This book shows principals how to successfully balance the needs and priorities of their schools while continuously developing and refining their leadership skills.

The redoubtable Grandma--this book is a sequel to Grandma Drove the Snowplow--is at it again. After all her hard work collecting the towns garbage and plowing the roads, Grandma deserves a day off--and what better day than Labor Day. All she has to do is sit back and enjoy a nice boat ride with her littlest grandson Billy while her sons catch the lobsters for the town Lobster Bake. But what happens when the waves get choppy, the fog rolls in, and all the boats are in difficulty? Can Grandma take the helm and get the lobsters back to shore in time? More great fun as our intrepid heroine is again placed at the center of small town life and in the middle of a local celebration.

"I feel that this is a book that principals will be interested in purchasing and reading. It has practical advice and relevant examples of how the advice can and has been implemented." Phillip Silsby, Principal Belleville West High School, Belleville, IL "I could hear the voices of some of the principals who were interviewed speaking to me. The author clearly knows how to gather information and present it in a meaningful way." Bonnie Tryon, Zone 2 Director National Association of Elementary School Principals "This is a powerful guidebook for new principals. More than that, it also contains valuable insight and examples to assist veteran principals in growing and improving professionally." Kimberly Kay Janisch, Principal Watertown High School, Watertown, SD How can principals raise achievement levels, energize teachers, and get results? How can you remain productive and effective in this age of accountability? Highly effective principals have strong communication skills, high levels of knowledge about teaching and learning, and the ability to provide instructional leadership. This excellent, new resource provides principals, administrative teams, and educators with tremendous resources to hone these skills and traits. Ten Traits of Highly Effective Principals contains ideas, reflections, behaviors, habits, and stories from the trenches to guide and inspire as you seek to increase your own effectiveness. Each chapter in this resource describes an essential component of personal effectiveness. A highly effective principal is A communicator—listen, empathize, and connect An educator—with a depth of knowledge; motivates intellectual growth An envisioner—focused on the vision of what schools can be A facilitator—building strong relationships A change master—flexible, futuristic, and realistic, and can motivate change A culture builder—communicating and modeling a strong, viable vision An activator—with motivation, energy, and enthusiasm to spare A producer— building intellectual development and academic achievement A character builder—whose values are trustworthiness, respect, and integrity A contributor—whose priority is making contributions to the success of others Transform your school into a community of learners, set high academic and behavioral expectations, and create a culture where children feel special and safe.

In this 2nd edition of Focus: Elevating the Essentials to Radically Improve Student Learning, Mike Schmoker extends and updates the case that our schools could be on the cusp of swift, unparalleled improvements. But we are stymied by a systemwide failure to simplify and prioritize; we have yet to focus our limited time and energy on the most essential, widely acknowledged, evidence-based practices that could have more impact than all other initiatives combined. They are: simple, coherent curricula; straightforward, traditional literacy practices; and lessons built around just a few hugely effective elements of good teaching. As Schmoker demonstrates, the case for these practices—and the need for them—has grown prodigiously. In every chapter, you’ll find late-breaking discoveries and practical advice on how to simplify the implementation of new state standards in the subject areas; on the hidden pitfalls of our most popular, but unproven instructional fads and programs; and on simple, versatile strategies for building curriculum, planning lessons, and integrating literacy into every discipline. All of these strategies and findings are supported with exciting new evidence from actual schools. Their success confirms, as Michael Fullan writes, that a focus on the best "high-leverage practices" won’t only improve student performance; they will produce "stunningly powerful consequences" in our schools.

This guide to the 21 leadership responsibilities that influence student achievement will help school leaders focus on changes that really make a difference.

Increase your own effectiveness with the help of the built-in facilitator's guide, ideas, reflections, behaviors, habits, and inspiring stories.

Award-winning educator William Sterrett draws from research and interviews with distinguished practitioners to identify the most important issues facing today's school leaders and offer practical, effective strategies to help leaders realize growth in their schools.

“Imagine you were cast adrift on a desert island with a school full of children in desperate need of a great headteacher. What eight qualities would you take with you to run your desert island school?” In this inspirational book, some of the UK's most successful headteachers answer this question, talking openly about what it takes to effectively manage a school today. In candid and moving accounts we hear how they have both turned around failing schools and improved outstanding schools. Their thoughts, from vision, to courage and resilience, form the 8 key qualities which are examined in depth through the book. This is not a book about government-led initiatives, top-down models or politically-motivated attempts to change the way schools are managed. Instead, it focuses on the vital leadership ingredients that successful heads say work for them. It offers essential insights and advice into the challenges of running a school successfully and will be a source of inspiration for all school leaders and anyone thinking about moving into headship.

Early childhood educators are keenly aware of the importance of a child’s transition to “real school.” This transition is occurring earlier in a child’s life now that school districts nationwide are moving to pre-kindergarten experiences for 3- and 4-year olds. Annually, more than one million children attend public school pre-k programs overseen by elementary school principals who, although veteran educational leaders, were not trained to oversee these programs. Although pre-k classrooms are rapidly growing and deserve special attention, school leaders must be reminded that early childhood means more than pre-kindergarten; it extends through third grade. School leadership needs to understand the principles of early childhood education to effectively support all children age three to grade three. Professional and Ethical Consideration for Early Childhood Leaders is a collection of innovative research that crafts an overall understanding of the importance of early childhood leadership in today’s schools. The book employs strategies to improve support for children in early childhood years, examines the different roles of early childhood leadership, analyzes best practices for implementation in early childhood contexts, and explores improvements for leadership preparation for schools with pre-k through third-grade children. While highlighting a wide range of topics including advocacy, cultural responses, and professional development, this publication is ideally designed for educators, administrators, principals, early childhood development teachers, daycare instructors, curriculum developers, advocates, researchers, academicians, and students.

Your shortcut to success for inspired school leadership! Tap your greatest leadership potential and quickly get on track to meeting today’s complicated challenges with this follow up to the best-selling Learning Forward Book of the Year. Revised and updated stories, references, and quotes complement a completely new section focused on achieving results. Effective leadership exists in us all. These short, inspiration-infused nuggets of actionable advice provide a path to get you there. New features include: A newly added Book 5 for help creating solid data systems and achievable results Over 150 convenient, closely integrated daily contemplations to carry anywhere Succinct, first-hand insights to proven leadership best practices that inspire, challenge, and instruct Up-to-date research on creative solutions to leadership challenges, change, and professional development Build trust, spark innovation, and learn what it really takes to support a community of learners and leaders with this classic leadership resource! "This book continues to resonate, encourage, and motivate action. It′s a powerful combination of inspirational, critical, and practical guidance delivered in daily doses." —Stephanie Hirsh, Executive Director Learning Forward "Every leader needs inspiration and sage advice. Leading Every Day is an almanac of practical information for leaders committed to raising the bar for themselves, their colleagues, and their shared success." —Karen Kearney, Leadership Initiatives WestEd