Category: Leadership

Reflective Thinking for Leaders at All Stages

Educators considering entering administration and those already there will find Kara Knight’s The Confident School Leader a useful guide to key elements of leadership. Reviewer Beth Hassinger found Knight’s discussion of social and emotional aspects particularly helpful.

How Looking Backward Moves Us Forward

In The Power of Regret, creativity and motivation author Dan Pink finds that regrets can make us stronger and more effective in our work. Professional learning consultant Cathy Gassenheimer encourages educators to consider how Pink’s four types of regrets relate to our lives.

Lead Like a COACH on Your Instructional Walks

Any educator who leads in schools will find principal Matt Renwick’s Leading like a C.O.A.C.H. grounded in real boots-on-the-ground work and loaded with opportunities to reflect on and improve leadership practices. Instructional Walks are key, writes school leader Rita Platt.

How to Build Any School into a Success Story

Every school leader needs a focused, intentional process to move a school from what it is to what it can become, writes veteran principal Frank Hagen. Robyn Jackson offers a “new way of thinking” through the phases of her Buildership Model and its 90-day iterative blueprints.

Ed Leaders Share Ideas for Going Forward

After two years of pandemic strain and distraction, it’s time for educators to reclaim the “why,” writes district leader Brian Taylor. “10 Perspectives on Learning in Education” can help teachers and administrators refocus attention “on what we do every day for students.”

Building School Cultures That Support Us All

Handle with Care offers today’s educators a unique set of strategies for building strong cultures in schools that help everyone work more effectively to accomplish the challenging task of preparing students for the brightest futures possible, writes reviewer Dr. Stoney Beavers.

20 Things That Great Principals Do Differently

In What Great Principals Do Differently Todd Whitaker sets out a clear and understandable path to success and demystifies some of the unique aspects of school leadership. Any school leader will find value, reinforcement, and solid advice, writes educator Becky Johnson.

Leadership through Connected Relationships

In Unconventional Leadership, Minnesota principal Jessica M. Cabeen offers principals extensive resources to move beyond the office and become more connected, collaborative, and creative leaders, writes social studies teacher and school PD director Becky Johnson.

8 Ways to Revitalize Your School Leadership

This year the complex and demanding job of a school principal has become even more difficult and challenging. In her book Principal Reboot Jen Schwanke shares ways you can “relax, rediscover, and revive” your success as a principal, writes retired principal Frank Hagen.