The question of visibility is one that teachers and principals, but especially principals should consider. It seems to me that a universal problem is visibility.

Many principals are often not in their schools because they are off at meetings, conferences and other professional development activities. Surely, their major focus should be on the ground, in their schools.

I know of students in schools who don’t know who the principal is, because they are never there. They identify the ‘principal’ as being a deputy leader or senior teacher who provides principal leadership in the regular absence of the real being.

My firm belief is that school princippals should primarily focus on their schools. Being there is part of that focus. Being known to students, staff and community is an element of role responsibility that should never be abrogated.