The Mexican government has set priorities to overcome social inequality in education and provide a basic education for all students. Among the resources necessary is a school director with the capacity to improve the school over the long-term. A review of international literature confirms the importance of the director's role and points to the significance of preparation and the first year experience (Alvarez García & De los Santos, et.al., 2003; Barnet & Shoho, 2005: Clarke & Wildy, 2004; Garcia, 1999; Huber, 2004; Slater & Esparza, E. et al., 2005). The research questions are: what are the challenges that first-year school directors face in Mexico and what are the implications for preparation programs?Methodology This study is an attempt to use research to guide practice. The methodology includes interviews, focus groups, and logs of significant incidents to reveal the experiences of eleven first-year school directors in Ensenada, Mexico.Initial results indicate that school directors are most concerned with how to resolve conflicts with teachers and parents. They also face structural problems from having to work two shifts in different schools, respond to extensive paper work requests and accommodate union issues.Alvarez García, I., De los Santos, r. y otros. (2003). Experiencias, logros y desafíos en la formación de directivos para la educación básica: Informe Técnico Resumido. Subsecretaría de Educación Básica y Normal. México Barnet, B.G., & Shoho, A.R. (2005). The challenge of novice school administrator preparation: Implications for preparation, induction, and professional support. Paper presented at the annual convention of the University Council for Educational Administration. Nashville, TN. Clarke, S. & Wildy, H (2004). Context Counts: Viewing small school leadership from the inside out. Journal of Educational Administration, 42 (5) p.p. 555-572. Garcia, J.M. (1999). Cuáles son las características del liderazgo del director y del supervisor de educación básica efectivo?. Una revisión de la literatura internacional y la investigación generada en México. En: A. Rivera, C.Aramburu, M.C.Ortega y C. Pérez (comp.). Psicología educativa: programas y desafíos en educación básica. México: UPN.Huber, S. (2004) Preparing School Leaders for the 21st. Century: An International Comparison of Development Programs in 15 Countries. London: Routledge Falmer. Slater, C.L., Esparza, E. et al. (2005).School Administrator Preparation in Baja California. Revista Electrónica Iberoamericana sobre Calidad, Eficacia y Cambio en Educacion, 3 (1)