Full Description
Be the leader your school community needs
The responsibilities of school leaders are increasingly complex. In this book, you will find a problem-solving model to help you think through morally complex situations. These steps will enable you to arrive at innovative solutions that are ethical, logical, culturally sensitive, and in the best interests of students.
Packed with real-life vignettes, mental exercises, reflections, checklists, and other templates, these strategies will help you
Understand how ethical standards and core values drive your leadership choices
Approach problems through a lens of equity and care for the students entrusted to you
Recognize when urgent action is called for and when it's better to slow down in order to thoroughly consider your actions and the potential consequences of those actions
As a leader, you face difficult challenges every day. This book will help ensure that the decisions you make are right for your students—and for the whole community.
Contents
Foreword by Douglas Fisher
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Introduction
The Ethical Line
Temptations Lurk Everywhere
Tough Choices
How This Book Can Help
Features You Will Find
Chapter 1: Know Thyself
Strategy #1: Identify and Model Your Core Values
The New Normal
Your Ethical Line
Right vs. Right Situations
When Moral Compasses Falter
Strategy #2: Be Curiously Introspective
Find Kindred Spirits
Practice Self-Care
Express Gratitude
Build Resilience
Take a Cognitive Time-Out
Pause to Regroup
Calm Mental Chatter
Dare to Imagine
Chapter 2: Examine Your Community's Values
Strategy #3: Listen Generously
Characteristics of Outstanding Listeners
Practice Empathy
Strategy #4: Create an Inclusive School Climate
Promote Emotional Well-Being
Engender Teamwork
Facilitate Collaborative Leadership
Recognize the Signs of an Unhealthy School Climate
Stimulate a Healthy School Climate
Foster Collective Efficacy
Strategy #5: Discover Your Community's Hopes and Dreams
Explore Community Assets and Examine Your Leadership Privilege
Take the Pulse of Your Community Regularly
Empathic Interviewing
Strategy #6: Unify Around a Collective Vision
Which Values Guide Your Organization?
Making Sense of Norms and Codes of Conduct
Study Colleagues' Behavior
Chapter 3: Adhere to Ethical and Legal Parameters
Professional Standards for Educational Leaders
Strategy #7: Consider Moral and Legal Consequences of Decisions
PSEL Standard 2: Ethics and Professional Norms
Lead With Moral Courage
A Framework for Making Ethical Decisions
The Seven Steps of Ethical Decision Making
Strategy #8: Ensure Equitable Processes and Outcomes
PSEL Standard 3: Advocate for All
Summary
Chapter 4: Promote an Ethical School Culture
Strategy #9: Walk the Talk
Be an Architect of Equity
Model Innovation and Empathy
Provide Clear Rationale for Decisions
Characteristics of Constructive Dialogue
Strategy #10: Become a Strategic Influencer
Defining Moments
Mental Preparation
Facilitate Win-Win Situations
Never Stop Learning and Growing
Conclusion
Implementation Steps
References
Index
