Abstract:
Principals of schools have a unique set of responsibilities that range from the
transactional to the transformational. Principals are expected to set a clear vision for the
school community, support teachers in their work, while at the same time being
responsible for all the details that allow a school to function smoothly. Thus, the first year
of a novice principalship is a complex challenge. The first year in a high performing
school carries with it an added set of challenges that a novice principal must come to
understand and navigate. First-year principals work to not only gain understanding of
their role in the school community, but also to develop a personal leadership style that
supports teachers, children, parents and the larger community. It is through their
experiences and reflections that novice principals begin to develop their unique voice as a
leader. These experiences lay the foundation for their coming years in the principal's
office.