Celebrating National School Principals Month

Thoughts from Bob Driver

October is National School Principals Month—a time to recognize the critical role principals play in shaping schools, empowering staff, and guiding students toward success. Principals are far more than managers of buildings; they are leaders of people, architects of culture, and keepers of purpose. Their leadership is not just about tasks and schedules—it is about relationships, inspiration, and turning vision into reality.

Principals who lead with High Purpose provide clarity and direction. They ensure the school’s mission is more than a poster on the wall—it becomes a daily compass that guides curriculum, culture, and partnerships. Every decision, from schedules to budgets, is tied to student learning, belonging, and opportunity. High Purpose creates coherence and alignment.

At the same time, principals drive High Performance by setting clear goals, using evidence to guide decisions, and building systems that sustain excellence. Performance here isn’t pressure—it’s the promise that effort leads to improvement, and improvement leads to better outcomes for all students. And through High People Skills, principals build trust, safety, and professional growth. When staff feel seen and supported, they bring more creativity, resilience, and joy to the work.

Together, High Purpose, High Performance, and High People Skills form the foundation of transformational leadership. During this Principals Month, we thank our principals for their vision, their dedication, and their relentless commitment to creating schools where both students and educators thrive.

To see more from this month’s Connections Newsletter, click below.