The Principal Story is a national broadcast film and media outreach project commissioned by The Wallace Foundation. Originally broadcast on PBS, the film follows the journey of two elementary school principals throughout a school year as they strive to improve student achievement and implement school reform.
Featured are novice principal Tresa D. Dunbar of the Henry H. Nash Elementary School in Chicago and veteran principal Kerry Purcell of Harvard Park Elementary School in Springfield, IL.

Their stories unfold in an hour-long documentary that illustrates the struggles and successes these leaders encounter. Visit www.wallacefoundation.org/principalstory for more information about the film.

A clip reel includes 23 minutes of scenes from The Principal Story. Scenes are organized around four themes that are central to the role of principals in improving teaching and learning. The clip reel may be viewed in its entirety, without stop- ping, or on a start-and-stop basis to view sequentially.

NSDC was honored to contribute to this project and created The Principal Story Field Guide to accompany the film and clip reel.

Included here are excerpts from the field guide — facilitator’s tools and notes on using a portion of the film to discuss the principal’s role in creating an effective learning environment.