Susan Samaha

Final Assignment
OLPD 5348
Leaders of Human Resources Administration

The role of a principal requires knowing the law, implementing rules for all

equally and knowing when too much is enough. In this course, I have learned

how to handle different situations. I have also learned the importance of job

descriptions, investigations, matching discipline with the offense and the rules for

having a leave of absences. I can be a just and fair principal who also has

compassion.

Learning about job descriptions and resumes was really critical for starting

this course. As I look into hiring teachers, counselors, social workers, educational

assistances and other positions, I need to make sure all the details are in the job

descriptions. Making sure I ask that the person, can you perform the essential

functions of the job description? is essential if a problem shall arise. Being a

principal and knowing the roles and responsibilities of each member in the

building helps me be a better manager for the staff. Knowing the job descriptions

also help writing job descriptions easier. This connected well to preparing

interview questions.

It was very important to learn about what data is private and public. Most

personnel data is private. When people ask for data, they have the right to any

public information, but I do not have to sort it or making it nice for them. I also

enjoyed learning about letter of recommendations and references. Its important

to not hold people back, even if they play an important role in my building. This
was connected to showing appreciation to staff in a personal way. I want to stay

away from the usual way of acknowledging staff and be more creative with

recognition. The learning around support new teachers and new support is very

important. I want to make sure that I have a building orientation for all my staff at

the beginning of the school year. This would be a critical time to go over district

rules, policies and answer questions staff might have regarding past practices.

Learning about the Weingarten Right, Tennessen Warning, Garrity

Warning and Loudermill Hearing were all new learning for me. These are

definitely important in investigating and giving people their due process.

I want to be a principal that is known to follow the book, but also allow

room for people to grow by stopping past practices. My number one responsibility

is to make sure all students and staff are safe. Human resources allows for rules

to be put in place, so the building staff can focus on instruction. I need to be

mindful from the first day of expectations and remind staff through out the school

year of certain rules and expectations. At the end of the day, I also know that

contacting the HR department and the General Counsel is important in making

sure I am making the correct decisions. I have learned that being a principal isnt

only about being an instructional leader, but also as a human resources

manager.