Dealing with the Tough Stuff Practical Solutions for School Administrators

by Gabriel, John; Farmer, Paul

• ISBN13: 9781118132944
• ISBN10: 1118132947
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2012-08-14
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass

Summary

The formal preparation for becoming a school leader usually trains aspiring principals on basic topics like instruction and curriculum, supervision and evaluation, finance, and school law. But in most cases, before a teacher can become a principal, he or she must first work as an assistant principal. Fledgling administrators are often left to their own devices to navigate the slippery terrain inherent in this role. What They Didn't Tell Me About Being a School Leader addresses some of the thornier aspects of being an assistant principal: handling discipline, mediating student conflicts, working with parents, facilitating parent conferences, and working with staff members. A handful of beginning school administrators are fortunate enough to have a mentor who provides guidance in these tough areas, but for the many novice administrators who don't have someone to show them the ropes, this book will teach the tricks of the trade in order to survive and thrive in the job.

Author Biography

John G. Gabriel is a nationally known presenter, best-selling author, and principal of John Champe High School in Loudoun County, Virginia. Paul C. Farmer, a veteran educator and former school principal, is an educational consultant with Solution Tree, Inc., providing consulting services nationally for schools and districts.

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. ix
Acknowledgments	p. xiii
About the Authors	p. xv
Introduction	p. xvii
Working with Students	p. 1
Responding to Student Conflicts	p. 3
Recognize Student Conflicts	p. 4
Mediate Student Conflicts	p. 6
Address Bullying	p. 14
Resolve Student-Teacher Conflicts	p. 23
Understanding and Preventing Student Misbehavior	p. 27
Discuss Discipline with Your Staff	p. 29
Review Discipline Data	p. 39
Make Connections	p. 40
Dealing with Student Discipline	p. 45
Review Your Referrals	p. 47
Engage Your Students	p. 49
Work with Your Students	p. 55
Conducting Investigations	p. 61
Manage Your Investigation	p. 62
Address Postdiscipline Concerns	p. 72
Working with Adults	p. 79
Creating and Maintaining Parent Partnerships	p. 81
Build a Foundation	p. 82
Involve Parents	p. 88
Keep the Focus on the Student	p. 92
Go Above and Beyond	p. 95
Facilitating Parent Conferences	p. 99
Before the Conference	p. 100
During the Conference	p. 103
After the Conference	p. 108
Navigating Staff Communication	p. 111
Guide Conversations	p. 112
Focus on Behaviors, Not Attitudes	p. 124
Tend the Grapevine	p. 126
Building Capacity	p. 129
Maintain a Focus on Deep Learning	p. 130
Provide Support for Collaborative Teams	p. 140
Develop Other Leaders	p. 150
Conclusion: Beyond the Tough Stuff	p. 153
References	p. 157
Index	p. 161
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