Your school’s assistant principal was definitely a stern-looking man or woman who handled disciplinary issues and ensured the smooth operation of the school, with or without the principal. Well, these professionals generally oversee major administrative work needed to run a school or educational facility. They also handle community relations, curriculum instruction, general school management, and student activities.
Given all these responsibilities, they need several years of experience as general classroom teachers and in senior positions. We will help you in your quest to become one by taking an in-depth look at what is expected from an assistant principal, ranging from roles and responsibilities to the required skill set and education. We have also included two resume examples to guide your CV preparation. Join us as we break down this job’s responsibilities and requirements.
Position Description
The assistant principal is second in authority after the school principal. These educational professionals handle school management issues, community relations, student activities and services, and school personnel management. They also sit in and chair disciplinary committees, ensuring students are well-behaved. They work with the head of departments and the school principal to better the school’s learning environment. Let’s now look at the roles and responsibilities of an assistant principal.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Collaborating with teachers to develop an effective school curriculum
- Regularly meeting with parents to discuss their children’s behaviors and learning problems
- Ensuring that students, as well as personnel, adhere to attendance rules
- Coming up with school safety procedures and ensuring their maintenance in collaboration with other school personnel
- Coordinating the use of school inventory and facilities to ensure successful undertaking of daily activities
- Handling queries and correspondences from different education stakeholders, including parents, teachers, and the general community
- Occasionally supervising teachers by checking up on them in classroom settings
- Maintaining important school systems, including planning, attendance, and performance-related systems
- Assessing teachers and learning materials and identifying areas that need to be improved
- Planning and coordinating all class schedules
- Arranging transportation services for students
- Managing inventory supply by regularly ordering and approving supply orders
- Walking around the school and major hallways to ensure that everything is running smoothly
- Handling disciplinary issues among students by chairing disciplinary meetings or in liaison with parents
- Participating in the hiring and training of staff to maintain or better the school’s performance
- Assessing test scores and identifying areas that need improvement.
- Ensuring that school facilities are in the right state and conditions
- Reporting to the principal on school issues
- Participating in the development and evaluation of educational programs
- Promoting the use of technology in teaching and learning processes
- Regularly communicating with both students and staff
- Promoting a positive and encouraging environment for learning
- Liaising with departmental heads and faculties to prepare annual budgets that meet faculty needs
- Improving positive student behavior by developing a discipline management system in the school
Required Knowledge and Skills
- In-depth knowledge of management techniques and principles
- Excellent leadership skills
- Effective written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work well under pressure
- Excellent supervisory skills
- Strong problem-solving skills
- Attentiveness to details
- Ability to think critically
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Ability to exercise good judgment
- Excellent organizational skills
- High levels of compassion and empathy
- Excellent supervisory skills
- Ability to work in different environments
- Ability to exude confidence and sound judgment
Education and Experience
- Master’s degree or Doctorate in a teachable subject or an administrative field
- A Bachelor’s degree in a teachable subject
- Completion of a state-required testing
- State required certifications
- Proven experience teaching in a classroom setting
- Leadership experience
Salary
Being a management role, assistant principals are paid quite well. Glassdoor estimates that they make close to $100,000 a year, with a base pay of roughly $74,000 and additional payments amounting to $26,000 or thereabout. You will earn more if you later become a senior principal, making roughly $149,000 yearly, base and additional payments combined.
Assistant Principal CV Example 1
George Leonard
Physical address: 9758 Dillard Rd, Wilton, CA, 98678
Email address: leonardogeorge34@gmail.com
Phone number: (916) 678-564
Personal Profile
A professional and licensed educator with 10+ years in classroom teaching and general staff management. A committed and hardworking team worker, ready to abide by all federal, state, and educational board regulations in the management of educational institutions. A natural go-getter is willing to work with different staff members to improve school performance and operations.
Work Experience
04/2019- 08/2022, Assistant Principal, Fervent Group of Schools, Jacksonville FL
- Assisted the principal in the management of a 2000-student member school, ensuring that all operations went smoothly
- Regularly participated in the development and evaluation of different educational programs in collaboration with 50+ educational staff members
- Championed for the use of technology in teaching and learning processes, leading to a reported 40% increase in student engagement
- Worked closely with the principal, staff members, school management, and the general community to offer a positive learning experience to 2000+ students
- Ensured effective and regular communication with students and staff members through conferences, staff meetings, and general assemblies
- Regularly tracked campus performance objectives with the principal through properly maintained information systems
- Coached the school basketball team in 2020 and 2021 to become national champions twice in a row
- Supervised all school operations in the absence of the principal and actively attended to school management duties
- Participated in annual budgeting in support of documented program needs, working closely with 10+ departmental heads
- Regularly monitored students’ attendance and addressed related issues, leading to a 20% fall in school absenteeism
03/2016- 03/2019, Academic Dean, Bell Senior High School, Oakland, CA
- Worked closely with 30+ educators towards the integration of educational resources and initiatives
- Actively participated in the development and implementation of school improvement plans meeting 99% of student achievement needs
- Mentored 20+ new teachers, helping them transition easily into the school environment
- Assisted the principal, assistant principal, and 15 departmental heads in curriculum development and implementation
- Helped the school to come up with successful means for instructional strategies and curriculum standards integration
02/2013- 03/2016, Senior Teacher, Blossom Senior High School, Tampa, FL
- Diligently prepared weekly duty roster for all the 32 staff members, save for the principal, assistant principal, and the dean of students
- Carefully organized and managed the constitution of 12 committees and departments with the help of the assistant principal
- Regularly delegated duties to staff members during various school functions
- Actively participated in the orientation and mentoring of 25 new teachers
- Awarded the best performing teacher in 2018
- Participated in 20+ interviews for new staff members by performing extensive background checks and sitting in interview panels
Education
- 04/2014- 06/2016, Masters of Education in Education Psychology, Kent State University, Ohio
- 02/2008- 05/2012, Bachelor of Arts in Education, University of California, Los Angeles
- 03/2006- 11/2007, High School Diploma, Bell High School, CA
Skills
- Languages
- English
- French
- Spanish
Technical Skills
- Information technology
- Teaching
- Administration
- Curriculum development
- Planning
- Data entry
- Personnel management
- Operating management software
Soft Skills
- Emotional intelligence
- Verbal and written
- Active listening
- Decision making
- Leadership
- Resourcefulness
- Conflict management
- Problem-solving
Certifications
10/2018, Microsoft Certified Educator (MCE)
Assistant Principal CV Example 2
Judith Olivia
Physical address: 45656 Avenida De La Reina, Temecula, CA 94567
Email address: oliviajudy789@gmail.com
Phone number: (934) 607-8907
Personal Profile
A well-trained and licensed educator with 10+ years of experience in teaching and staff management. An avid team worker with excellent oversight and supervisory abilities ready to positively impact school performance and operation. A self-motivated go-getter with in-depth knowledge of management techniques and principles.
Work Experience
05/2019- 08/2022, Assistant Principal, Woods Group of Schools, Naples, FL
- Promoted a positive and caring learning environment for 1500+ students
- Collaborated with 5+ stakeholders, including parents, staff, and community members, in developing school improvement plans
- Oversaw safety and health measures compliance, reducing accidents and health-related occurrences and concerns by 78%
- Maintained inventory of 10+ supplemental and fundamental materials such as books, stationery, and general office supplies
- Supervised all school operations to ensure their smooth running in the absence of the school’s principal
- Directly managed special education classes for 250+ students
- Regularly maintained and updated the school curriculum in collaboration with other staff members, improving general lesson attendance by 25%
- Promoted the adoption of technology in teaching and learning processes, increasing student engagement during lessons by 50%
- Ensured enough student supervision of students outside the class environment, reducing accidents and safety concerns by 75%
- Spearheaded the implementation of an effective student discipline management system, leading to a 30% increase in positive student behavior
- Organized 10+ monthly meetings with teachers, parents, and students to tackle both school and student issues
- Attended an average of 5 professional development conferences yearly for skill improvement and better management
- Awarded the National Vice Principal of the Year by the Educations Board of Florida in 2020
- Elected chairman of the National Vice Principal Association in 2021 after garnering 95% of the votes
04/2016- 05/2019, Associate Principal, Buckley Group of Schools, Oakland, CA
- Regularly communicate with the school principal and 25+ staff members on school and performance issues fostering proper school administration and performance improvement
- Served as a communication link between the school and 100+ parents, ensuring that they were regularly updated on their children’s performance, changes, and general school decisions
- Implemented new teacher evaluations and testing standards for students, leading to a 20% increase in student performance
- Reduced disciplinary cases within the student body by 50% by implementing a new student discipline management system
- Attended, and in the absence of the principal, chaired 5+ staff meetings weekly
- Ensured 100% compliance of school operations with federal and state laws as well as board policy and ministry requirements
- Participated in safety inspections and safety-drill practice activities, reducing accidents by 30%
- Actively participated in the development of teacher assignments and class as well as extracurricular activities schedules for the successful planning of daily school activities
- Regularly reported to the school principal and offered reasonable advice on administrative, educational, and vocational matters for the successful operation of the school
- Created a monthly internal Maths competition for all classes in collaboration with the mathematics department and awarded the first three students per class, increasing Mathematics test performance scores of the school by 60%
- Awarded the Associate Principal of the Year Award by the California Board of Education in 2017
- Maintained a positive learning environment for 100+ students
02/2013- 02/2016, Senior Teacher, Paul H. College Prep School, Fresno, CA
- Carefully selected and constituted members of 10+ school committees and departments
- Attended an average of 10 monthly meetings with the head of committees, mainly geared towards improving student performance in select subjects
- Managed lesson substitution for absent teachers, ensuring that no lesson went untaught
- Participated in the orientation of 20 new teachers, later mentoring them to achieve high-performance standards
- Interviewed 100+ incoming students from other schools, ensuring that the school only admitted disciplined and hardworking students
- Attended at least two weekly meetings with the principal and assistant principal on performance assessment and overall operational management
- Drew weekly duty roster for 30+ teachers
- Participated in the interviewing of 20+ new staff members, ensuring that the school hired able and hardworking professionals
Education
- 05/2013- 08/2015, Masters in Science in Education, University of California, Berkeley
- 03/2006- 10/2010, Bachelor of Education (Physics and Chemistry), University of California, Berkeley
- 02/2003- 11/2005, High School Diploma, Berry College Preparatory School, CA
Skills
- Languages
- English
- French
Technical Skills
- Personnel management
- Tech-savviness
- Teaching
- Information Technology
- Data entry
- Management
- Budgeting
- Planning
- Management software operation
- Teacher development
- Curriculum planning
- MS Suite proficiency
Soft Skills
- Ability to work well in team settings
- Ability to work well under pressure
- Excellent verbal and written communication
- Emotional intelligence
- Adaptability
- Problem-solving
- Resourcefulness
- Stress management
Certifications
10/14, Certified Adapted Physical Educators
Assistant Principal Resume Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Which Keywords Should I Include in My Assistant Resume?
You should write a good resume when applying for a vacant assistant principal position, which is only possible if you know the right keywords. With a well-written resume, you will not only get past the applicant tracking software but also capture the interviewer’s interest, which should be your topmost priority.
Therefore, ensure that any of the following appear in your resume: welfare, innovation, behavior analysis, compliance, communication skills, facilitation, instruction, career development, collaboration, behavior analysis, interpersonal skills, committee management, team building and staff management.
If you are wondering how to include these in your resume, consider mentioning them in the skills and experience sections, which the interviewers are always interested in. A good idea would be to have a separate skill section in your resume, just like we have done in our resume examples.
2. Which Experience Do I Need to Be an Assistant Principal?
You must be highly experienced in different areas to be an assistant principal. This job takes time and can’t be achieved overnight, so your main focus should be on getting hands-on experience and competencies that will help you succeed once appointed as the assistant principal. First, focus on gaining extensive teaching experience as you are expected to have interacted with students in the classroom, teaching your subject of specialization.
You should also have solid experience working in teams and collaborating since you will need other staff members to succeed in your role. So, while working your way up the ladder, learn how to coexist with others and manage expectations. Lastly, you need some leadership or management experience, given that this is a management position.
3. Which Certifications Should I Include in My Resume?
Including relevant certifications in your resume is one of the best ways of showing the hiring manager or potential employer that you are skilled and experienced in your craft. Some of the most common ones for this role include Microsoft Certified Educator (MCE) to help you offer a good custom learning experience for your students, Educational Certificate: K-12(Ed:) by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc., Certified Secondary Culinary Educator (CSCE) by the American Culinary Federation, Inc. or Certified Adapted Physical Educators, which is quite specific.
You can also include certifications that are non-education-related, provided that they bring out your management prowess.
4. Which Technical Skills Should I Include in My Resume?
Technical Skills are standard in every job or career. These competencies and abilities are usually required to perform job-related tasks. Remember that they are trackable, unlike soft skills. To be an excellent assistant principal, ensure that you have the following: Excellent administrative skills, outstanding management skills, information technology skills, e.g., data entry and operating different management software, excellent teaching skills, ability to uphold laws and regulations, technology-savviness, proficiency in MS Suite including Word, Excel and PowerPoint, Excellent reporting skills, Solid oversight skills, planning skills, excellent budgeting skills, ability to participate in curriculum planning, teacher development skills and school personnel management skills.
Remember, all these skills should appear under the technical skills sub-sections of your skills section, just like we have done in our article.
5. Who Should I Expect to Work with as An Assistant Principal
You should expect to work with different professionals, given that this is a management position. First, you must collaborate with the school principal to manage the school and ensure all operations flow smoothly. You will then liaise with departmental heads, academic deans and senior teachers to boost or maintain the performance levels of the school and for curriculum development purposes.
You should also expect to interact with members of the community, students, teachers, non-staff personnel, student administration and vendors.