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Launching Your First Principalship
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Launching Your First Principalship
A Guide for Beginning Principals


Courses:
Principalship

October 2003 | 160 pages | Corwin

"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

 
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

"I couldn’t put the book down, and I’ve been a principal for 24 years. The information is excellent for all individuals interested in the principalship."

Denny Vincent, Past President
National Association of Secondary School Principals

"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 and Board Member of the National Association of Secondary School Principals
Carrollton High Schook, Carrollton, MO

Sample Materials & Chapters

Introduction

Chapter 1: You've Got the Job


For instructors

Select a Purchasing Option


Rent or Buy eBook
ISBN: 9781483360843

Hardcover
ISBN: 9780761946229
$79.95

Paperback
ISBN: 9780761946236
$34.95