This article was originally published in The Notebook. In August 2020, The Notebook became Chalkbeat Philadelphia.
This week, thousands of school principals are gathering in Philadelphia for a first-of-its-kind conference.
The 2017 National Principals Conference marks the first time that the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) have held a joint national gathering. Conference attendance is around 4,300, according to an NASSP spokesperson.
Translation: There are a lot of principals roaming Center City right now. (Playing hookie is not advised.)
While they were in town, a few principals took the time to chat with WHYY. We introduce them below. Together they paint an interesting portrait of U.S. education, both the vast differences and striking similarities among the nation’s many schools.