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Are You Sure You're the Principal?
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Are You Sure You're the Principal?
A Guide for New and Aspiring Leaders

Second Edition

Foreword by Roland S. Barth



May 2008 | 152 pages | Corwin

"For those aspiring to be school principals, this book brings into focus the realities of serving in a leadership role. A must-read for tomorrow's principals!"
—Gerald Tirozzi, Executive Director
National Association of Secondary School Principals

"Villani offers stories and vignettes that capture the deepest questions and concerns faced by new and aspiring principals and reminds readers that they are not alone."
—Stephanie Hirsh, Executive Director
National Staff Development Council

A wealth of leadership craft knowledge from a principal who has "been there"!

Establishing collaborative relationships with staff, building trust, and fostering a climate of mutual respect are goals that principals strive for on a daily basis. The second edition of Are You Sure You're The Principal? helps school leaders build upon these authentic leadership qualities by combining practical advice and theoretical insight with no-nonsense leadership and reflective strategies to improve principals' professional practice. Ideal for new and experienced school leaders, this resource discusses how to balance listening and leading, work through conflict, be a mentor, and seek out advisors for guidance and support. This second edition is updated with:

  • A new chapter on career fulfillment
  • Advice on evaluating goals, preferences, and opportunities
  • Study guides related to each chapter for group or individual professional development

Through personal stories and commentaries, the author provides a mentor-in-a-book that helps principals feel more supported within the school community.


 
Foreword by Roland S. Barth
 
Preface
 
About the Author
 
Introduction
 
1. Are You Sure You're the Principal?
First Impressions

 
Larger Than Life

 
The Look of Leadership

 
A Little Respect

 
 
2. Working Through Conflict
Saving Face

 
The Pain of Ostracism and the Power of Understanding

 
Knowing When to Hold and When to Fold

 
What's Worth Fighting For

 
Diversity in the Principal's Office

 
Establishing Credibility

 
Lessons Learned

 
 
3. Communicating Who We Are and What We Believe
Using Symbols to Convey Values

 
She Smiles Too Much

 
Being Clear

 
Expressing Outrage

 
Telling Our Truths

 
How We Are Known

 
Accepting Ourselves

 
 
4. Building Community
Making All Students Feel Part of the Community

 
Acceptance Based on Being

 
Hiring New Teachers and Promoting Teacher Development

 
What We Have in Common

 
Lonely at the Top

 
Sharing Leadership: When and How

 
 
5. Advisors, Mentors, and Allies
Demonstrating Caring

 
Seeking or Accepting Support

 
The Serendipity of Mutual Mentoring

 
Passing the Torch and Sharing Its Light

 
 
6. Reflecting on a Career: Committing to Pursue Professional Passion
Am I in the Right Place Doing the Work I Want to Be Doing?

 
My Choices and Yours

 
 
People Whose Work Is Featured in the Sudy Guides
 
Study Guide for All Chapters
 
Study Guides for Individual Chapter
 
References
 
Index

"Through the use of stories, Susan Villani brings to life the essence of school leadership. For those aspiring to be school principals, this book brings into focus the realities of serving in a leadership role. A must-read for tomorrow’s principals!"

Gerald Tirozzi, Executive Director
National Association of Secondary School Principals

"Susan Villani offers stories and vignettes that capture the deepest questions and concerns faced by new and aspiring principals and reminds readers that they are not alone; others have faced these challenges and survived to tell the story."

Stephanie Hirsh, Executive Director
National Staff Development Council

"An engaging storyteller, Villani models the caring, compassionate, and reflective practice that characterizes effective principals. A vivid picture of authentic leadership emerges as we experience Villani's sometimes painful, yet always instructive actions recounted with humor and grace. We are privileged to witness the emotional as well as the cognitive side of Villani's journey to greater self-awareness, and to benefit from the voices included in the study guide."

Mary Forte Hayes, Executive Director
Massachusetts Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
Key features
  • Updated with reflective practice exercises throughout
  • New book study guide included for independent study, professional learning groups, and class instructors

Sample Materials & Chapters

Foreword

Preface

Chapter 1


Purchasing options

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ISBN: 9781412958158
CAD$ 41.95

For large school/district orders, volume discounts, availability and shipping times contact customer service at 800-233-9936
or order@corwin.com.

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