Principal’s Club Offers Stability To A Fragile Education Ecosystem

Over the past several years, the prevailing narrative inside education has focused primarily on students, parents, teachers, and superintendents working to reestablish safe learning environments as they shift from virtual Covid-19 solutions to in-classroom models. In the frenzy of performing triage to keep a fragile education ecosystem alive, principals who act as key facilitators and directors of school experience are being lost in the mix.

Headlines speak of support for teacher burnout and student learning gaps. Yet, principals have been fighting the good fight with little assistance or dialogue concerning their capacity limits and well-being.

A recent Wallace Foundation reports how a National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) survey revealed that four out of ten principals expect to leave the profession in the next three years. The pandemic and increased political tensions top the list of reasons why principals have hastened their decision to depart.

According to the Wallace report, pressures from school board members and constant turmoil since the start of the pandemic exacerbate an already demanding set of responsibilities for principals. “It’s going to shock the education system,” says Aman Dhanda, chief engagement officer at NASSP.

Rather than shocking an already fragile ecosystem, perhaps more focus should land on the concerns of principals. There are already robust coaching models for teachers, and principals have made professional development (PD) and support services front and center of their efforts.

Maybe it’s time principals receive more professional and emotional support themselves. After all, they represent a community unto themselves, and if they can collectively build support networks, the entire education ecosystem benefits. But, as the saying goes, “In case of a cabin pressure emergency, put on your own mask first before assisting others.” Unfortunately, the reverse has been the plight for principals in recent years.

Dr. Omega W. Wilson, President of The Principal’s Club (TPC), not only recognizes that principals are barely surviving in silos of chaos, but she’s determined to do something about it. The Principal’s Club is a web and app-based K-12 leadership coaching community that supports principals through connection, community, resources, and executive leadership coaching.

As a former educator and principal, Dr. Wilson has taken her years of experience and connections to gather accomplished leaders and practitioners into a community of coaching and support. All coaches are former principals and have served in principal supervisory roles with extensive educational experience, including leadership development, school transformation and turnaround, culture efforts, and digital learning.

Her vision is for The Principal’s Club (TPC) to flourish as a national community that provides unparalleled connection and support to K-12 leadership. Already the author of three books: Spiritual Nutrition: From Alpha to Omega, Tips for Aspiring Administrators, and Lead By Example: A 90 Day Journal for Leaders. Dr. Wilson has appeared on CNN, NBC, ABC, and CBS. Undoubtedly committed, passionate, down-to-earth, and approachable, Dr. Wilson is proving to be a perfect example of her simple yet dedicated philosophy: “Lead by example.”

Rod Berger: Omega, I often wonder how timing plays a role in the decisions we make and the paths we pursue. From your perspective, why TPC, why now, and how is the current principal environment ripe for a resource like this?

Omega Wilson: I am a firm believer in knowing that timing is everything. From my perspective, as a former middle and high school principal, and a director of high school education, I’ve had the opportunity to not only walk in a principal's shoes but also oversee the role.

Without hesitation, I believe every principal needs a mentor and a coach. Education has never been for the faint at heart, but it’s even more challenging now, since the onset of the pandemic. The role of a principal has always been tough to manage because it resembles being the mayor of a small town. The position requires a major layer of support to succeed.

A resource like TPC is long overdue, but it is here now. TPC not only allows principals to have coaching at their fingertips, but our company provides coaches with a proven track record of success who believe every principal must and should be supported. In addition, principals are coached by stellar educators who have served as principals and can lead and guide them to the next level of success for themselves and their schools.

As you know, Covid-19 made it difficult for the entire world. Having a resource like TPC at your fingertips during this time of turbulence and uncertainty provides principals with many options— someone to have a verbal conversation with, someone to “chat” with as often as you desire, and most importantly, we provide a library of resources which helps the principal immensely.

Resources can include templates for letters, agendas, calendars, and more. Access to these resources lessens principals' stress levels and provides them with an additional layer of support. We provide a service that eliminates much of the grunt work and stress that principals experience.

Lastly, by utilizing this resource, principals can receive advice and perspective from someone outside their campus. They’re able to not only have access to someone who’s viewing them and their school from an outside lens, but they also have access to someone who can bring innovation and creativity to their school. This type of support helps the principal become more confident in fulfilling their duties and responsibilities.

Berger: How much of the TPC effort is directed at educating leaders that coaching can be fruitful compared to past professional development (PD) offerings? How prepared do you believe the principalship is ready for TPC?

Wilson: Principalship is hungry for TPC’s offerings mainly because of our level of innovation. I’m not aware of another platform that offers immediate coaching and feedback while providing a bank of unlimited resources at your fingertips. TPC is a dream come true for principals.

In most cases, I’ve witnessed principals being “assigned” a coach, and at the close of business, the coach walks away, only to possibly return later in the week. By utilizing our unlimited “chat” feature, our coaches can support principals beyond the close of business to help them with problems and issues they may experience. Additionally, with TPC, principals can select their coach by viewing their profile, including their experience and skillset.

I’ve noticed many past PD offerings are somewhat vague and not specific to the principal, but in some areas, they are beneficial. With TPC, principals can work 1:1 and receive executive coaching from an experienced coach. Our model is fruitful and affordable. Principals can share specific situations they are experiencing and receive feedback without feeling judged.

Berger: Is it fair to assume that TPC has the opportunity to expand the overall community of engaged principals across the country? I would imagine that normalizing the challenges of the position and providing requisite support through coaching might propel school leaders to engage more consistently with one another. Is this correct, or am I overstating the potential impact of TPC on the greater principal community across the country?

Wilson: Yes, that’s a fair statement. We have coaches throughout the country that help us work with principals everywhere.

You are not overstating the potential impact of TPC. We launched TPC on June 1 of this year, and I must say that superintendents and members of senior leadership in school systems are rather stunned and excited to see the design of our unique app.

I’m confident that superintendents and principals who are members will recommend TPC to their colleagues. We designed the app from the eyes of a principal. We thought about what we needed when we served in past roles and polled principals about what is now required.

As principals engage with TPC and recognize the benefits of our program, there will be an impact on the greater principal community across the country.

Berger: Is it possible that future colleges of education and programs based on educational leadership will look to integrate the principles of TPC into the development and ongoing support of current and future generations of school leaders?

Wilson: Yes, as a former adjunct professor at three universities, I believe that colleges of education and educational programs will look to integrate TPC.

It’s no secret that educators are leaving the profession daily. Unfortunately, much of this stems from a lack of support from senior leadership. The ability to lean on our services in real-time will give aspiring principals an opportunity and advantage they would not experience otherwise. In addition, realizing that this level of support is available provides security and support for principals preparing to serve in their roles.

The challenges of principals are often quietly managed from the sidelines of the education community. However, that doesn't mean their hurdles are easily overcome without the support and understanding of all involved. The Principal’s Club is set up to coach leaders to their highest potential while supporting professional camaraderie, reducing burnout, and increasing leadership retention in all environments.

In an education ecosystem often operating in triage mode, efforts like Dr. Omega W. Wilson and her team at TPC are providing more than a tourniquet to a sector of the education community often considered self-reliant and individually resilient. Community coaching and support efforts not only create a more healthy and prepared principal population but spread out in positive, impactful ways to all involved.

Maybe with the advancement of community-building efforts, education can begin operating outside of emergency modes toward forward-thinking healthy models that flourish rather than barely sustain the status quo.

Principals can finally take solace in a resource specifically built for them. The time has come. The club is now open.

Interviews have been edited and condensed for clarity.