Full Description
Crafted from authentic experiences shared by principals, Reality Calling: The Story of a Principal's First Semester reveals fictional Principal Joe Gentry's first few months on the job. We see his efforts to establish relationships with students, staff and community, handle unexpected (and sometimes unimaginable) events, and pursue the often elusive concept of instructional leadership. Throughout the process, Joe seeks guidance and support from his wife, mentors and two friends, who are also new principals. As the months roll by, he strives to navigate the complex ups and downs of school leadership, find personal and professional balance, apply the standards that govern school leaders and learn from his mistakes.
This extended, real-world case study provides readers an authentic, unvarnished account of a fully-human principal knee deep in what is appropriately called the toughest job in education. The book concludes with Joe and his two principal friends reflecting on lessons learned and setting goals for the second half of the school year -- revealed in this book's companion, Seeking Balance: The Story of a Principal's Second Semester.
Contents
Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1 - March: Looking to Lead
Chapter 2 - June: Moving On
Chapter 3 - July: First Impressions
Chapter 4 - August: Laying a Foundation
Chapter 5 - Mid-August: Here Come the Teachers
Chapter 6 - Late August: There's Nothing Like the First Day of School
Chapter 7 - Early September: Baptism of Fire
Chapter 8 - Mid-September: Searching for Rhythm
Chapter 9 - Late September: D-Day
Chapter 10 - Early October: The Unusual is Routine
Chapter 11 - Mid-October: Definitions and Personalities
Chapter 12 - Late October: Stepping Forward, Stepping Back, Staying Even?
Chapter 13 - Homecoming: Black, White and Gray
Chapter 14 - Early November: Fights, Fatigue, Poems and Prayers
Chapter 15 - Mid-November: The Media, The Mentee, The Abyss and The Bandit
Chapter 16 - December: A Better Way?
Chapter 17 - Mid-December: Looking Back, Looking Ahead
References
