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What does an elementary assistant principal do?

Updated January 8, 2025
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Elementary assistant principal responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real elementary assistant principal resumes:

  • Create a PBIS system for teachers on how to manage behavior on a daily basis and reward positive outcomes.
  • Work with special educators in implementing the IEP for special education students to appropriately facilitate their instructional needs.
  • Provide supervision and oversight to the middle and high school students and staff.
  • Use BIE indicators for communications and promoting expectations for high-level performance to faculty, staff and students.

Elementary assistant principal skills and personality traits

We calculated that 9% of Elementary Assistant Principals are proficient in Professional Development, Instructional Strategies, and Support Services. They’re also known for soft skills such as Decision-making skills, Interpersonal skills, and Leadership skills.

We break down the percentage of Elementary Assistant Principals that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Professional Development, 9%

    Planned and coordinated training and professional development; and assisted with the development of an instructional improvement plan.

  • Instructional Strategies, 8%

    Planned and conducted workshops on effective instructional strategies.

  • Support Services, 7%

    Established articulation with public and private sector support services for lifelong learning opportunities for students.

  • Student Achievement, 6%

    Supervised/evaluated certified and classified employees and students, by promoting high expectations for student achievement and staff performance.

  • Instructional Program, 6%

    Designed and implemented an instructional program that utilizes diverse student level data to drive instructional improvement.

  • Public Schools, 6%

    Focused Instructional Coach Worcester Public Schools - Worcester, MA 2009-2012

Most elementary assistant principals use their skills in "professional development," "instructional strategies," and "support services" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential elementary assistant principal responsibilities here:

Decision-making skills. The most essential soft skill for an elementary assistant principal to carry out their responsibilities is decision-making skills. This skill is important for the role because "because principals are responsible for students, staff, and the overall operation of the school, they consider many factors when making decisions." Additionally, an elementary assistant principal resume shows how their duties depend on decision-making skills: "analyzed academic achievement data and instructional strategies to make appropriate educational decisions to improve classroom instruction. "

Interpersonal skills. Many elementary assistant principal duties rely on interpersonal skills. "principals work with teachers, parents, and superintendents and must develop positive working relationships with them.," so an elementary assistant principal will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways elementary assistant principal responsibilities rely on interpersonal skills: "interacted with faculty, staff, parents and students demonstrating outstanding interpersonal communication skills and effective classroom management. "

Leadership skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of elementary assistant principals is leadership skills. This skill is critical to many everyday elementary assistant principal duties, as "principals set educational goals and establish policies and procedures for the school." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "lead the academic leadership team in tracking clear school goals and adjusting instructional strategies based on student progress. "

Problem-solving skills. For certain elementary assistant principal responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "problem-solving skills." The day-to-day duties of an elementary assistant principal rely on this skill, as "teachers, students, and other staff report problems to the principal." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what elementary assistant principals do: "created master schedule and resolved issues with student schedules by collaborating with guidance counselors as well as department chairpersons. "

Communication skills. Another crucial skill for an elementary assistant principal to carry out their responsibilities is "communication skills." A big part of what elementary assistant principals relies on this skill, since "principals must communicate effectively with students, teachers, and parents." How this skill relates to elementary assistant principal duties can be seen in an example from an elementary assistant principal resume snippet: "promote expectations for staff performance regarding instructional strategies, classroom management, and communication with the public. "

See the full list of elementary assistant principal skills

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Elementary Assistant Principal Resume
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Elementary Assistant Principal Resume
Elementary Assistant Principal Resume
Elementary Assistant Principal Resume
Elementary Assistant Principal Resume
Elementary Assistant Principal Resume
Elementary Assistant Principal Resume
Elementary Assistant Principal Resume
Elementary Assistant Principal Resume
Elementary Assistant Principal Resume
Elementary Assistant Principal Resume
Elementary Assistant Principal Resume

Compare different elementary assistant principals

Elementary assistant principal vs. School director

A school director oversees educational programs, ensuring everything runs smoothly and efficiently. They typically gather and analyze data, review reports, monitor faculty staff's performance and the progress of all teaching methods, and resolve issues should any arise. They usually work together with the teaching staff to research and develop educational curricula and programs, participate in hiring educators, and supervise staff. Moreover, a school director leads and encourages the workforce to reach goals while implementing the school's policies and regulations, developing new ones when necessary.

We looked at the average elementary assistant principal salary and compared it with the wages of a school director. Generally speaking, school directors are paid $8,662 lower than elementary assistant principals per year.Even though elementary assistant principals and school directors are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require professional development, student achievement, and public schools in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between elementary assistant principals and school director. For instance, elementary assistant principal responsibilities require skills such as "instructional strategies," "support services," "instructional program," and "english language." Whereas a school director is skilled in "k-12," "social work," "kids," and "math." This is part of what separates the two careers.

School directors earn the highest salaries when working in the education industry, with an average yearly salary of $62,751. On the other hand, elementary assistant principals are paid more in the education industry with an average salary of $72,356.school directors tend to reach lower levels of education than elementary assistant principals. In fact, school directors are 15.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.0% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Elementary assistant principal vs. Superintendent

Superintendents oversee the administration of schools in a specific school district. They manage the educational programs of each school and create strategic decisions to ensure that the students are learning important subjects. They also supervise school administrators or principals and are responsible for hiring and guiding them. Superintendents should be familiar with their constituents and must always be ready to listen to their needs. It is important that superintendents are good decision-makers and communicators. They are expected to lead their respective districts in achieving their vision. Superintendents drive the team towards their goals and create strategic steps to ensure success.

Superintendent positions earn higher pay than elementary assistant principal roles. They earn a $5,233 higher salary than elementary assistant principals per year.

Each career also uses different skills, according to real elementary assistant principal resumes. While elementary assistant principal responsibilities can utilize skills like "instructional strategies," "support services," "student achievement," and "instructional program," superintendents use skills like "osha," "quality standards," "construction management," and "logistics."

Superintendents may earn a higher salary than elementary assistant principals, but superintendents earn the most pay in the construction industry with an average salary of $85,679. On the other hand, elementary assistant principals receive higher pay in the education industry, where they earn an average salary of $72,356.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Superintendents tend to reach lower levels of education than elementary assistant principals. In fact, they're 30.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Elementary assistant principal vs. School superintendent

A school superintendent leads and oversees a school district, working with school leaders to ensure that operations run smoothly and efficiently according to standards and regulations. They are primarily in charge of establishing short and long-term goals, developing strategies to meet them. They are also responsible for supervising the employment procedures, selecting the ideal resources to support the students' and schools' needs, monitoring operations, and solving issues and concerns when any arise. Moreover, a school superintendent has the authority to make significant decisions while adhering to the district's vision and mission.

An average school superintendent eans a higher salary compared to the average salary of elementary assistant principals. The difference in salaries amounts to school superintendents earning a $16,116 higher average salary than elementary assistant principals.By looking over several elementary assistant principals and school superintendents resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "professional development," "student achievement," and "public schools." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from elementary assistant principal resumes include skills like "instructional strategies," "support services," "instructional program," and "student discipline," whereas a school superintendent is more likely to list skills in "k-12," "school administration," "strategic plan," and "financial stability. "

School superintendents typically earn lower educational levels compared to elementary assistant principals. Specifically, they're 11.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 7.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Elementary assistant principal vs. Curriculum director

Curriculum directors average a lower salary than the annual salary of elementary assistant principals. The difference is about $12,779 per year.While both elementary assistant principals and curriculum directors complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like student achievement, instructional program, and public schools, the two careers vary in some skills.

Even though a few skill sets overlap between elementary assistant principals and curriculum directors, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, an elementary assistant principal might have more use for skills like "professional development," "instructional strategies," "support services," and "student discipline." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of curriculum directors require skills like "professional development workshops," "k-12," "child care," and "language arts. "

In general, curriculum directors earn the most working in the non profits industry, with an average salary of $63,521. The highest-paying industry for an elementary assistant principal is the education industry.In general, curriculum directors hold lower degree levels compared to elementary assistant principals. Curriculum directors are 9.8% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 2.7% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of elementary assistant principal

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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