The New Principal's Fieldbook: Strategies for Success

Pamela Robbins, Harvey B. Alvy

ASCD, 2004 - Education - 305 pages

Grounded in recent research and successful practice, The New Principal's Fieldbook prepares new and aspiring principals for the unexpected twists and turns of school leadership. Capitalizing on their experiences and those of other educational leaders, authors Pam Robbins and Harvey Alvy offer practical information, research-based strategies, and provocative stories to help principals develop into visionary leaders skilled in promoting the success of students and teachers.

Surprises, obstacles, and opportunities characterize the leadership path. Within the chapters, the authors use research and specific examples from recognized practitioners to create a road map for navigating the complex challenges of the principalship. Collectively, the book's themes mirror key content areas addressed by the ISLLC Standards for School Leaders as well as other topics essential for success:

* Creating a shared vision that places student learning at the heart of the school

* Transforming toxic cultures into positive cultures

Dealing with challenging experiences unique to new principals

* Promoting quality teaching and learning

* Creating professional learning communities

* Facilitating change within the school culture

* Building productive partnerships with central office staff, parents, and the greater community

* Designing management tasks as leadership tools

* Working with unions, budgets, the law, and the media

* Balancing personal and professional responsibilities

* Leading ethically and with emotional intelligence

Robbins and Alvy guide the reader through important concepts and practices, including instructional leadership, data-driven decision making, differentiated supervision, professional development, crisis intervention, and time management. At the end of each chapter, they invite readers to reflect on how to apply their new knowledge to real situations. Covering everything from everyday management tasks to the larger goal of student success, The New Principal's Fieldbook is an essential guide for new and aspiring principals.

Contents

• 1Vision as the Compass: 1
• 2Navigating in Hidden History: 14
• 3Lessons Learned from Previous Explorers: 43
• 4Developing Professional Learning Communities for a Productive Journey: 70
• The Helmsman in Action: 88
• 6Improving Student Learning Through Supervision and Professional Development: 118
• 7Managing Human and Material Resources to Promote a Thriving Organization: 144
• 8Emotions as a Gateway to Learning: 183
• New Roads and Detours: 192
• 10Policies FullService Counseling and Crisis Intervention That Suport Students: 206
• 11The Schoolhouse and Central Office Working Together: 229
• Partnering for Student Success: 239
• 13Working with the Media: 256
• Keeping Fit for the Journey: 270
• 15The Crucial First Steps on the Road to Success: 276
• A Final Thought: 289
• References: 290
• Index: 296
• About the Authors: 304

Bibliographic information

• Title: The New Principal's Fieldbook: Strategies for Success
• Authors: Pamela Robbins, Harvey B. Alvy
• Contributor: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
• Edition: illustrated
• Publisher: ASCD, 2004
• ISBN: 087120858X, 9780871208583
• Length: 305 pages
• Subjects: Education / Administration / General; Education / Administration / School Superintendents & Principals; Education / Adult & Continuing Education; Education / General; Education / Professional Development; Education / Teaching / General; Education / Vocational & Technical