Fran Riddick, Ed.D.

Educator, lifelong learner, and mom of two who make me better every day. Proud to work in an amazing principal preparation program. Go PACK!

[Danny Steele @SteeleThoughts]

Great principals do a thousand things in a given week. They solve problems, support teachers, calm worried parents, guide students, analyze data, and keep a school moving forward.

It’s complex work. But when you step back and look closely, the most effective principals tend to get a few foundational things consistently right.

Here are ten of the habits that set great principals apart:

1. They recognize the value of every adult in the building. From teachers to custodians to office staff, great principals know that schools succeed because of people. They notice the work others do, and they make a point to say thank you often.

2. They support their teachers—especially when it matters most. Whether the challenge is a difficult student, a frustrated parent, or a tense situation with a colleague, great principals stand beside their teachers. They trust them. They believe in them. And their staff knows they have someone in their corner.

3. They lead from the halls, not just the office. Great principals understand that leadership happens where learning happens. You’ll find them in classrooms, hallways, the lunchroom, the bus line, and at carpool—engaging with students and connecting with staff.

4. They involve others in decisions. Great principals know they don’t have all the answers—and they don’t try to. They seek input, invite perspectives, and empower others to help shape the direction of the school.

5. They stay focused on learning. Student achievement is always on their radar. They spend time in classrooms, encourage strategic instruction, and ensure assessments are meaningful. Most importantly, they help teachers use data to better meet the needs of their students.

6. They cultivate collaboration. Great principals know that teaching can’t be a solo sport. They intentionally create structures and expectations that help teachers learn from one another and grow together.

7. They refuse to settle for the status quo. The best principals hold high expectations—for themselves and for everyone in the building. They articulate a compelling vision and challenge their school community to keep getting better.

8. They protect staff morale. Great principals know that culture matters. They work to create an environment where teachers feel respected, supported, and proud to work.

9. They bring positive energy every day. Schools are emotional places, and leadership energy is contagious. Great principals understand that positivity isn’t optional—it’s essential.

10. They always keep students at the center. Every decision, every conversation, every initiative ultimately comes back to one question: What’s best for kids? Great principals build relationships with students and make sure their well-being and success drive the work of the school.

None of these practices require perfection. But when principals commit to these habits day after day, they create schools where teachers feel supported, students feel valued, and learning thrives.

Cheers,

Danny

[Fran Riddick, Ed.D. @fpriddick]

@JonGordon11 Seven commitments of a great team!

[NELA @NELA_NCSU]

We are thrilled to continue the impactful work of preparing excellent school leaders for NC public schools with the support of a $14+ million grant from the NC Principal Fellows Program! @NCPFellows

[Jimmy Casas @casas_jimmy]

CULTURIZE: Every Student. Every Day. Whatever It Takes.

[Fran Riddick, Ed.D. @fpriddick]

Service over self!

[TCEA @TCEA]

🌟 The 5 P’s of leadership are a powerful framework that highlights key elements essential for effective leadership. Unlock your potential by mastering these principles! 🧠✨

https://t.co/BzWNnH20UV via Notes by Dan
#Leadership #EdChat #ProfessionalGrowth

[Fran Riddick, Ed.D. @fpriddick]

Between being a teacher and an Italian, I catch myself talking loud often.

[Help A Teacher @HelpATeacher]

Yup.

[NELA @NELA_NCSU]

Aspiring school leaders, mark your calendars! ✍️📅🎓 We have NELA MSA information sessions coming up in September. See flyer for dates, times, and the Zoom link. We look forward to meeting you!

[Fran Riddick, Ed.D. @fpriddick]

I am trying to get up to speed on this!

[Nelly; @nrqa__]

ChatGPT Prompting Cheat Sheet;

[Fran Riddick, Ed.D. @fpriddick]

@lance_fusarelli Way to go Jenn!! 🎉

[Fran Riddick, Ed.D. @fpriddick]

I have a lot to learn!

[Jacie Maslyk @DrJacieMaslyk]

Great #AI post from @DitchThatTxtbk

https://t.co/wqRMhN4UER

[Fran Riddick, Ed.D. @fpriddick]

Service over self…

[Fran Riddick, Ed.D. @fpriddick]

Important information for aspiring school leaders.

[𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐝 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧 @DrBradJohnson]

Why do many teachers find professional development (PD) ineffective, boring or worse? PD is typically presented by people trained in pedagogy but not in andragogy, which focuses on engaging adults through relevant, practical, and experience-based methods. See the difference:

[Fran Riddick, Ed.D. @fpriddick]

@lance_fusarelli is this true? 😂😂😂

[Baseball Quotes @BaseballQuotes1]

Accurate

[Fran Riddick, Ed.D. @fpriddick]

This totally made me laugh and recall when we made a PD at summer leadership that had an activity like this.

[TeacherGoals @teachergoals]

Sounds about right. 😂🤣
🌐 https://t.co/leSsDUnQAd

[Fran Riddick, Ed.D. @fpriddick]

@_Brooke_Little I know! I want to dig into it next week!

[Fran Riddick, Ed.D. @fpriddick]

Interesting….

[Brendan O'Sullivan 🇮🇪🇪🇺 @ImtaBrendan]

Researchers at MIT have questioned whether SMART goals (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, time-bound) actually work. They suggest we might get better outcomes if we make our goals FAST (frequently discussed, ambitious, specific and transparent) not SMART.

[Fran Riddick, Ed.D. @fpriddick]

Click and read the full blog post. Definitely worth your time.

[George Couros @gcouros]

"The same curiosity, wonder, and willingness to explore new ideas to understand their benefits (and negatives) we hope from our students is something we need to model in ourselves."

"Learning by example" is paramount to leading by example. https://t.co/tQtJZJb5QO

[Fran Riddick, Ed.D. @fpriddick]

@1_brob @fayobserver Congratulations!!!🎉

[Greg Berge @GregBerge]

Be Grateful.

- Gratitude kills worry.
- Gratitude destroys fear.
- Gratitude makes you happier.
- Gratitude changes your state of mind.