The Novice Assistant Principal: Support Needs in the Transition to the Administrative Role

Authors

Alyssa Nicole Maestas, Florida International UniversityFollow

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Major/Program

Educational Leadership

First Advisor's Name

Tonette Rocco

First Advisor's Committee Title

Committee chair

Second Advisor's Name

Daniel Saunders

Second Advisor's Committee Title

Committee member

Third Advisor's Name

Joyce Fine

Third Advisor's Committee Title

Committee member

Fourth Advisor's Name

Ricardo Garcia

Fourth Advisor's Committee Title

Committee member

Keywords

assistant principal, administration, support, novice, leadership, education

Date of Defense

6-18-2021

Abstract

Novice assistant principals are expected to be ready to serve as key leaders in a school from the first day of their appointment as a school administrator. Research has shown that the role of assistant principal is multi-faceted, the pace of the job is unrelenting, the level of responsibility is overwhelming, and the number of new tasks encountered is daunting (Barnett, et al., 2012; Craft et al., 2016). This study examined how novice assistant principals experienced support as they transitioned into the administrative role. The researcher used a phenomenological research design for the collection of data. The results indicated that novice assistant principals overwhelmingly relied on the informal support network of their assistant principal colleagues as they navigated the transition to their new administrative role. Participants also cited the effectiveness of relevant, systematic induction and support programs for novice administrators and meetings for all school administrators. vi The conclusions reached in this qualitative phenomenological study suggest school district leaders consider the adoption of a research-based model of induction and professional development practices to support novice school leaders.

Identifier

FIDC010249

Recommended Citation

Maestas, Alyssa Nicole, "The Novice Assistant Principal: Support Needs in the Transition to the Administrative Role" (2021). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 4718.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/4718