Principal Resume Examples
Years of Experience
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- #2
- #3
Holly Macnamara
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Your Street, Boston, MA 12345
Profile
A Principal with five years of experience within the education industry, specializing in faculty administration, organizational leadership, and curriculum development. A strong history of managing school operations and identifying opportunities to refine education for students.
Professional Experience
Principal, Boston Elementary, Boston, MA
May 2018 – Present
- Manage a team of 30+ teachers, office administrators, and school personnel, evaluate the effectiveness of instruction and education strategies
- Coordinate with faculty to conduct curriculum planning based on student data, resulting in a 15% increase in average PSAT scores across the school
- Establish and build safe and inclusive classroom environments for students, including coordinating anti-bullying and cultural awareness events
Assistant Principal & Teacher, Falmouth Middle School, Falmouth, MA
September 2016 – May 2018
- Coordinated with the head principal to lead a team of 20+ teachers and office staff, including HR administrative functions and completed performance evaluations
- Provided instruction to classes of up to 25+ fifth grade students in Math and utilized differentiated instruction techniques to facilitate academic growth
Education
Master of Education (M.E.) Education Administration
Boston University, Boston, MA May 2016 – May 2018
Bachelor of Education (B.E.)
Boston University, Boston, MA September 2012 – May 2016
Key Skills
- Educational Leadership
- Operations Management
- Program Development
- Curriculum Development
- Strategic Planning
Certifications
- Principal Certification, State of Massachusetts, 2018
- Single Subject Teaching Certification, Math, State of Massachusetts, 2016
Kevin Danner
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Your Street, Nashville, TN 12345
Profile
A Principal with eight years of professional experience, specializing in policy development, program management, educational leadership, and school administration. A proven track record of guiding the implementation of new education strategies to drive student-centered learning.
Professional Experience
Principal, Nashville High School, Nashville, TN
May 2016 – Present
- Oversee a team of 45+ teachers, school counselors, administrators, and facilities personnel for a high school with over 500+ students, evaluate teaching performance, and ensure compliance with school policies and quality standards
- Lead initiatives to refine curriculum using student-centered learning modalities and implement SAT prep programs, resulting in a 20% improvement in average SAT scores
- Develop and implement intervention strategies for students with learning disabilities, behavioral disorders, and academic struggles
Principal, Steinburgh High School, Nashville, TN
September 2013 – May 2016
- Managed, developed, and hired a team of 35 educators, counselors, administrative assistants, and teacher aides, oversaw daily operations for a high school with 400+ pupils, and provided constructive feedback on teaching performance
- Led the development of school policies and education programs and coordinated with faculty to identify opportunities to improve curriculum and lesson plans
- Interfaced with classroom teachers and parents to discuss academic performance, behavioral conduct, and disciplinary measures
Education
Master of Education (M.E.) Education Administration
University of Nashville, Nashville, TN May 2011 – May 2013
Bachelor of Education (B.E.)
University of Nashville, Nashville, TN September 2007 – May 2011
Key Skills
- Policy Development
- School Administration
- Individualized Education Plans (IEPs)
- Student-Centered Learning
- Team Management
Certifications
- Principal Certification, State of Tennessee, 2011
Sarah Dolan
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Your Street, Philadelphia, PA 12345
Profile
A Principal with 10+ years of experience building high-quality education programs and inclusive school communities. A strong background in managing interdisciplinary teams and overseeing multimillion-dollar operating budgets. Adept at driving change management initiatives and developing new education strategies to drive student success.
Professional Experience
Principal, North Philadelphia High School, Philadelphia, PA
May 2016 – Present
- Manage a team of 60 educators, office staff, and school personnel, oversee all aspects of daily operations for a high school with 700+ students, and lead the development and allocation of a $1.5M operating budget
- Plan and implement community outreach initiatives and school events to foster positive relationships across faculty, students, and parents
- Lead the development and implementation of college prep programs and academic advisory services, resulting in a 30% increase in successful college admissions
Principal, Penncrest High School, Media, PA
September 2011 – May 2016
- Oversaw a team of 45 teachers and personnel and led all aspects of policy development and school administration for an academic institution with 450+ students
- Spearheaded change management efforts to redesign curriculum with a focus on group-based learning and differentiated instruction, resulting in a 10% increase in GPAs
- Coordinated with teachers, students, and parents to ensure adherence to high standards of academic performance, attendance, and behavioral conduct
Education
Master of Education (M.E.) Education Administration
Temple University, Philadelphia, PA May 2009 – May 2011
Bachelor of Education (B.E.)
Temple University, Philadelphia, PA September 2005 – May 2009
Key Skills
- Educational Leadership
- Program Management
- Community Outreach
- School Administration
- Change Management
Certifications
- Principal Certification, State of Pennsylvania, 2011
Common Key Skills and Action Verbs for Principal Resumes
Employers rely on Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to identify qualified candidates who fit their organizational needs. To ensure that your resume is fully optimized for the initial ATS scan, you need to tactically integrate specific keywords from the job description into your resume. Showcasing key skills and action verbs that the hiring manager is looking for will also increase your chances of landing the interview. Be sure to provide specific examples of using these skill sets during your education career to demonstrate your hands-on experience. Below, you’ll find a list of potential keywords that you may encounter during the job search.
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Academic Policies | Admissions |
| Behavioral Analysis | Budget Management |
| Communication | Community Outreach |
| Cross-Functional Leadership | Change Management |
| Classroom Management | Curriculum Development |
| Curriculum Planning | Educational Leadership |
| Education Technology | Operations Management |
| Policy Development | Process Improvement |
| Program Development | Program Management |
| Public Relations | School Administration |
| School Operations | Student Counseling |
| Student Enrollment | Student-Centered Learning |
| Relationship Building | Teaching |
| Team Management | |
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Analyzed | Built |
| Collaborated | Coordinated |
| Conducted | Created |
| Designed | Developed |
| Directed | Drove |
| Enhanced | Evaluated |
| Examined | Identified |
| Implemented | Improved |
| Led | Managed |
| Oversaw | Planned |
| Provided | Resolved |
| Spearheaded | Supported |
Tips for Writing a Principal Resume
Quantify your education experience
Highlighting numbers and metrics from your education experience will enhance the impact of your professional achievements and help grab potential employers’ attention. Quantifying your accomplishments creates a sense of scope for the hiring manager and showcases your ability to create value for academic institutions. For example, you may want to establish how many students were enrolled at your school or the size of the operating budget you managed. Strategically integrating numbers into your bullet points will draw the reader’s eye and help you to tell your story better. Below, you’ll find some examples to help you quantify your education experience.
Example #1
Good
Managed daily operations for a leading high school with 550+ students, oversaw the development of a $1.3M annual budget, and identified opportunities to operating costs by 10% by restructuring three departments
Bad
Led operations for a large high school with many students, managed the annual budget, and successfully reduced operating costs
Example #2
Good
Developed academic policies and education programs for a high school with 600+ pupils and led process improvement efforts to refine curriculum and education strategies, which improved average standard scores from 81.3 to 87.4
Bad
Responsible for creating policies and programs for a high school with hundreds of students, helped improve strategies and curriculum, and increased average standard scores
Feature your leadership abilities
Leadership skills are essential for success as a school principal. To attract interest from prospective employers, you need to demonstrate your experience in managing faculty, students, and all aspects of school operations. Your ability to communicate effectively with various personnel and build relationships will help differentiate you from the competition. Hiring managers want to see that you’re the right fit for the organization, and the best way to accomplish this is by showcasing specific examples of your leadership capabilities.
Below, you’ll find examples to help you properly integrate this experience into your resume.
Example #1
Good
Oversaw the transition to virtual learning during the global pandemic and coordinated with faculty, parents, and administration to implement Covid-19 safety protocols during the return to in-classroom instruction, including mask mandates and social distancing policies
Bad
Helped the school transition to virtual learning, supported the implementation of protocols, and worked with faculty to bring students back to the classroom
Example #2
Good
Managed a team of 20+ teachers, led collaborative meetings to develop education programs and school curriculum, and provided coaching and mentorship to drive professional development, enhance teaching performance, and build inclusive learning environments for students
Bad
Supervised a team of teachers, facilitated team meetings to analyze curriculum, maintained satisfactory working relationships, and provided feedback on performance
How to Align Your Resume With the Job Description
To generate traction during your job search you’ll need to incorporate specific keywords that match the job description requirements. Organizations utilize Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to narrow the applicant pool during the initial screening process. If your document fails to achieve specific benchmarks, your resume may be automatically rejected. Tailoring your resume to the job posting is the best strategy to get your resume into the hiring manager’s hands and make a positive impression on prospective employers.
When determining what skill sets to feature on your resume, you should carefully analyze how the job description presents the information. Keywords that appear within the first two paragraphs are likely to be present in the initial ATS scan. If you notice a key term being mentioned more than once, you should prioritize featuring the qualification closer to the top of your document to maximize visibility. Below, you’ll find an example to help you tailor your resume to the job description.
Principal Job Description Example
XYZ Middle School is a leading elementary school named one of the best places to work in New York. Put your educational leadership and program development skills to the test in a fast-paced academic environment. We’re seeking an experienced principal who excels in curriculum development and change management to help us continue to build a safe and inclusive learning environment for our students.
Responsibilities:
- Responsible for all aspects of school administration, policy development, and curriculum planning for an elementary school with 300 students
- Oversee daily operations management and administrative functions, including student enrollment, budget management, and classroom management
Qualifications:
- Master’s of education degree in education administration required
- State of New York Principal Certification required
- 4-5 years of professional experience as a school principal
- Strong communication and public relations skills
According to the job description, the ideal job applicant should have the following qualities and/or experience:
- Principal
- Educational Leadership
- Education Administration
- School Administration
- Curriculum Development
- Change Management
- Policy Development
- Curriculum Planning
- Operations Management
- Student Enrollment
- Classroom Management
- Budget Management
- Communication
- Public Relations
- Change Management
- Program Development
Next, take what you highlighted from the job description and include your experience and skills that match. Below is an example of how to incorporate them in your resume to your advantage:
Principal Work Experience Example
Profile
An accomplished Principal with six years of professional experience, specializing in educational leadership, school administration, and public relations. A strong history of leading change management initiatives to refine curriculum development and drive student success.
Principal
Brooklyn Elementary, October 2016 – Present
- Oversee budget management functions for over $1.6M in school funds, coordinate with faculty to lead curriculum planning and implementation, and evaluate classroom management techniques to ensure quality delivery of instruction
- Manage education administration functions across the school, including program development and policy development activities
Key Skills
- Educational Leadership
- Operations Management
- Public Relations
- Student Enrollment
- Communication