Full Description
The Ultimate Resource to cultivate self-awareness and excellence in Today's Principals
A commitment to continuous improvement paves the road to true leadership. New and veteran principals who understand this will translate thoughts into sound decisions and inspire a vision that can nurture others. They will drive progress and invite innovation. These are today's newest superheroes, leading by example and cultivating greatness in others.
But every superhero needs a mentor. In this updated bestseller, Beginning the Principalship, Daresh and Alexander offer intensive encouragement and help in a practical hands-on guide to help principals navigate the challenges of school leadership. The strategies and cases included here will inspire all school leaders and nurture their passion for the immense responsibility they have undertaken.
Practical Questions, Points to Ponder, and numerous examples in every chapter help foster reflection and collaboration to build a shared vision for campus improvement. Plus, discover how to:
Drive student learning as the primary mission of the school
Deal with others' expectations of you as principal
Master the technical skills needed to run an efficient school
Create and clarify a personal professional growth plan
Work effectively with the greater community and parents
Celebrate instructional and non-instructional staff in a positive school culture
Don't just survive your years as principal. Read this guide and thrive!
"Novice and seasoned principals, and new and seasoned administrators would really benefit from reading this book for skill building and improvement. Each chapter provides a wealth of information and has a space to record one's own plan for self-improvement."
Delsia Easley, Principal
Gadsden City Schools, Gadsden, AL
"I am disappointed that I didn't own this book when I started as a principal. This book would have answered some of my pressing questions and guided the work I did my first few years. I will recommend this to any friend or colleague starting a new principalship."
Kelly VanLaeken, Principal
Ruben A. Cirillo High School, Walworth, NY
Contents
Introduction
Plan for the Book
A Word of Caution
Suggested Readings
A Framework for Understanding the Beginning Principal
Case Study: I'm Not a Politician
Case Study: To Go or Not to Go
Case Study: Figuring Out the Papers
Balance is the Key
Suggestions for Improvement and Professional Development
Suggested Readings and References
PART I: Self Awareness
Affirming Your Ethical Stance
Returning to Elijah's Dilemma
Knowing the Difference between Right and Wrong
Foundations of Ethical Judgments and Behaviors
References
Reviewing Personal Values
Case: Because It's Important to Me
Case: But What About the Children?
What Do You Do with the Platform?
Your Personal Platform
Being a "Boss"
Others' Perceptions
So What Do You Do?
Strategies to Reduce Isolation
Easing into the Principalship as an Assistant
Your Personal Plan
Suggested Readings
A Personal Leadership Checklist
Critical Leadership Skills
Your Personal Plan
References
PART II: Socialization
Seeing Your Invisible Heroes
Office Workers
Custodial Staff
Food Service Workers
Building a Personal Plan
Suggested Readings and References
We're All on the Same Side: Home-School-Community Relations
Traditional Functions of Home-School Relations
Fostering Effective Two-Way Communication as Relational Trust
Utilizing Community Resources
Your Personal Plan
References
Learning Your School's Culture
Don't Just Look...See
Listen... Don't Just Hear
Celebrate the Past
Develop an Action Plan
Others' Expectations
Critical Skills for Beginning Principals: A Survey
So What Does this Mean?
Your Personal Plan
PART III: Technical and Managerial Skills
Understanding the Environment of Accountability
No Child Left Behind
What Happened with NCLB and Where do we go from Here?
