6 Things You Need to Know Before Pursuing a Principal Certification

It's not just about the piece of paper. You have to know the job.

Let me start with this: I believe in school leadership (obviously). I believe in the power of a good principal to change the trajectory of a campus, a teacher’s life, and a kid’s future.

But I also believe we don’t talk enough about what it actually means to pursue a principal certification. Not the coursework. Not the exam. But what it means to your time, your identity, your relationships, your career—and your bank account.

So, before you sign up for that program or enroll in the practicum that sounds vaguely like a sleep deprivation challenge, here are six things you need to know.

---

1. You’re unlikely to see a financial return

I hate to start here, but let’s be real.

In many districts, the pay bump for becoming a principal doesn’t actually cover the hours, the emotional toll, or the financial investment of certification programs. If you’re coming from a high-salary classroom or specialist role, the jump might feel… underwhelming.

If you’re doing it for the money, you might want to pivot. If you’re doing it for the mission, keep reading.

---

2. You will trade visibility for isolation

When you’re a teacher, you’re known. Students know your weird jokes. Staff see you in action. Your identity is rooted in relationships.

As a principal, the visibility shifts. You're everywhere and nowhere at the same time. You show up in 90-second hallway bursts, at basketball games, at the board room—but rarely where the day-to-day magic happens. And when things go wrong, you're the face of it.

Leadership can be lonely. Build your support system now. You’ll need people who remind you who you are when everything around you is asking, “Why didn’t you…”

---

3. You will do more adult management than student leadership

You might think becoming a principal means leading students on a larger scale. But the job is 90% adults.

You’ll spend your time navigating adult emotions, adult conflict, adult performance, and adult politics. That doesn’t mean it’s not meaningful, but it’s not the same as the joy of teaching, or even coaching teachers.

If you don’t like managing grown-up messiness, this role will eat you alive.

---

4. If you want to see impact, you need to be painfully patient

This one hit me hard.

I thought principals could just come in, set a vision, tighten up instruction, build a culture of trust, and see massive change in a year. Spoiler: that doesn’t happen.

Real transformation in schools is slow, messy, and non-linear. You will plant seeds that don’t sprout until your second or third year—or after you’ve left. You will question whether anything is working. You’ll get blamed for things you inherited, and invisible credit for things you built.

If you can’t stomach delayed gratification, this role will break your heart. If you can, it just might be the most meaningful work you ever do.

---

5. You have to want systems work

Being a good leader isn’t just about vision. It’s about logistics. Schedules. Rosters. Coverage plans. Bus duty. Emergency protocols.

I once worked with a leader who spent two hours adjusting their lunch schedule to avoid a fight between two groups of kids. Glamorous? No. Necessary? Absolutely.

If you hate systems work or find it “beneath you,” think twice. Your school needs a systems thinker who can build consistency, not just charisma.

---

6. Your identity will change—and it might surprise you

This one is personal. You can’t hold on to your “teacher self.” The one who brought snacks to PD and cried during read-alouds. The one who said “yes” to everything because you just wanted to help.

But in the seat, you have to get sharper. More direct. More discerning. You have to say “no” more than you want. You won’t always recognize yourself at first.

The job will ask you to grow—and if you’re not ready to let go of who you were, it’ll hurt. But if you are ready, it might just bring out your strongest version.

---

Final thought

As a school leader recruiter, I’m not here to talk you out of it but I am here to make sure you walk in eyes wide open. Principal certification is not just a hoop. It’s a doorway. On the other hand, there is a role that will stretch you, humble you, and—if you let it—transform you.

Everyone must be willing to ask themselves: Is this the life I want? Or just the next checkbox on a list I didn’t make?

If it’s the former, I’ll be cheering you on every step of the way. If it’s the latter, there are a hundred other ways to lead—and they’re just as worthy.

Consider completing this checklist and getting a true picture of your ambitions.

Check out the checklist linked above.