Full Description
"Weingartner practices what he preaches. He shares lessons learned from his many years of running one of the most successful principal mentoring programs in the nation. His practical and straightforward approach is grounded in the day-to-day realities and exigencies of the school principal."
—Lois J. Zachary, President
Leadership Development Services
Develop a principal mentoring program that produces effective leaders and high retention rates!
Responding to a critical shortage of school leaders, this timely and invaluable resource offers a mentoring approach that supports new principals' professional development while helping reduce the stress-and-burnout pattern that is common for many school administrators.
Based on years of successful experience, Carl J. Weingartner shows school and district leaders how to design a sustainable, adaptable principal mentoring program for urban, suburban, and rural schools—without a lot of extra costs, paperwork, or time. This book offers guidelines for recruiting, supporting, and retaining effective principals and methods for helping novice principals achieve success in areas such as improving curriculum and student achievement. The book also covers:
Developing supportive mentoring relationships
Assisting new administrators with individual professional growth plans
Advising on district mandates, operational/funding issues, and standards
Fostering effective time management, communication, and self-evaluation skills
Offering a total support system for new principals, this mentoring guide provides a proven road map for a principal mentoring plan that builds strong schoolwide leadership.
Contents
Foreword by John C. Daresh
Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Introduction
1. Advocating for the Beginning Principal
Why Mentoring in Our District?
The Anatomy of a Beginning Principal
Professional Organizations
Scenario: Sharing the Wealth
Key Points
Recommended Reading
2. The Beginning of a Mentor Program
APS District Demographics
The Birth of the Albuquerque Mentor Program
Budget Justification
Selecting a Coordinator
Key Points
Recommended Readings
3. A Work in Process
The First Stages of Development
Vision and Mission Statements
Program Guidelines
Job Descriptions
Program Process
A Total Support System for New Principals
Key Points
Recommended Readings
4. Program Implementation
Step 1. The Process Begins
Step 2. The Initial Coordinator-Mentee Meeting
Step 3. Conferring With the Mentor
Step 4. The Planning Session
Step 5. The Other 5 Percent
Key Points
Recommended Readings
5. Simple Program Enhancements Make a Difference
Congratulate
Celebrate
Communicate
Appreciate
The Morale Factor
Scenarios: Extra Support for Supporters
Key Points
Recommended Readings
6. Applying the Mentoring Concept to Small School Districts
Organize a Study Committee
Purpose of the Study Committee
Scenario: A Simple Form of Mentoring
Key Points
Recommended Reading
7. The Accountability Factor
End-of-the-Year Evaluations
Alternative Assessments
Program Evaluations
ESP Ten-Year Program Assessment (1995-2005)
Key Points
Recommended Readings
8. The Art of Mentoring the Beginning Principal
Concepts for Effective Mentoring
Establishing the Mentor Pool
Suggestions for Mentors Working With Mentees
Mentoring Versus Coaching
A Coaching Concept
Simplicity
Level-to-Level Mentoring
Communicate, Communicate, Communicate
Scenario: A Mentor's Wisdom
Key Points
Recommended Readings
9. Finding Time to Become an Instructional Leader
It's a Matter of Time
Time Management Suggestions
The Importance of Strong Instructional Leadership
Demographic Data for Instructional Implementation
The Evaluation Process
Scenario: Reciprocal Mentoring
Key Points
References and Recommended Readings
10. Caution, Pitfalls Ahead!
It's About Time
The Funding Dilemma
Plan, Plan, Plan
Do Not Take Stress and Burnout Lightly
Scenario: A Heavy Load
Superintendents and Upper-Level Administration
Scenario: Solve the Problem
Key Points
References and Recommended Readings
11. Reflections
References
Index
