Coping with a New School Principal: Contested Perspectives on "Parachuted" VS. "Home-Grown" School Principals

Abstract

This study examined the perspectives of elementary school teachers regarding new school principals. Some of the principals were promoted within the school system – often considered as "home-grown principals" – while others were "parachuted" or "dropped" into their management position, often considered as "outsider principals." The Results of this research show that most teachers are concerned about new principals, yet they hope for a better era. Substantially, teachers usually compare between old managers and new managers. Thus, the acceptance of a new principal is interrelated with the teachers' perception of the former manager. There are also differences between the acceptance of an "outsider" principal and the acceptance of a "home-grown" principal. The teachers' expectations from the new principal, however, are interwoven with their urge to prove themselves to the new principal.