Paths to becoming a principal

Meghan McGinty was always fascinated by the impact that a school principal could have. “They are heroes in a lot of people’s lives,” said McGinty, a Metcalf Elementary School teacher in Morenci, Arizona. 

From the small town of 1,576 people, McGinty, 27, is pursuing a path to becoming a principal through Arizona State University’s Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College.

MLFTC is one of the highest ranked teacher preparation colleges in the country. But the college goes beyond equipping the next generation of teachers. MLFTC’s Educational Leadership (Principalship), MEd program offers several options for those pursuing the principal preparation program. 

“We have created multiple pathways so we can meet the needs of all aspiring leaders,” said Eoline Cary, clinical professional in the Educational Leadership program at MLFTC. “Not everyone is available during the school day, so we have provided different opportunities.”

Students can pursue a master’s degree in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Principalship with ASU Online, a two-year program with approximately 200 students from Arizona, the U.S. and the international community. ASU Online offers classes via asynchronous instruction. Instructors and students are not in the same physical space and do not meet at the same time, allowing students to complete coursework on their own schedules.

ASU Sync is a 14-month program with approximately 20 students that offers regularly scheduled classes via synchronous learning over Zoom. Instructors and students are not in the same physical space but do meet at the same time, offering a live learning experience with peers.

The third option is provided through a partnership with the Mesa School District called Partner School District, Grow Your Own Leaders using Leadership Pathways with Principled Innovation. Principled Innovation is a core value of MLFTC that ensures that changes are guided by principles to create positive outcomes for humanity. 

There are approximately 20 students in this 15-month, in-person program. Classes are held in the Mesa Public School Administrative Services Center and the program features traditional courses as well as those that address challenges unique to Mesa schools.

In sync with other students

McGinty is on the ASU Sync path to principalship. Being able to access a top-ranked school from a mining town just west of New Mexico was a big draw for McGinty, as was the ASU Sync program. She could connect and develop relationships with both students and teachers, and even met them at her graduation ceremony in May.

“Living in a rural area, we don't have a lot of options,” McGinty said. “So the collaboration with peers was a big factor for me in choosing the program. It made all the difference. I say it all the time, I’m so thankful. It really enriched my education.”

Students pursue the path to principalship from a variety of places in their career and for various reasons. For many, like McGinty, it’s the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. For others, it’s a natural evolution from teaching. Still others stumble upon the path and are happy to have done so. 

Principled relationships

Jesse Schattin, 44, believes that becoming a principal is the next step in being able to make a difference in the field of education. 

Schattin teaches band and guitar at Poston Junior High School in Mesa, Arizona. During his 15 years as an educator, Schattin noticed that the school experience varies greatly among student populations. As a school principal, he’d like to change that. 

“I see a very select group of students that are academically motivated and having a positive school experience,” Schattin said. “Other students might not have the opportunity for a positive experience. I want to make a difference so all students are excited and engaged on campus.” 

The answer, he said, is in the quality of the relationships between school leaders and students. 

Schattin is attending MLFTC and working to obtain his Arizona Standard Professional Principal Certificate. He is part of the Grow Your Own Leaders Program cohort that attends in-person classes in Mesa, thanks to a partnership between the Mesa Unified School District and MLFTC. 

Schattin appreciates the principalship program on many levels.

It fits perfectly with his schedule and he says the school has a “stellar” faculty and curriculum. The school's Principled Innovation approach to positive change complements his own relationship values.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity. I really like the direction MLFTC is taking. It syncs directly with my idea of building relationships,” said Schattin, who graduates in December. “If we have positive working relationships with students, parents and other community members, then students can find their passion and see themselves as contributing adults.

Led to leadership 

Patricia Fernandez’s path to becoming a leader began when she left Peru. 

Despite the fact that she had already been an educator in Peru, she was required to return to college to get her teaching degree in the U.S. Fernandez cleaned houses while getting another bachelor’s degree in education and went on to get a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction. She was encouraged by many teachers and colleagues along the way. 

Today, Fernandez, 44, is the World Language and Dual Language Specialist for the Mesa Unified School District. She supports teachers by providing professional learning opportunities, curriculum development and more. 

Fernandez enrolled in the Educational Leadership program because she wanted to be better prepared to help and support her teachers. Fernandez will graduate with Schattin in December.

“Honestly, when I started my career, I never thought I would be in a leadership role. I kind of stepped up to help teachers and it happened naturally. My principal encouraged and empowered me to take a leadership role and that's how I started to see myself.”

She, in turn, is encouraging others to pursue the leadership path at MLFTC.

“It will open doors to become a school leader or district leader and serve students from different backgrounds,” she said. “We definitely need more leaders.” 

Learn more or request information about MLFTC’s Educational Leadership (Principalship), MEd.