TAMPA, Fla. — Educators just celebrated School Principals Week, recognizing the contributions and impacts principals make in their schools and communities.

While they were celebrating, there were some educators who were coming up with plans to diversify the principal population in schools.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, of all public-school principals, 77% were white, 10% were Black and 9% were Hispanic. The numbers for private schools were similar. 


What You Need To Know

  • According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2020-23 of all public-school principals, 77% were white, 10% were Black and 9% were Hispanic

  • Of the principal population, 1% or less each were of two or more races, Asian, American Indian/Alaska Native and Pacific Islander
           
  • The percentage of public school principals who were white was lower in 2020–21 than in 2011–12 (77 vs. 80 percent), while the percentages who were Hispanic and Pacific Islander were higher in 2020–21

At Idea Victory school in Tampa, principal Monique Head is hoping to change that.

“Our focus is always when we go into a classroom is to make it better when we leave,” said Head.

Her past is what she said fuels her to show up every day as a leader for the kids at her school. “I’m from a very depressed area, very low socioeconomic status and I will tell you that I am the daughter of a drug addict,” she said. “I saw a lot of things growing up that I probably should not have seen and while I was at school I could honestly be what I couldn’t be at home.”

She uses her story as a way to connect with students at her predominantly Black and Hispanic school where she works.

“Some of the students here they come from the same type of background that I am so I always share my background so that they know that the sky is the limit. It doesn’t matter where you come from. It’s where you end. Where you are is not your final destination,” said Head.

That message of representation could be heard over and over again in a room filled with four Black female principals Tuesday. It was a meeting of the minds that’s been a driving force for people like Danielle Peterson.

“Being a successful principal and being this is kind of my first year, it’s really great to have other women, strong, Black, intelligent women that are also doing the work too. But it also feels like a sisterhood where if there is something that I need, I know I can call on them,” said Peterson.

Peterson is a principal at Idea Hope Academy in Tampa. She said it’s her mission to make sure students see her and leaders who look like them.

Peterson said representation is something that wasn’t always accessible to Peterson as she went from school to school growing up in a military family, but one that she’s working to make a normal thing here.

“My biggest thing is exposure. When they see teachers that look like them. When they see a principal, assistant principal, that looks like them, they know that this is something I can do when they have this opportunity and this choice,” said Peterson.

Choice, representation and motivation are all words students will continue to hear in the halls of here and at Head’s school.