Full Description
"I couldn't put the bookt down, and I've been a principal for 24 years. The information is excellent for all individuals interested in the principalship."
Denny Vincent, Principal
Muhlenberg North High School, Greenville, KY
"Brock and Grady present a realistic glimpse of the issues that principals must deal with, either knowingly, or unfortunately, unknowingly. This book can help principals avoid the latter."
Mike Parnell, Principal
Carrollton High School, Carrollton, MO
Be the leader you want to be with this always-on-hand mentor!
Whether you are an aspiring principal, a first-year principal, or a veteran administrator, this invaluable resource can help you hone your leadership skills, reduce your stress, improve your communication, manage your time and your staff, resolve your conflicts, and maximize your leadership potential.
Replete with confidence-boosting tips and tools, this practical guide covers everything from interviewing and accepting the position, to experiencing the first days and end of the school year, and beyond. It offers first-hand insights from new and seasoned principals that provide not only a source of comfort, but also a wealth of ideas to help you to avoid common mistakes and become a highly effective, visionary leader.
Here are just a few of the user-friendly features:
Models for leadership, conflict resolution, and stress management
Staff and community relations tips
Helpful strategies for managing your time and your staff
Help with beginning and ending your school year effectively
"The Principal's Key," a comprehensive, yet succinct, summary of each chapter
Checklists, assessment tools, plus resources focusing on interviewing and the selection process
Contents
Introduction
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
1. You've Got the Job
Embrace the Role
What Kind of Leader Will You Be?
Expect Personal Change
Expect Relationships to Change
Hang On!
The Principal's Key
2. Get Acquainted: The People, the Place, the Culture
The People
Get Acquainted
The Principal's Key
3. Beginning and Ending Your School Year
Beginning the School Year
The End of the Year
The Principal's Key
4. Learn to Communicate
Understand the Communication System
Know Your Audience
Organize Yourself
Make Personal Communication a Priority
Communicate With Constituents: The Superintendent and Staff
Communicate With School Personnel
Communicate With Students
Communication With Parents
The Principal's Key
5. Maximize Staff Potential
Communicate Expectations
Encourage and Facilitate Professional Development
Sustain Staff Morale
Supervision and Evaluation
The Principal's Key
6. Use Time Effectively
Organize the Office
The Principal's Key
7. Solve Problems, Dilemmas and Grievances
Take Time to Think
A Conflict Resolution Model
The Principal's Key
8. Make Effective Changes
The Challenges
The Principal's Key
9. Take Care of Yourself
Learn to Manage Stress
What Triggers Stress?
Select Appropriate Responses
Restructure Your Thinking
Take Care of Your Health
Find a Balance
Continue Learning
The Principal's Key
Resource A. School and Self- Assessment Tools
Resource B. Your Educational Philosophy
Resource C. The Job Selection Process: Examining Potential Matches
Resource D. The Interview Process: Tips to Guide You
Resource E. Annotated Bibliography for Beginning Principals
References
Index
