The New Principal's Fieldbook

Strategies for Success

Pam Robbins, Harvey Alvy

• Publisher: ASCD
• Year: 2004
• Print ISBN: 9780871208583
• eBook ISBN: 9781416601388
• Topic: Education
• Subtopic: Education General

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.

Note: This product listing is for the Adobe Acrobat (PDF) version of the book.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Table of Contents
• Acknowledgments
• Preface: A Moment Remembered...
• Chapter 1: Vision as the Compass
• Chapter 2: Navigating in “Hidden History”
• Chapter 3: Lessons Learned from Previous Explorers
• Chapter 4: Developing Professional Learning Communities for a Productive Journey
• Chapter 5: Instructional, Curricular, and Assessment Leadership: The Helmsman in Action
• Chapter 6: Improving Student Learning Through Supervision and Professional Development
• Chapter 7: Managing Human and Material Resources to Promote a Thriving Organization
• Chapter 8: Emotions as a Gateway to Learning
• Chapter 9: Understanding and Working with Change: New Roads and Detours
• Chapter 10: Policies, Full-Service Counseling, and Crisis Intervention That Support Students
• Chapter 11: The Schoolhouse and Central Office Working Together
• Chapter 12: Parents and the Greater Community: Partnering for Student Success
• Chapter 13: Working with the Media
• Chapter 14: Balancing Professional and Personal Lives: Keeping Fit for the Journey
• Chapter 15: The Crucial First Steps on the Road to Success
• A Final Thought
• References
• Index
• About the Authors
• Related ASCD Resources
• Search this Book