My principal pulled me aside and suggested I start my admin credentials because they see leadership potential in me. The pay bump would be life-changing, but I’m worried I’ll miss the actual teaching part and end up just dealing with angry parents and bus schedules all day. Most of the APs I know look like they haven’t slept since 2019. Is the move to administration worth the loss of the classroom connection?

I’d do it. I’ve mostly been pulled aside by principals to be told I was terminated.

I am current principal. Two things do not let that blow you head up b/c this might be a segway to get you to do more work w/o the pay. At the end of the day the question is do you want to become one?

For what it is worth, two of my former principals gave up the big desk and fancy chair to return to the classroom and both are very much enjoying it. One is near retirement but saw the district’s need to fill SpEd positions and felt a) she could better serve in that capacity and b) correctly assumed the district would more easily fill the admin slot. The other was a more long-term strategic move to position himself for a different admin job. Regardless, you aren’t locked in for life. You can go back. So why not give admin a shot. My current principal did and is loving it.

I was a NY teacher who left the classroom to become an administrator in 2022. Same story. FWIW, it looks like more $$ on paper, but it is NOT if you consider pay per hour, you will be working MUCH more. Also consider how much the admin credentials will cost (Mine cost about 20K). I worked at a very nice, upper middle class suburban school. I had never worked elsewhere other than subbing and through my admin internship, I thought I saw what it was "really like." WRONG. I left my role to work as an AP at another district thinking that it couldn't be that much worse and that I'd need to "work my way up" as I never wanted to stay as an AP. I had dreams of working in curriculum/district level. I had students bringing weapons to school, would routinely respond to dangerous situations, and never ate a lunch. I would work from 7 am to 6 pm most days, and was expected to go to additional events on the weekends, BOE meetings monthly that went until 9 pm, and keep a smile on my face through it all... even when my principal loaded all the work on me (you have to consider what type of people stay at districts like these). My hair was falling out from the stress, and my three children would routinely say things like "You're never home," or "I don't remember what it was like when mommy wasn't stressed." I am sure if I had gotten an offer at a different school, it would have been different. IMO, if you like your district, you should take on leadership roles within your district first. See if they will give you a Dean role or will commit to something more. Regardless, I would not leave your teaching role completely until you find the perfect fit role. They filled my role with a much cheaper and perfectly fine teacher who they couldn't just oust because I had a bad experience. Part of me is sad every day that I made the choice so naively.

My grandpa was a principal and suggested I become one, early in my teaching career. So I started my masters and admin credential. Within a year I knew that I did not want to work with adults and parents and preferred teenagers, coaching, having fun at school and being goofy, and most of all - only thinking of my classes and my teams. Plus I can still choose to make more money than a principal by teaching night classes, summer school, mentoring, and other things I enjoy, but only when I want to. I still got a masters degree and another teaching credential so I can teach 3 subject areas.

Ultimately, it's up to your personal feelings.

I decided very early on that I always wanted direct contact with kids and the ability to coach sports, so i never even thought about pursuing admin.

Everyone is different, though. If you feel pulled toward that and think you can make a positive difference, then it's definitely worth considering.

The extra money doesn't hurt 😉

Your work load would be very differently. You are going to attend many meetings, deal with staff, deal with deadlines, and parents!!! If you're ready for the budget meetings; the state scores for your school data , then by all means, go for it!! Good luck!!!

Do some research. Our admin here don’t make much more than our top step teachers and they only get a few weeks off in the summer. They work longer hours and have a lot of stress in a different way. We have had 2 teachers try it and then go back to the classroom because it was not for them. We also had 1 who made the leap and stayed there. It is a personal choice.

Use to be worth it and rewarding to affect change to more students, but since COVID, so much has changed. Primarily the student behaviors. I changed and went a different route, not admin.maybe try technology.

Retired Science Teacher Here. I would take the suggestion as a compliment, but you will decide when to take the risk of moving on to admin roles, which tend to be more stable in regular school districts. Apparently, you have already an MA that qualifies you. Review your future goals: 5 years, 10 years, etc. Best!

I’ve been considering this move as well. I am on the fence. Not so much about missing the teaching, but the time commitment.

I did it! I left the classroom for admin, with the outlook that I would be paid a fair wage for what I was taking on, and the idea that I would be able to make a difference for teachers, students and ultimately families. I could see the cracks in admin and was going to help fix it! I was wrong. the system is VERY broken. I was spinning my wheels, feeling defeated, exhausted, and the money, not worth it, because you actually never turn off…. Solving the “worlds problems” will always be on your mind and you’re expected to be more available, even in “off“ hours. Needless to say, I left 20 years education as a whole in June 2025. I burned out and realized I was the only one feeling the effect of change, and not in a good way. Good luck, I hope you like it, and you are more successful!

Lowk just do it