The arrival of a new principal and the school staff: The former principal and the first weeks in post

Izhar Oplatka, Hamutal Ben Or

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore teachers’ responses to the arrival of new principals (NPs) into their school. More specifically, the paper poses three questions: How do teachers perceive the arrival of an NP into their school? How do teachers cope with the arrival of an NP? What are the factors affecting teachers’ responses towards the arrival of an NP? Design/methodology/approach: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 Israeli teachers who experienced the arrival of an NP into their school during the last three years. Findings: The perceived image of the former principal in the teachers’ lounge and the manner in which s/he left principalship seem to greatly influence teachers’ responses towards the NP. Likewise, the first personal conversations of the NP with the teachers are highly influential on their responses to his/her arrival into their school. Originality/value: The paper sheds light on the critical role of emotions towards the former principal in the induction stages of NPs.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)492-504
Number of pages13
JournalInternational Journal of Educational Management
Volume34
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 12 Mar 2020
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Beginning principals
  • Caring
  • Empathy
  • Principal succession
  • The former principal

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Education
  • Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management

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