As a principal, I wish I knew: When I first stepped into the principal role, I knew I would be responsible for leading instruction, supporting teachers, and creating a positive school culture—but I didn’t fully anticipate how many non-instructional demands would come my way. From district initiatives and parent concerns to building maintenance and lunchroom logistics, I quickly realized that my days would be filled with decisions far beyond the classroom.

I wish I had known how to better prioritize—not just what was urgent but what was truly important. Early on, I often found myself reacting to problems rather than proactively leading. It took time for me to realize that I didn’t have to carry everything alone. I had a team—assistant principals, teachers, support staff, and even students—who could help share the load.

I wish I had leaned more into delegation and shared leadership. There were people around me who wanted to help, but I often felt like it was my responsibility to have all the answers. Once I learned to trust and empower others, I was able to focus more on the big-picture vision of student success rather than getting caught up in every operational detail.

I also wish I had given myself more grace. Being a principal is a marathon, not a sprint. There will always be challenges, but prioritizing relationships, leaning into my leadership team, and keeping the focus on students helped me navigate the daily chaos with greater clarity and confidence.

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I also wish that I had known how to be very clear with all expectations, clear is kind and leads to success!

Jeff Keener

I wish I had been better at slowing everyone down when we were trying to rush to add new programs that were mandated.