Part of the letter to my principal:
I have a few concerns about the job offer for next year. I was quite honored by the offer but I have been reflecting quite a bit.
My main question was, What is my motivation for accepting the job?
1) The challenge of learning a different aspect of education.
2) The prestige
3) The increase in salary
I believe some of these are not the greatest motivations for accepting a job.
Another question was, Do I have the knowledge to accept this job?
At first I believed that I had enough knowledge to be trained as a principal. However, now I am not so sure. As I was sitting next to you while you were talking to Mr. and Mrs. Williams, I realized that I do not have the knowledge or experience you have. I think you're doing a great job as principal and I know I don't have the wisdom you have in this field. I know I have almost 10 years experience with working with children but I only have 1.2 years experience teaching in an elementary school setting not including my methods and student teaching. I also am getting my masters degree to become more knowledgeable in this field but I have just started so cannot count this.
Then I think, you wouldn't have asked me if you didn't believe I could do the job. Do you believe I can gain enough experience to be the principal next year? Do you believe that I can squelch the fires coming from the parents and the concerns from the teachers? Can I be someone that the teachers look up to and go to when they have a problem or need advice? Will I be able to do the job effectively and with character?
Also I am worried about how the parents will view that next year with a principal with very minimal experience and education to be the principal. I honestly don't want people to leave the school because of me.
Basically, I'm still not sure about taking the position especially since I been watching you perform your duties as principal. However, I would like to know what the training process entails and whether it will prepare me to the point where I can do the best job I can as the principal.
