What They Never Told Me in Principal's School

The Value of Experience Cannot Be Overestimated

By (author) Michael Connolly

Publication date:

15 November 2009

Length of book:

100 pages

Publisher

R&L Education

Dimensions:

231x154mm
6x9"

ISBN-13: 9781607093084

A leader's position can be a lonely one even in the best of times. A school leader faces many challenges —some of them daunting. Principals and other school leaders benefit from good mentors, but now that many established principals are reaching retirement age a good mentor may be hard to find. What They Never Told Me in Principals School attempts to fill the gap left by an absence of mentors. Drawing upon his many personal experiences as a principal in urban, suburban and rural schools in the USA as well as his work in a variety of international schools, Mike Connolly shares with leaders what they need to know in order to develop, be successful and feel fulfilled in the important work of educating the students of the next generations.

Chapter 1 Preface
Chapter 3 The Principal's Toolbox
Chapter 4 Are You Listening or Only Hearing
Chapter 5 Time Out for Reflection
Chapter 6 Principals Need to Stay Focused
Chapter 7 Aylmer's Mistake and the Process of School Change
Chapter 8 It's Time to Discipline School Reform
Chapter 9 Harried Principals Aren't Helpful Principals
Chapter 10 So You're the Principal; Well What have You Done for Yourself Today?
Chapter 11 They Never Told Me That in Principal's School
Chapter 12 A Reality Check for a New School Leader
Chapter 13 "Say Something Nice to Me": Dealing with the Chronically Cranky
Chapter 14 Principals Must Avoid Doggy Behavior
Chapter 15 The Courage of Educational Leaders
Chapter 16 A Principal Must Protect the Social Ecology of the School
Chapter 17 When Will We Ever Learn?
Chapter 18 Discipline Isn't a Dirty Word
Chapter 19 Seek the Story Within: Interviews That Reveal the Heart of a Teacher
Chapter 20 What a Revolting Development This Is: The Homework Rebellion
Chapter 21 How Do You Spell Friendship?: The Intergenerational Spelling Bee
Chapter 22 Educators' Responsibility for Creating a Public
Chapter 23 Should Schools Offer Parent Training?
Chapter 24 Musings
Chapter 25 We Are the Lucky Ones

Connolly offers a brimming toolbox of both practical and soothing advice on how to make a difference as a principal. This is insightful, reflective, and attentive to real, day-to-day issues rooted in the genuine story of the principalship.