Did you know that there are more female principals than male ones? Or that the average U.S. principal is a white woman in her late 40s who has a master’s degree and four to nine years of experience as a principal and 10 to 19 years as a teacher? These facts are highlighted in an Education Week article, which relies on federal data for statistics.

The article highlights the following facts about the profession:

1. More than three-quarters of public school principals are white.
2. They earn an average salary of $113,470 annually.
3. Principals in the suburbs make on average $125,170, while rural principals earn $97,190.
4. Most principals have at least a decade of classroom teaching experience.
5. Principals vary in their decision making powers over curriculum.Some principals select materials for their school, while others pick from a district- or state-approved list.

Principals can be compared to a town’s mayor or company manager.

They provide leadership, set a vision, and complete administrative tasks. They keep tabs on what goes on inside the building, hire and evaluate staff, set an agenda for teaching and learning, and manage school safety. They help shape the master schedule and sit in on parent meetings. Like a good manager, a good principals aims to create a positive culture in the building.

What makes a good, strong principal?

1. The best principals offer actionable feedback to teachers, endorsing effective pedagogical practices;
2. They create caring, nurturing environments and support novice and veteran teachers.
3. They communicate with their staff proactively and often.
4. They offer teachers autonomy in their work.
5. They understand the qualities of effective professional development.
6. They show strong administrative skills for managing budgets and resources, hiring, and maintaining facilities.

What happens when a school has a weak principal ? Student learning suffers. According to studies, replacing a below-average principal with an above-average one can add between 2.7 to 3.8 months of student learning during the school year.