Becoming a School Leader

Applications, Interviews, Examinations and Portfolios

By (author) Charles A. Bonnici

Publication date:

05 December 2013

Length of book:

216 pages

Publisher

R&L Education

Dimensions:

240x161mm
6x9"

ISBN-13: 9781475803594

There are many master teachers who have excellent organizational and interpersonal relation skills who think about becoming assistant principals and principals. Becoming a School Leader is designed primarily for these master teachers as they contemplate the next step in their professional careers. It will help them decide if school leadership is their correct career pathway. Then it will provide them with the knowledge and skills they will need to navigate the process of finding a certification program and then applying for and obtaining school leadership positions.
Becoming a School Leader is also addressed to those already in certification programs, providing a wealth of detailed information on the types of questions they might face on state examinations and in the arduous interview process. Professors of Educational Leadership could make use of this book as a supplementary text in both entry and exit courses.
Finally, neophyte principals will find this book helpful as they develop their criteria and questions for the selection of assistant principals or department chairs in their schools.

Foreword by Dr. Eloise Messineo
Preface
Introduction
Chapter 1 Historical Context
Chapter 2 Why Should You Become a School Leader?
Chapter 3 What Are the Steps to Becoming a School Leader?
Chapter 4 The Application Process
Chapter 5 The Interview Process: Preliminaries
Chapter 6 The Interview Process: Questions and Answers
Chapter 7 The Interview Process: Who Will Get the Job?
Chapter 8 Certification Exams: Introduction and Multiple Choice Questions
Chapter 9 Certification Exams: Strategies for Responding to the On-Demand Question
Chapter 10 Certification Exams: Sample On-Demand Questions and Responses

Chapter 11 Simulated School Based Question: The Situation
Chapter 12 Simulated School Based Question: Responses
Chapter 13 Professional Portfolios and On-Line Profiles
Appendix
Acknowledgments

In his book Becoming A School Leader, Charles Bonnici offers a common sense approach to seeking and securing an entry level position as a school-based leader. He covers all the bases: the need to confront one’s self as to why such a position is desired; the need to understand fully the dynamics of the application and interview processes associated with the position; and the need to be aware of and prepared for the demands of the certification examinations required for these positions. Thorough attention is given to the examinations, citing types of exams (on-demand and simulated school-based), all illustrated through sample questions and responses – responses demonstrating critical thinking at the upper end of “the taxonomy”, i.e., analysis, synthesis and sound judgment. The book concludes with commentary on professional portfolios, on-line profiles and professional resumes.