Bigger Isn't Always Better
A Leadership Guide for Small School Administrators
By (author) George Murdock
Publication date:
18 January 2012Length of book:
122 pagesPublisher
R&L EducationDimensions:
241x164mm6x9"
ISBN-13: 9781610487207
Bigger Isn't Always Better is designed to provide a practitioner's viewpoint of the challenges and issues lacing school administrators – particularly those who work in small districts. Based upon a combination of education theory and practical applications, the book contains many real life exampleswith tips for landing a job as administrator and then making a positive and successful first impression through a deliberate entry plan. Bigger Isn't Always Better addresses both the technical aspects of an administrator’s assignment, as well as the administrator’s leading, mediating role while working with the school board, with school staff, or the school’s community. Readers will learn about a variety of potential pitfalls and situations that most new administrators face, with the benefit of learning how to over come and avoid such problems based on the author’s four decades in the profession.
With Bigger Isn’t Always Better, George Murdock has written a must-read for all school administrators. It is of special value for those who serve in small rural districts. It is a wonderful combination of research-based information and anecdotal information. The book is an easy, interesting read. Mr. Murdock is the right person to write this book because he has walked the walk.
The book is packed with advice, ranging from how to apply for an administrative job in a rural setting, to how to function once the position is secured. Much of the information is presented in the form of stories from the front lines. These anecdotal stories are designed to enlighten and inform, and they do both of these things. Also contained are several cautionary tales that are about incidents that forced the administrator to seek new employment.
While the information is sometimes humorous, it always focused on the skills needed to be successful in a rural setting. Early on he makes the point that people are employed because of their technical skills, but are dismissed because of their inability to maintain productive relationships with the board, the staff and the community. George Murdock provides the activities that rural administrators must undertake to develop positive, productive relationships.
If the goal of a book is to inform and entertain, then George Murdock is on the mark with his book “Bigger Isn’t Always Better.”
The book is packed with advice, ranging from how to apply for an administrative job in a rural setting, to how to function once the position is secured. Much of the information is presented in the form of stories from the front lines. These anecdotal stories are designed to enlighten and inform, and they do both of these things. Also contained are several cautionary tales that are about incidents that forced the administrator to seek new employment.
While the information is sometimes humorous, it always focused on the skills needed to be successful in a rural setting. Early on he makes the point that people are employed because of their technical skills, but are dismissed because of their inability to maintain productive relationships with the board, the staff and the community. George Murdock provides the activities that rural administrators must undertake to develop positive, productive relationships.
If the goal of a book is to inform and entertain, then George Murdock is on the mark with his book “Bigger Isn’t Always Better.”