Educators and instructional leaders in today's schools are under tremendous pressure and time constraints. They have high stakes requirements to show performance achievement of students in their schools and classrooms. The relentless conflict they face is the task of managing the constant disruptions and challenges that exist in a demanding, answer-now world. We must have the tools to respond to these in an efficient and effective manner, so that we can get back to our most important work: helping students learn and grow into successful young adults. Included in this text are quick references for the busy educator to utilize. They are tools developed over decades by educators who recognize the urgency of their work and how they must not be deflected by aggravations of time consuming, emotionally exhausting challenges. Accompanying anecdotal evidence are time tested and research-based practices. If you have ever experienced the challenges of costly arguments, political motives, or minutiae that steer you away, pick up this book for an account of how to favorably alter this fast and effectively!
Michael S. Gaskell, Ed. D. is a veteran principal who has written numerous articles about practical solutions to challenges and problems in education. Dr. Gaskell presents at conferences, works to mentor new administrators, and has a refreshing approach to the inevitable challenges' educators encounter every day.
Table of Contents Foreword Preface Introduction Chapter 1. Introduction/The Quick Chat Intervention Chapter 2. There's More Power in Persuasion than Push Chapter 3. The 1-Liners that Disarm any Parent, Student, or Others in Difficult Situations Chapter 4. Applying the Rule of 9s to Approach every Challenge with Success Chapter 5. Taking on Test Anxiety with 3 Simple, Effective Strategies Chapter 6. The Smartest Educators Steal Chapter 7. The Importance of the 80/20 Principal of Management Chapter 8. Getting Your School/Classroom to Perform Its Best in "Flow" Chapter 9. How I Know if It's All Working or Not, and What to Do about It Chapter 10. Utilizing Non-Faculty Adults to Improve Your School Culture Appendix A Appendix B Bibliography About the Author
This book is a must read for any educator who seeks to balance the daily challenges of their job in order to focus on what is most important - the students! Dr. Gaskell has done an exceptional job of bringing together informative, practical, and tested strategies that will be highly useful for today's professionals. A much needed addition to an educator's bookshelf! -- Jo Ann Magistro, retired superintendent, East Brunswick Schools
