"Instead of being a means of educational improvement, standardized testing has become an obsession in itself." Sir Ken Robinson

It's been a year since I have been out of the role of principal in a public school system. Although I work with public schools in a new capacity, it's definitely been a challenge to let go of the role I held for many years. Maybe it was being in a great district, with an awesome staff and parents, or maybe it was the day-to-day interaction trying to engage students, but the role of the principal is one that never leaves you, even after you may leave it.

Unfortunately, that role is changing a great deal, especially in New York State where I spent 11 years as a teacher and the last 8 as a principal. A changing role is not a bad thing. After all, there is a lot of dialogue happening in articles, blogs and social media about whether principals should be called Lead Learner, Instructional Leader or some combination of both because there is an increased need for principals who will be heavily engaged in the learning happening in their schools.

Principals, teachers, students and parents working in partnership around the goal of learning.

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