Educators who want to take the next step in their careers can do so by training for roles in educational leadership. As decision makers, educational leaders help students thrive through a broad, systems-based approach. Opportunities abound for educational leaders at every level of authority and instruction.
Opportunities in Educational Leadership
All educational leadership job data is from PayScale.
High School Principal
High school principals serve as the top level of leadership within high school settings. These professionals are responsible for hiring teachers, delegating funds and ensuring their institutions meet state and federal requirements. They also serve as the final word in student discipline and help improve educational standards when necessary. Private school principals may also be responsible for setting admission standards for their institutions.
High school principals may be required to work more than 40 hours a week. Those who want to enter this career must earn a certification for principalship valid in their state and have several years of teaching and/or school administration experience. High school principals earn an average annual salary of $89,282.
Assistant Principal
Assistant principals serve as the second-in-command to principals. Their duties are similar. Those in this role are responsible for enforcing discipline, facilitating professional development and helping create a cohesive educational vision for their institutions. The assistant principal may serve in the role of principal if he or she is unavailable.
Those who work as assistant principals are usually employed in middle and high schools. They work full time, often beyond 40 hours a week. To enter this career, individuals need a certifying credential, as well as several years of licensed teaching experience. Assistant principals earn an average annual salary of $71,364.
Curriculum Coordinator
Curriculum coordinators are responsible for managing all aspects of learning curricula for schools and organizations. They may be in charge of compiling state education surveys, managing testing programs within their school district and compliance with state and federal curriculum requirements. Additionally, they may visit schools to support teachers and help improve their instruction methods.
Those in this career may work in public schools, private schools, community centers, child education programs or county or state governments. They typically work full time. While a bachelor’s degree is generally required, a master’s degree may help curriculum coordinators compete in the job market. Some curriculum coordinators may be required to have a valid teaching license. Curriculum coordinators earn an average annual salary of $49,234.
School Superintendent
School superintendents oversee the workings of an entire school system. These professionals may be responsible for developing budgets and managing expenditures, recruiting and hiring staff and developing goals and policies for their school district. They may also oversee school infrastructure efforts, including building maintenance and construction.
The job of a school superintendent is full-time and year-round. Those in this role normally have a post-baccalaureate degree and may have previous experience in both teaching and leadership roles. School superintendents earn an average annual salary of $116,560.
Dean of Students
Deans of students are responsible for ensuring all students at their institution have the resources they need to thrive. They work with students themselves, as well as parents and teachers, to make sure all students have a safe and enjoyable environment. Duties might range from preparing enrichment activities to overseeing support staff to observing and evaluating instructors. If necessary, deans may investigate cases of teacher misconduct and provide disciplinary action.
Those in this career work full time. Deans of students can be found at a range of education levels, from preschool and kindergarten to college level. To enter this career, a master’s degree is usually required, as is previous school administration experience. Deans of students earn an average annual salary of $62,605.
Preparing to Lead
For working education professionals ready to go further in their careers, the Master’s in Educational Leadership online program at the University of West Florida can successfully offer the training they need to advance. The program fully prepares graduates for the Florida Educational Leadership Exam. Offered fully online, the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership offers the flexibility to study on a schedule that fits around work and life commitments.