Problem-Solving Tools and Tips for School Leaders


Book Description

In this book, award-winning educator Cathie West teaches readers how to confidently prepare for and respond to the challenges that come with being a school leader. Derived from professional experience and extensive research, the strategies can be put to work exactly as described or adapted to fit the unique situations that educators face in their schools. With more than thirty years of experience as a school principal, West provides tips for teacher leaders striving to expand their skills, brand new administrators looking for guidance, and experienced principals confronting the unfamiliar or looking for fresh problem-solving ideas.




Wikis for School Leaders


Book Description

Maximize the effectiveness of your professional activities through the use of wikis, and raise student achievement in turn! With strategies from online educator and technology expert Stephanie Sandifer, this book provides how-to advice on the way in which wikis result in a more efficient use of time, better communication, and increased adult learning for the members of your school community. Inside, you'll find out how to promote collaboration and productivity in your school, all while contributing to improved student learning. Topics include: The Dos and Don'ts of Wikis Social Networking Tools and Wikis Wikis for Leadership and Administration Wikis in the Classroom Wikis for Home-to-School Communications Implement each of these practical, innovative ideas and "wikify" your school today!




The Fearless School Leader


Book Description

This book identifies the six fearless decisions that school leaders need to make to be successful. The author analyzes the top fears that impede effective leadership and lower student achievement, then provides a step by step antidote that will change fear into intention, increase confidence, and produce positive results in your school. In this book, you’ll learn how to: • approach difficult classrooms and solve the problem of low-performing teachers • gain the strength to accept judgment when making controversial decisions during the change process • offer trust and gain it from your staff • use reflection questions and techniques to align thoughts with your best intentions • "re-wire" your thinking as you examine the risks that come with change • take action on standardized test results to improve student learning • feel comfortable making and implementing tough decisions Learn how to change fear into intention so you are able to act with confidence and get the results you really want.




The School Leader's Guide to Social Media


Book Description

Social media has exploded onto American culture — including our schools — giving educators a unique opportunity to shape this phenomenon into a powerful tool for improving educational leadership practices. With real-world examples and practical tips, this essential guide shows school leaders how to address both the potential benefits and common concerns presented by social media. It is written in a clear, reader-friendly format, and covers important topics, including: Responding to student safety issues, such as cyberbullying and sexting Improving school management, communication, and professional growth Instructional innovation Twenty-first century learning Preparing for future social media trends This is a must-have resource for school leaders who want to stay current and provide the best possible educational environment for learning in the 21st century.




The School Leadership Survival Guide


Book Description




The Principal's Guide to the First 100 Days of the School Year


Book Description

For veteran principals, new principals, and aspiring principals, this book is a valuable resource for building instructional momentum during the beginning of the school year. Educational leadership expert Shawn Joseph guides administrators through five key areas: Vision Instructional Leadership Politics Data Planning With detailed timelines, practical advice, and ready-to-use resources, Joseph explains the essential steps to leadership success that will continue throughout the school year. Supplemental Downloads available to book-buyers!




The Principal as Student Advocate


Book Description

Help all students reach their full potential. Make the right decisions! This unique book offers practical tools and strategies to help you become a strong advocate for every student in your school. With real world examples and situations, this book will help you: • Acquire skills to change your students’ lives for the better -- and also reach district goals. • Learn how to advocate for students even if it conflicts with district policy. • Discover how to transform your staff so they will also serve as student advocates. • Strengthen connections with parents to engage them with their child’s education. Also included is how to be an advocate for special needs students. The book opens with a private self-assessment to help you discover where you are on the continuum of student advocacy. It then leads you through the steps to develop the traits of a skilled advocate for students. There are application exercises and numerous examples of what works. Supported by research references in every chapter, the book details a rich variety of interventions you and your staff can use on a daily basis. It focuses on curricular as well as co-curricular programs including subject-matter offerings, the fine arts, athletics, technical programs, clubs, recreational activities, and other programs. As the principal, it is your advocacy that will make a powerful, lifelong difference for all the students in your school. Also available – PowerPoint slides for in-service professional development or for principals who wish to discuss this topic with their staff.




The 6 Keys to Teacher Engagement


Book Description

In her new book, award-winning principal and leadership expert Cathie West provides education leaders at all levels with the tools and guidance they need to engage teachers in the process of increasing student achievement. With authentic examples and research highlights, readers learn how to develop a motivated faculty that is truly dedicated to school improvement and student success. The "Six Keys" covered in the book are both substantive and comprehensive and offer a clear path to success: Key 1: Create a Culture of Engagement Teacher engagement definition, attributes, and steps towards attainment Key 2: Get Organizationally Engaged Exemplary organization qualities, leadership styles, and effectiveness strategies Key 3: Engineer Engagement Quality meeting characteristics, engagement activities, and leadership techniques Key 4: Zero in on Best Practice Effective teaching attributes, instructional practices, and success tips Key 5: Tap into Teacher Leaders Teacher leader selection, training, and strategic deployment Key 6: Confront Change Challengers Challenger profiles, interventions, and support suggestions BONUS! Every chapter includes a wrap-up to help readers review, apply, and retain new learning for each of the six keys to teacher engagement: Key Concepts provides a bulleted summary of each theme’s major concepts to help readers review key ideas. Best Strategies summarizes each chapter’s high impact teacher engagement strategies. Steps to Success suggests activities that will move new concepts and skills into practice. NOTEWORTHY: This book is also an excellent resource for university and college instructors who are responsible for teacher and principal preparation. The 6 Keys to Teacher Engagement substantially supports graduate level courses pertaining to educational leadership, school improvement, curriculum and assessment, and professional development.




Step-by-Step Professional Development in Technology


Book Description

Don't train your teachers in instructional technology without reading this resource-packed book from Sarah T. Meltzer. Meltzer presents easy-to-follow guidelines for bringing about effective professional development in technology from start to finish. She takes you step-by-step through the process of planning, implementing, and managing professional development opportunities. The book is also filled with handy, practical tools and resources, such as pre-planning worksheets needs assessment surveys long- and short-term technology plans technology inventory forms training schedule templates and more Meltzer provides filled-out examples of those forms, so you can see how to complete them. She also offers blank versions for your own use. In addition, each chapter concludes with a checklist to help you keep track of the steps you take as you make professional development in technology a reality—and a success—in your school or district.




School Leadership


Book Description

Parents, lawmakers, supervisors, and unions are among the many constituencies that demand influence, if not control, of the educational process. How does the school administrator balance all the needs of the various groups and still remain true to the ultimate, though most powerless constituency: the students? Through case studies and anecdotes based on real-life experiences, the authors share the ups and downs of the educational world, seeking to find the balance that is most effective in ensuring success. School Leadership:Case Studies Solving School Problems details decision making and actions taken that dramatically affect the success of students and schools as well as school systems. This second edition continues and improves on the first edition with a series of new and timely school leadership case studies that require the reader to reflect on the variety of issues that cross the principal's desk every day. The reader will find the case studies and anecdotes highly absorbing. They are so real, fraught with complexity, and will require the reader to use a sophisticated decision-making process.