my way to a principal position. I absolutely love working in education and seeing the impact that education can have on a child, a family, and a community. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my husband and three children who are involved in various activities. We are very active and love to travel and explore."

This is a classic interview question that you should expect and prepare for. The interviewer wants to a chance to get to know you both personally and professionally. Provide some background information on your education and career and tell them a little bit about your life outside of work. Allow the interviewer a little glimpse into your life and who you are.

Can you describe a mistake you have made before and how you addressed it?

"A few years ago, I was teaching at a new school, and I didn't have all the answers about parent/teacher conferences. I mistakenly told a few parents in my class some misinformation. I should have waited to relay the information until I knew all the details, but I wanted to get the information to them as quickly as I could. When I realized my mistake, I quickly emailed all of the students' parents in my class, informed them of my error, and let them know of the updated information. I am now more hesitant to relay information unless I am sure of all the details."

We've all made mistakes at work. Take a moment to think about a time you made the wrong decision, what the consequence was because of it, and how you self-corrected or learned from the experience. It would be best to share a minor mistake or a mistake that was made due to lack of experience versus a mistake that caused a lot of trouble.

What have you done in the past year to better yourself as a Principal?

"In the past year, I have read several books on leadership; I am always hungry to learn and grow. Some of my favorites have been 'High Performance Habits' and 'Dare to Lead'. I also attended a leadership conference in Chicago about various leadership styles and how to build a strong team. I also have a mentor who was a former principal and we meet biweekly. I plan on continuing all of these things, as well as continuing to seek out professional development opportunities to better lead my team and help them grow."

Just as teachers are constantly trying to learn and develop, principals should be doing the same in order to lead well. Consider what you are already doing to become a more influential leader and learn more about the world of education to benefit your school. It is also great to mention what you plan on doing to continue to learn and grow professionally.

"This past year, I have reviewed previous books I read on Instructional Leadership, including "Leverage Leadership" Driven by Data" and What Great Principals Do Differently" I have attended training on standards-based instruction for reading and math and related strategies for small group instruction. As an adjunct professor, I teach an instructional leadership class for aspiring leaders that focuses on the role of the instructional leader in improving student learning and meeting students' needs through data analysis and developing instructional improvement strategies to improve classroom performance and student learning. I also mentor sitting principals and assistant principals."

How will you ensure that staff members continue to grow as professionals?

"I am planning to host quarterly professional development opportunities that cater directly to what teachers ask for. There is more buy in from staff when their voices are heard and they receive the development they ask for. I would also seek out staff members who are doing an exceptional job in different areas to teach the rest of the staff. This empowers staff and allows us to share the great work teachers are already doing in their classrooms. The more relevant PD opportunities, the better, and it would be a priority of mine."

Teaching is a career field in which continued professional development is always necessary. With technology moving so quickly and the world becoming more and more competitive, it is crucial to keep up with new methods and ideologies in the classroom. As the leader of the school, you will be in charge of seeking out and implementing professional development opportunities. Teachers appreciate being asked as to what kind of development they could use, so it is not a bad idea to communicate that you would seek staff feedback in order to best plan development.

How would you resolve a conflict between two upset teachers in your school?

"If I was made aware of a conflict between two teachers, I would first meet with both teachers individually to hear their perspectives. So often, conflict arises out of a lack of communication. I would try to get to the bottom of the issue, knowing full well that there are two sides to every story. After I heard from each of them, I would have a combined meeting to speak openly and share my perspective. I would then reiterate our school values of teamwork, respect, and collaboration, encourage the teachers to put the conflict behind them, and state my expectations for working professionally moving forward."

While this is something you hope you won't see much of as principal, conflicts are inevitable in the work place. As principal, you need to have good conflict resolution skills to fairly work out disagreements. At the end of the day, a school is still a professional environment, and everyone should be held accountable to acting like adults and treating others with respect. If asked this question, be sure to state how you would go about settling the issue and reinforcing an environment of teamwork, respect, and collaboration.

"If a conflict between two teachers came to my attention, I would immediately meet with both teachers separately to confirm a conflict exists and hear each person's point of view. If there were independent witnesses to the conflict, I would confidentially seek their input. Once I understand the conflict, I would facilitate a combined meeting with both teachers. To work toward a resolution, I would establish mediation ground rules for the meeting. Once the ground rules are established, I would begin the conversation by allowing each person to share their side of the story, after which I would share my perspective and encourage them to lay the conflict to rest. I would remind both teachers of the professional code of ethics and the district's and my expectations for professional behavior."

Do you manage your time well?

"Over the course of my career, I've discovered what works well for me to optimize the time I spend at school. I like to get up early in the morning to review my calendar for the day. This way, I walk into the building knowing exactly what lies ahead of me. At our weekly leadership meetings, I delegate certain tasks to different team members based on their strengths, and we check in weekly to see how different projects are progressing. I set aside uninterrupted time in my calendar where I can be alone in my office to get work done that can sometimes be pushed aside. I have very little down time at school because I try to be very efficient in planning, preparing, and working ahead on several different things at one. My team is a huge help, and it really is a group effort to tackle all of our to-dos."

The clear answer here is 'yes', but the interviewer will want to know how you go about managing your time to maximize the time you spend at school during working hours. Consider how you manage all of your various responsibilities, what tools you use to assist you, and what keeps your school team running like a well oiled machine. Effective leaders use their time wisely; share the tips and tricks you've learned over the years to keep on top of your responsibilities.

"Yes. The time I spend in school is utilized effectively. I review my calendar the day before and early in the morning before I go to work. This strategy assists me in planning for the day's activities. I check in daily with my secretary to review my to-do list and meet with my leadership team to ensure they are on top of their delegated responsibilities and make adjustments if necessary. I set aside time in my daily calendar before and after school to read my emails, return calls, and catch up on any other work I need to do."

How do you stay organized?

"I use several different tools to keep myself and my leadership team organized and on the same page. First and foremost, I utilize folders in my email and google calendar for all of my scheduled to-dos. I am meticulous and reviewing my calendar at the beginning of each week and the start of each day. This reminds me of what I need to prep for throughout the week. Additionally, we hold weekly leadership team meetings to discuss to-dos and we utilize tools like google suite, basecamp, and shared calendars to stay organized and keep all items in one place. I pride myself on my organization, and I think my team would agree that we are very efficient in that way."

A highly effective principal must remain organized, both personally and professionally. You probably have several methods that work best for you. Consider sharing how you prioritize items, how you organize your weeks and your days, how you remember key to-dos, and how you utilize your team to ensure everything gets done. There are lots of apps and programs that you could mention, just make sure you are able to communicate how you keep yourself and your team organized on a daily basis.

"I keep a personal and professional daily calendar on my phone using outlook. I read my emails daily before and after work to ensure I stay on schedule and up to date on district and school concerns. I meet daily with my secretary for my professional calendar and to-do list and have all my one-on-one meetings scheduled through her. I meet weekly with my administrative team to discuss and prioritize to-do lists and ensure all school safety, parent conferences, leadership, faculty, academic coaches, and department and team meetings are scheduled weekly, biweekly, or monthly on outlook and disseminated to all stakeholders."

How did you cope with stress at school?

"I take my mental health very seriously and make sure to exercise and get enough sleep every day in order to perform my best. Exercise like yoga and biking help me to blow off steam and unwind. At work, I try to always work ahead of schedule because I know procrastinating can cause me to feel stress. I plan ahead, work ahead, and even when things come up, I do my very best to remain calm and collected. Sometimes that means I need to lock myself in my office for an uninterrupted hour and get work done. I am confident if my abilities to utilize my team, manage personal and professional stress, and remain focused on the job."

Even if you have never served as principal before, you've likely dealt with stress at work. Share some strategies that have worked for you to cope with stress at work. You may also want to share what you do outside of work that brings you joy and helps keep your stress level manageable. The most successful leaders are able to manage their emotions and deal well with stress, so be sure to communicate your plan to do just that.

"I firmly believe it is essential to release stress at the end of the day by exercising and unwinding with a good book, my favorite movie, or a television program. I also find yard work relaxing. Separation from the stress of work is essential for mental health. Prior planning helps me stay ahead of my work schedule and prevents me from putting things off. Keeping a level head on the job is essential. As the school leader, I set the tone, and all stakeholders look to me for guidance. I have to remain on top of my game and encourage those I lead to find ways of releasing stress that helps them do the same."

Do you work well under pressure?

"Yes, I do work well under pressure. Principals have to manage lots of high pressure situations like public speaking, having competing responsibilities, and making important decisions. I am able to remain calm in the midst of high pressure situations, and I do so by planning and preparing diligently, seeking wise counsel, and taking care of myself outside of work by getting exercise and spending time with my family."

If this is a strength of yours, be sure to share it and even include an example of a time you worked well under a decent amount of stress. Don't hold back! Share what you are capable of and how you manage stressful times. If working under pressure is not a strength, share that you are developing in this area and list some things that help you through. Consider sharing how you relieve stress and how you are able to get through stressful times.

"Yes, I work well under pressure. Principals have to be skilled in multiple areas and learn to handle various responsibilities. As a result, I deal with safety issues, student, parent, and staff concerns, as well as community issues. At a moment's notice, I may be called to address a school emergency while at the same time dealing with a pending student disciplinary issue or staffing conflict. I remain calm under pressure knowing that I have a highly competent staff trained to deal with emergencies and provide the necessary support when needed. Additionally, we practice emergency and safety drills each month and run through school scenarios to keep our response skills sharp. I stay grounded by seeking spiritual guidance, consulting with colleagues, taking care of myself outside work by exercising, and spending time with loved ones."

How did you deal with upset parents whose child complained about you?

"I'm sure I will encounter upset parents at one point or another along the road. I would invite the parent in for a meeting, hear them out, and explain my perspective. I am not one to argue or carry on, but I would state the facts, apologize if my actions negatively affected them, and try to turn the conversation more positive. I would do my best to not hold a grudge, but find a way to reach out the family in the next few weeks to report good news from school."

As principal, you will never be able to please everyone. There will be times when staff, parents, and students are upset with you because of some decision you had to make. When a parent is upset, it is best to listen to them, explain why you acted the way you did or made the decision you made, and move on. There is no use arguing back and forth, especially if you were just doing your job. If necessary, you can offer a simple apology, and maybe down the road call home with a positive message about the child.

How did you deal with lazy students?

"My experience has been that oftentimes when students appear lazy, there is really something deeper going on. It has always been my goal for students to feel a sense of belonging and to help them becoming independent learners. I also genuinely believe that all students want to learn and perform well. So, when a student appears disinterested, I immediately try to understand why. Sometimes it has to do with a deficit or a even that they are not challenged enough. When I know a student well, I can usually determine the root of the issue quickly. I do whatever I can to speak with the student and meet their needs, to the best of my ability. Some strategies I use are offering brain breaks, providing support through a peer buddy, working directly with me, providing more challenging work and allowing the student to 'teach' the class, or simply letting them vent. I typically experience success with one of these strategies."

Be sure to keep in mind that students are often deemed 'lazy' when really, it is something else entirely that is at play. There are several reasons students avoid tasks or distract themselves; often they are bored, craving attention, or have reached their frustration level and have shut down. Consider changing the language of this question to reveal that you are mindful of students' experiences and behavior and that you can effectively implement strategies to motivate students to perform their very best. Instead of writing a student off or immediately issuing a consequence, consider some intervention strategies you can try to re-engage the student.

"Often, when I observe students seeming disinterested, I try to remember that sometimes the source of their frustration is beyond what I can immediately see. My experience has been students' unacceptable behaviors are often a cry for help. Is it a learning disorder, trouble at home, teacher-student relationship, etc. Understanding this, my approach is to pull the student aside and talk with them confidentially to try and understand the source of their misbehavior. Depending on the severity of the situation, I contact the student's parents, guidance counselor, classroom teachers, and, if necessary social worker to see if this is a pattern of behavior. I also refer the student to Response to Invention for additional support if necessary. I'm going to exhaust all options to ensure the student is successful."

What do you think is the most important task of the principal?

"The most important task of mine is to be a fierce advocate for my teachers, students, and their families. I am the liaison between the district and the school, and I have a great responsibility that I take very seriously to make smart decisions for the school community. A great education is something that everyone deserves, and it can open up so many doors for students. I take my job of defending and rooting for my students very seriously, and I will do whatever necessary to stand with my staff and the families we serve. Everything that I do, I do it with all of them in mind."

A principal has all kinds of duties and responsibilities. Of all of the roles they play, consider what is the most important to be an effective leader. Make sure to review the job posting to determine what the school considers the most important task of the principal. Be sure to echo something from the job posting that also aligns with your beliefs in terms of effective leadership.

"My top priority is the safety and welfare of my students and staff to create a learning environment that leads to improving student achievement. Lezotte's first and second-generation correlates emphasize that school safety and a cooperative learning environment for all students with adults modeling cooperative behaviors and encouraging students to do the same to help each other is essential to students moving forward academically. Establishing a Leaning for all foundational environments leads to building on the other correlates of a climate of high expectations for success, instructional leadership, a clear and focused mission, opportunity to learn and student time on task, frequent monitoring of student progress, and home school relations."

What qualifies you for this position?

"I am qualified for this position because of my years spent in the classroom, both as a student and as a teacher. I have been in a school environment for my entire life, and I have learned so much about myself as a leader and what I believe to be true about students and a school community. While I have been teaching for the past twelve years, I have also been listening, observing, taking note of, learning, absorbing, and refining my teaching philosophy and leadership skills to one day lead my own school. I have learned from good leaders and from great leaders, and I am determined to put it to good use and lead my school and everyone counting on me to the best of my ability."

Even if you have never served as principal before, more than likely you have spent numerous years in the classroom. Don't sell yourself short; you have acquired all sorts of knowledge about the school community, school leadership, and what is best for students. You have developed your teaching philosophy and know what makes an effective leader. Even if your experience is limited, share your experience and your vision for what a school could be. Share why you are committed to doing your very best for the sake of the school and all who rely on it.

What made you choose to pursue a career as a Principal?

"Growing up, I knew I always wanted to teach. I pursued that dream in college and have taught for the past twelve years. It is truly such a challenging, yet rewarding job. I have enjoyed my time in the classroom. There is nothing quite like having a front row seat to watching students develop and grow. However, over the last few years I worked towards my degree in Educational Leadership because I know I possess the necessary skills to lead teachers, students, and families to success. I have enough experience, passion, and drive to make real, meaningful change at school and I have the willingness to listen and get my hands dirty in order to see children learn and grow. I have never been more sure of a next step as I am about this one."

Your answer here should reveal your passion for the job. Share a little bit of your background and what led you to the realization that you wanted to become a principal. Tell the interviewer about your passion for leadership and supporting students and teachers to success.

"I have wanted to be a teacher since I was in seventh grade. I had several middle and high school teachers who were great role models for me. As a result of their influence, I went to college and pursued a career in education. After my fourth year of teaching, I was encouraged to go into administration but declined because I love the classroom. I loved working with students and adults, and I guess it showed. I was elected teacher of the year at two different schools. Two years later, after becoming Department Chair, I decided to pursue a degree in educational leadership. After completing my educational leadership courses, I realized that my sphere of influence extended beyond my classroom with students and teachers. Pursuing this path led me to become an assistant principal and later principal. There is no greater joy than being a part of students' families' and teachers' educational success."

What are your career goals?

"I plan on remaining a principal for several years to come. I want to plant myself in a school community and do all that I can to help it flourish. I'm not quite sure if I'll retire as a principal, but I plan on working in the schools for many years to come. I also hope to one day mentor new principals to pass on all the knowledge I've acquired throughout my career."

The interviewer is getting at what your long term plan is and how long you may stay at their school. If you plan on retiring as a principal, share that with the interviewer. If you are unsure of what may come next, it is ok to be honest about that as well, but you should be able to commit a few years to their school in order to have any impact. Adjusting to a new principal is hard on a school community, so share that you will be committed to the school if hired as principal.

Why are you the best candidate for us?

"I am the best candidate because I have dedicated my life to this work. I am so passionate about the local school and the impact it can have on the greater community. I am invested in the lives of students, their families, and my teaching staff. I believe deeply that all students are capable of learning, and I remain committed to leading a school that values empathy, growth, optimism, good character, and fostering dreams. I am very self-motivated and very capable of leading this school to even greater success."

Prior to the interview, try to think about what truly sets you apart from other candidates. You answer to this question can make or break your interview. Without going on and on about yourself, be honest about a few things you do really well, your passion and vision for the school, and what keeps you motivated to take on the challenge of leading the school day after day.

"To whom much is given much is required. Education for me is a calling, so this is my way of doing God's work by collaboratively working with others to positively impact the lives of the students, staff, families, and communities I work with. I believe in the adage "A Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Waste" I have the moral responsibility not to let students waste their minds by investing in their futures. As an instructional leader, I embody this adage by advocating for and supporting the students, staff, and school community I represent. I believe in committing my school's financial and physical resources to build staff and parent capacity to improve student achievement for all students and prepare them for life in the 21st Century."

What is your greatest strength?

"My greatest strength is my ability to remain flexible and adapt to whatever is thrown at me. There is never a dull moment in a school building, and I can very easily think on my feet to make decisions and change directions, as needed. I know I will get interrupted at times to deal with more pressing matters, and I am comfortable moving from one thing to the next with very little warning. I thrive in an environment where I am always on my toes, and I can maintain a positive attitude no matter what is thrown at me. I've always been this way, and I know it only benefits me as a principal."

Be sure to review the job posting to familiarize yourself with the characteristics the school is looking for in their new principal. Consider how you fit in with the posting, and share a strength that highlights what you are capable of. Be sure to connect the strength with how it will be an advantage to you on the job. Be honest and straightforward; your answer here may just be what sets you apart from the competition!

What do you know about our organization?

"I applied for this position because I was especially interested in your diverse offerings of classroom settings for various learners. I noticed you have traditional classrooms by grade level, multi-age classrooms, gifted programs, special education programs, and several electives based on student interests. Having many offerings is especially favorable for parents looking for a setting that will be fit their student. I also know that your school has won various awards and is highly regarded in the community as a great school. This district is continuously producing great test scores and always looking to improve, which ultimately opens doors for students and their families. I am very excited to be a part of that."

The interviewer wants to hear that you've done some research on the district and school you will be entering into. You should be as prepared as possible by paging through their website, looking up their social media channels, finding articles online, and talking to current and/or former employees or parents of students, if possible. The more you know and can communicate, the more the interviewer will be impressed with your level of interest in their school. Be sure to express your excitement about the school you've applied to.

"I was particularly interested in your district's diversity and the community's schools. As I reviewed the schools on your district website, I noticed you have a variety of schools with traditional classrooms by grade level, multi-age classrooms, gifted programs, special education programs, and a host of electives based on student interests. You also have a variety of instructional delivery models, including blended instruction, dual language immersion, and career academies. Your innovation is noted in the different school structures, including academies, school within-a-school models, theme schools, magnet schools, and charter schools. I also know your district is highly regarded, having been a three-time Board finalist and twice recognized as one of the nation's top urban school districts. Your focus on continuous improvement to become a system of world-class schools has continuously produced excellent test scores, which opens doors for students and their families. I am very excited to be a part of that."

What defines success for you as a principal?

"I am planning on implementing a middle and end of year survey for staff, teachers, and families to complete each year. I am always hungry for their true and honest feedback when it comes to their satisfaction and suggestions. I will also be implementing a road map at the beginning of each year, which will set ambitious goals for staff and students to accomplish throughout the year. We will address the road map at weekly staff meetings to ensure we are reminded of our goals and remain on track."

When you look back on a school year, consider how you determine whether or not it was successful. Think about what would indicate success in the eyes of teachers and staff, students, and parents. You might want to think about how you can measure success, year after year. You can't go wrong offering up an answer that includes continuous growth and improvement from year to year.

What is your greatest weakness? What are you doing to improve it?

"I have a tendency to want to please everyone, which can be especially difficult in a role like this. Typically, when decisions need to be made, not everyone will be pleased. In order to be an effective leader, I need to make some decisions that are not always popular. In order to combat this tendency, I seek advice and counsel from my leadership team, first and foremost. I consider the perspectives of everyone involved and always try to make the most unbiased and wise decisions I can that will ultimately impact the most amount of students positively. I also speak with my mentor regularly who pushes me to be my best professionally."

Everyone has areas of strengths and weaknesses. Whenever this question is asked, be sure to share something that is minor and not a central responsibility of the job. Be sure to address exactly how you combat this weakness and what you are actively doing to ensure it does not inhibit your ability to do your job well. Be honest, but make sure the interviewer still remains confident in your ability to lead the school well, despite your weaknesses.

What steps would you take to handle a student who is a consistent behavioral problem in a classroom?

"After all my years in the classroom, I know that all behavior is communication. Likely, the child is choosing to behave inappropriately in order to seek attention from adults or peers or avoid a task of some sort. After speaking directly with the student and teacher, speaking with the parent/guardian, and implementing strategies to make the student feel welcome and important, I would arrange a meeting with everyone involved. If a consequence was necessary, I would suggest one that is reflective of a real world consequence they may face. Ultimately, I would want to get to the bottom of the issue and put intentional supports in place to help the student feel included and heard, while also ensuring a positive and safe learning environment for the rest of the class and the teacher."

Your answer here will communicate a great deal as to what you believe about students, their behavior, and discipline. Prior to your interview, be sure to do some research on the school's beliefs and policies. Also consider your own beliefs and ideas to foster an environment where students feel a sense of belonging and learning can take place. Share your perspective on this issue and how you would approach a student who was having a hard time at school.

What qualities make an excellent principal?

"A lot is expected of principals and they are often face a lot of scrutiny because of the numerous amount of people counting on them to deliver. However, the best ones are strong communicators. They speak clearly, with authority, and leave no room for misinterpretations. The best principals are also highly approachable and friendly. They make time to communicate with their staff, students, and families and get to know them on a personal level. A principal should also be a creative thinker and decisive. They are the leader of the school, so they should be filled with ideas as to how to improve student experience and then promptly implement those ideas."

Chances are you already have an opinion as to what makes an excellent principal. Consider all of the various roles that a principal takes on and what qualities are necessary to ensure everything gets done and teachers and families have a voice within the school. It would be helpful to also explain why those qualities are important for the job and how you demonstrate them in your every day. You definitely can't go wrong by naming qualities like effective communicator, decisive, approachable, intentional, and honest.

"I believe the best principals are strong communicators, decisive, and collaborative. They speak clearly, with authority, and leave no room for misinterpretations. The best principals are also highly approachable and friendly. They make time to communicate with their staff, students, and families and get to know them on a personal level. A principal should also be a creative thinker and decisive. They are the school's leaders, so they should be filled with ideas on how to improve the student and staff experience, share the ideas with stakeholders, and then collaboratively work with staff and community to implement those ideas."

What is the most difficult part of being a Principal?

"The most difficult part of the job is trying to make time for all of my responsibilities. There often feels like there just isn't enough time in the day to get to everything that I want to. I am just one person with several staff members, teachers, students, and parents who are often all trying to get in touch with me. They all have unique requests, questions, and suggestions and it can be challenging to keep up with so many different people and competing responsibilities. With that being said, I remain very intentional about my time and reserve blocks for my staff and the families I serve to speak openly with me. I always want to remain approachable and available, so I spend my time wisely and always encourage open discourse."

Answer this question honestly, while still remaining confident in your abilities to lead the school. Try to pick an aspect of the job that is challenging, potentially due to a lack of experience with it, but that isn't a main responsibility required of you. Be sure to explain why it is difficult and how you are able to work around it or get the job done well, regardless. Ensure that your interviewer remains confident in your ability to do the job well, despite the challenges you will face.

"Finding enough time in the day to meet my job responsibilities is the most difficult part of being a Principal. Sometimes it feels as if there isn't enough time to accomplish everything I need to do. Numerous stakeholders are vying for my attention. Students, parents, staff, and community members have unique requests for time and need to be heard. I must be deliberate in setting aside time to address their concerns and delegate to others on my administrative and leadership team when necessary. When staff members meet on my behalf, I follow up with the stakeholder to ensure their concerns have been addressed. The most important aspect is that my team and I are accessible to all stakeholders and address their needs in a timely manner."

What is the most rewarding part of being a Principal?

"The most rewarding part of being a principal is seeing students and their siblings grow up and move on from my school with a bright future ahead of them. It is truly heartwarming getting to witness young students learn and grow throughout their years here and leave us with so much pride and confidence. One of my very favorite parts of the job is when students come back to visit and I am able to hear of their successes and achievements. My heart just swells with pride for having had a small part in their story. It is the best job."

Share what is or what might be the most rewarding part of being a principal. Be honest about your answer and share how you truly feel. Consider what keeps you motivated to see the school year through when times are tough. Share what makes it all worth it, despite such a challenging role.

What do you like least about being a Principal?

"My least favorite thing about my principal responsibilities is having to have hard conversations with teachers. At times, I've had to deal with budget cuts, navigate conflicts, and assign teachers to different positions. The conversations are necessary and I have been praised for my ability to be open and honest, but that doesn't make them any easier. I will always be learning and developing in this area, but I want to be the kind of leader who is honest and transparent with my team."

If you do not yet have experience as a principal, share what you think you will like least about the job or what you may be nervous about. If you have experience, share what you like least about the job, making sure to mention something minor that you are able to work through. Despite admitting what may be challenging for you or something you dislike, be sure to communicate that you are capable of the job and will do your best in each and every one of your duties as principal.

"Having difficult conversations with teachers and support staff comes with the territory of supervision. These conversations are perhaps the most difficult because of our relationships with coworkers. However, I have learned dealing with budget cuts, navigating conflicts, and assigning teachers or staff to different positions doesn't get any easier no matter how often we do it. The conversations are a necessary part of the job, and I must have them while maintaining the employee's dignity. Speaking to them directly with honesty and transparency makes a difference."

What do you like most about being a Principal?

"My favorite part of the job is interacting with students and their families. I am constantly seeking feedback in order to improve our processes and the overall student and family experience. I enjoy truly getting to know the students that walk our halls and the families that support them. The school operates in partnership with families, so we must be in tune with what our families need, and I love that aspect of the job!"

If you do not yet have experience as a principal, share what you think you will enjoy most about the job or what you're most excited about. If you have experience, share what your favorite thing is about that job and what keeps you motivated. This question provides a great opportunity to leave a lasting impression on the interviewer, so be sure your answer is meaningful and demonstrates your commitment to the role.

Principal Interview Questions

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1. Tell me about your education.
2. Tell me about yourself.
3. Can you describe a mistake you have made before and how you addressed it?
4. What have you done in the past year to better yourself as a Principal?
5. How will you ensure that staff members continue to grow as professionals?
6. How would you resolve a conflict between two upset teachers in your school?
7. Do you manage your time well?
8. How do you stay organized?
9. How did you cope with stress at school?
10. Do you work well under pressure?
11. How did you deal with upset parents whose child complained about you?
12. How did you deal with lazy students?
13. What do you think is the most important task of the principal?
14. What qualifies you for this position?
15. What made you choose to pursue a career as a Principal?
16. What are your career goals?
17. Why are you the best candidate for us?
18. What is your greatest strength?
19. What do you know about our organization?
20. What defines success for you as a principal?
21. What is your greatest weakness? What are you doing to improve it?
22. What steps would you take to handle a student who is a consistent behavioral problem in a classroom?
23. What qualities make an excellent principal?
24. What is the most difficult part of being a Principal?
25. What is the most rewarding part of being a Principal?
26. What do you like least about being a Principal?
27. What do you like most about being a Principal?

Principal Interview Questions

1. Tell me about your education.

2. Tell me about yourself.

3. Can you describe a mistake you have made before and how you addressed it?

4. What have you done in the past year to better yourself as a Principal?

5. How will you ensure that staff members continue to grow as professionals?

6. How would you resolve a conflict between two upset teachers in your school?

7. Do you manage your time well?

8. How do you stay organized?

9. How did you cope with stress at school?

10. Do you work well under pressure?

11. How did you deal with upset parents whose child complained about you?

12. How did you deal with lazy students?

13. What do you think is the most important task of the principal?

14. What qualifies you for this position?

15. What made you choose to pursue a career as a Principal?

16. What are your career goals?

17. Why are you the best candidate for us?

18. What is your greatest strength?

19. What do you know about our organization?

20. What defines success for you as a principal?

21. What is your greatest weakness? What are you doing to improve it?

22. What steps would you take to handle a student who is a consistent behavioral problem in a classroom?

23. What qualities make an excellent principal?

24. What is the most difficult part of being a Principal?

25. What is the most rewarding part of being a Principal?

26. What do you like least about being a Principal?

27. What do you like most about being a Principal?