In the absence of Professor Dumbledore’s impossibly powerful magic, he becomes a normal folk just like you. Seize his wand, what is he? A brilliant headmaster. Do you need complex wand techniques and gibberish spells to lead the school community effectively?
No.
You are fine just like that—a mortal who realizes one’s weaknesses and strengths and who does something to improve not only in academic excellence but also in social skills.
“So, how do we become just like Dumbledore?” Easy! Aside from the silky white beard and the longish cloak, below are just some of the things that make Professor Dumbledore the best principal in the world, in both Wizarding and Muggle Worlds:
ESTABLISH YOUR ACADEMIC BRILLIANCE
As an educator, you belong to a community abundant with people who are expert at something. We can assume that the department head of Mathematics is someone who works well with negative numbers, the head of Science is someone who specializes in scientific names and formulae, or the Filipino head who insists to be addressed as “Binibining Cruz” instead of “Miss Cruz.”
You are the principal. You are there at the top of the organizational chart posted on your office wall. While you are not expected to be well-verse with every single subject, you must have a firm grasp on the importance of each one. Remember, you lead these equally brilliant people. And no one likes to have a captain who hasn’t lived most of his life in wild waters. Much less a captain who doesn’t know how to swim, right?
GET TO KNOW THE PEOPLE YOU ARE MANDATED TO SERVE
If the only reason why you’d like to become a principal is for the air-conditioned office and the pleasure to laze around, give it up. Albus Dumbledore doesn’t need air-conditioning despite his thick garments.
An ideal principal is someone who knows the names of the people around him/her—students, staffs, and, of course, teachers. An ideal principal is someone who is approachable; someone who doesn’t have that “air of superiority” to ward off students and teachers. S/he must set a good example to others, especially to the students, so they can develop a connection with the principal without comprising the prestige of the position.
The best principal isn’t only responsible for his/her immediate people. S/he is also to communicate with parents, guardians, and the community to ensure the institution’s development.
BE ACCOUNTABLE AND RESPONSIBLE
The principal that our high school was under was codenamed “Mr. Gone with the Wind.” When our school won awards from division and regional contests, he would call for a blitzkrieg announcement. Students would be huddled up in the oval so they could witness him awarding us. So he could take the credit as well.
But when we failed to bring the bacon, he was nowhere to be found—hence, Mr. Gone with the Wind.
A good principal recognizes students’ effort—win or lose—because these people have gone beyond what they’re supposed to do. They sacrificed time to review for the quiz bees, shelled out money for science investigatory projects, and, most probably, spent sleepless nights memorizing a 2500-word piece for oratorical competitions.
To become the best principal like Albus Dumbledore, one must reject the idea that “The King can do no wrong.” Dumbledore had shortcomings as he wasn’t at all perfect. To become the best principal, one must not think that “I am the school.” That is just plain silly. If you really are the school, may we see the cafeteria and gymnasium on your body?