5 Top School Administration Jobs
- School Principal
- Vice Principal or Assistant Principal
- School District Superintendent
- School Counselor
- Instructional Coordinator
Anyone who’s thinking of completing a master’s degree program in an educational specialization is likely to be wondering about the options for school administration careers after graduation. Which positions are available for someone who holds a master’s degree in education, educational leadership, school administration or a closely related discipline? Let’s discuss five exciting careers in school administration.
1. School Principal
A school principal carries the responsibility for managing all the teachers and other staff required to run a school. They create the school’s budget, oversee the recruiting and training of school staff, sets academic goals for the students and is active in working within the community to address the issues that are most important to parents and other stakeholders.
Many of the opportunities in school administration require some previous teaching experience, and this is a requirement for most school principal jobs in the public school system, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Some opportunities are also likely to require a current teaching license. For teachers who would like to advance in their careers after having paid their dues for years in the classroom, the position of school principal is an excellent career path to consider.
2. Vice Principal or Assistant Principal
A vice principal acts as an assistant to the school principal. The vice principal’s job is to help fulfill the school’s mission of educating students. They often acts as a liaison between the principal, teachers, students, parents and community members to address disciplinary or other issues in the school. This position typically requires a license, teaching experience and a master’s degree in educational leadership or school administration.
3. School District Superintendent
A school superintendent works with a district’s school board to implement their academic vision and goals. They must oversee the management of multiple schools within a school district, hiring and managing the school principals that work in the district.
This position generally requires previous school administrative work experience. One possible career path for a superintendent would be to work first as a teacher, then as a school principal, guidance counselor or other administrator and then to advance to a superintendent position.
4. School Counselor
A school counselor works closely with students who need help with various aspects of their academic careers. In cases where a student’s attendance is poor, the counselor might interview the student to determine what the issues are. In cases of behavioral problems, a school counselor will intervene to help correct the problems. The counselor might also help students plan for college admissions or careers after graduation.
A school counselor position typically requires at least a master’s degree and may also require licensure, certification or both. Some states may also require their school counselors to have teaching experience, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
5. Instructional Coordinator
Instructional coordinators supervise the choosing and implementation of school curriculum in their areas of expertise. They recommend suitable textbooks and other training materials to teachers. They might also create and help to implement new academic programs and new classes as new technologies emerge.
In general, school administration is a stable career choice. The employment outlook is favorable, with the numbers of US job opportunities generally keeping pace with the growth rate of the rest of the economy.
Related Resources: Top 20 Best Master’s in Educational Leadership Online 2018
There are excellent opportunities for school administrators in both the public and private school system. There are also limited numbers of opportunities for school administrators in state and local governments, private companies and religious organizations. Child day care centers also employ small numbers of school administrators. With so many opportunities available, educators who are interested in pursuing careers in school administration would benefit greatly from considering whether any of these five job titles would fit well with their career aspirations.
