Principal for a Day

Business and civic leaders are eligible to participate and exchange knowledge with school staff and students while learning more about Dallas public schools and opening the door for collaborations.

Participants are assigned to a single Dallas ISD campus to spend time with the principal, faculty, and students. As a guest principal, you might:

• Teach a class
• Meet with student council
• Attend student performances
• Read to students
• Address a class assembly

At the end of the day, all guest principals convene with the superintendent, principals, and other business leaders to recap the day. They’ll discuss their experiences and potential commitments, and make plans for future involvement.

To the extent possible, participants are assigned to schools based on their interests and the interests of the schools. Participants can be matched with an elementary, middle, or high school.

Principal for a Day is a flexible program, with participants committing the time they reasonably can. Volunteers are not expected to serve for the entire day but are encouraged to commit as much time to the experience as possible.

An optional but encouraged “After Class” Reception is 3:30-5:30 p.m. at Gilley’s Dallas.

The application portal opens in the summer. For 2024, the application opens to everyone Monday, Aug. 5, and closes Friday, Sept. 13.

Email education@dallaschamber.org for the credentials to the Dallas ISD application portal

Campus matches are announced on a rolling basis starting at the end of August and continuing through mid-September. If you have not received your match confirmation from Dallas ISD by Friday, Sept. 27, please email smedina@dallaschamber.org.

If you have not previously participated in the program, we recommend attending the Tuesday, Aug. 6, information session to learn about the history, process, and ask questions.

Before your Principal for a Day visit, we recommend convening with the campus principal or executive staff to set an agenda for the day.

We encourage participants to stay connected to Dallas ISD, the campus visited, and staff after Principal for a Day through ongoing volunteerism efforts, contribution of resources and expertise, and if applicable, through direct financial support.