A principal is the lead administrator at the primary, intermediate, and high school levels. As the boss, principals are responsible for evaluating a teacher's work performance as well as creating instructional policies and defining best educational practices within the environment. They may support a teacher through difficulties with students or parents, while also offering resources and development opportunities to strengthen their professional skills.

For other relationships in the school environment, see HEADMASTER AND STUDENT and TEACHER AND STUDENT.

Below are a wide range of dynamics that may accompany this relationship. Use the ideas that suit your story and work best for your characters to bring about and/or resolve the necessary conflict.

A principal who respects the teacher's professional judgment and gives them wide berth in carrying out instruction
A teacher who respects the leadership of the principal and follows their policies
A principal focused on the administrative side of things, leaving the education up to the teachers
A strictly professional relationship, where personal conversations and topics don't come up
A micromanaging principal who does not respect the professional judgment of the teacher
A teacher who challenges the principals' authority and decisions
A relationship with vastly different communication styles that lead to conflict
A cozier relationship—professional, but each person knowing and caring about the other's personal life
A principal who expects more out of the teacher than they should
Either party underachieving; putting in the minimum time and effort

The principal abruptly changing school policies
A teacher receiving a poor evaluation (whether it's warranted or not)
The principal playing favorites with other staff members
The teacher being overlooked for promotion or recognition
The two parties disagreeing on how to handle a difficult student or parents
One party needing to step away from professional duties to handle personal matters
One party engaging in an inappropriate relationship with another staff member or a student's parent 
The teacher needing critical supplies and being told that funds aren't available
Having major differences in communication styles 
The principal controlling the teacher's autonomy
The teacher being reassigned to a new subject area or grade level against their will
The principal focusing more on pleasing the parents than the staff
One party claiming credit for the idea or work of the other
The principal compromising educational practices to boost tuition revenue (in a private school setting)
The teacher losing their position due to overstaffing or budget cuts
One party publicly admonishing the other