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Launching Your First Principalship
A Guide for Beginning Principals
- Barbara L. Brock - Creighton University, USA
- Marilyn L. Grady - University of Nebraska, Lincoln, USA
December 2003 | 160 pages | Corwin
Examining the critical first days and weeks of the school year, this book is directed to the new and aspiring headteacher. It addresses key issues of succession, socialization, and leadership. It also provides qualitative feedback from new and seasoned headteacher, identifying common mistakes to avoid, and discussing critical skills acquisition.
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."
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."
Carrollton High Schook, Carrollton, MO
