School principals must have continued support in their positions, as societal demands and accountability measures keep changing. Principals have become inundated with increased responsibilities often without the benefit support in the most critical areas. Too often, district personnel are not equipped to provide the learning needed in order to support school administrators. Support for Principals: Firsthand Experiences in Planning Programs and Activitiesis a compilation of support programs in critical areas to include the "how to" design and implementation of support programs. Support may include social/emotional factors, special education, school finance, technology integration, action research, and the role of higher education to name a few. Many districts have programs in place, but they do not attain the desired results because of the program design and readiness of staff. Each chapter will explain how to design an effective program and will also outline the district's responsibility in the support.
Lee A. Westberry is a former school administrator with over 20 years of experience at the middle, high, and district level. Currently, she serves as an assistant professor of educational leadership, training new educators to be tomorrow's principals.
Preface Chapter 1 Social and Emotional Needs of Principals Larry Daniel, University of Texas Permian Basin Kevin Badgett, University of Texas Permian Basin Chapter 2: Systems Planning: An Essential Skill Lee Westberry, The Citadel Chapter 3: Action Research: A Powerful Tool for School Improvement Gail Gilmore, The Citadel Renee Jefferson, The Citadel Lee Westberry, The Citadel Chapter 4: Technology Integration: Administrators Leading the Charge Rachel Biritz, Clemson University Chapter 5: The Importance of School Law for the School Leader Kent Murray, The Citadel Chapter 6: Principals and Special Education: What's the Big IDEA Amanda Stefanski, Columbia College Christine LeBlanc, Columbia College Brennan Davis, Columbia College Chapter 7: Instructional Supervision: Supporting a Culture of Teaching and Learning Christine LeBlanc, Columbia College Brennan Davis, Columbia College Chapter 8: From Having All the Answers to Engaging in Collective Learning: Re-Envisioning the Role of the Principal and the Approach to Support Paula Thorp, Mississippi State University Myron LaBat, Mississippi State University Leigh McMullan, Mississipi State University
In this edited book, Support for Principals: Firsthand Experiences in Planning Programs and Activities, Dr. Lee Westberry has assembled authors who can speak credibly to the absolute necessity of the work associated with implementing system approaches to leading and learning across such critical areas as technology, instructional supervision, social emotional learning, and special education. Complementary areas including school law and action research round out the necessity of schoolwide coherence to achieve real-world applications to practice. This is a much needed inside look at leading and learning in the schoolhouse because each chapter includes practical strategies alongside the theory that undergird them. The reader will walk away with road maps to increase leader, teacher, and system capacity to improve education. This is a must-read book that will fuel professional conversations and quickly become a resource for many years to come. -- Sally J. Zepeda, PhD, Professor, University of Georgia Support for Principals: Firsthand Experiences in Planning Programs and Activitiesis a helpful resource for principals striving to be highly effective planners. Not only do chapters highlight some of the most important programs and activities that principals must lead in their schools, but they also provide the mechanisms for districts to do so. A must read! -- Noelle Paufler, PhD, Assistant Professor, Clemson University As a former principal and school board member, I realize how important principal support is to the success of a school and school district. Support for Principals: Firsthand Experiences in Planning Programs and Activities provides a wonderful introduction to school level leadership. Many areas, such as school law, systems, instructional supervision, and special education are discussed. Not only does Support for Principals provide professors in Educational Leadership with an outstanding textbook for graduate students, it also provides districts with the "how to" in providing support for principals in many challenging areas. -- Kent Murray, professor, The Citadel There is a lot about being principal that can only be learned on the job. However, understanding processes, systems and ever-changing legislation can help leaders to navigate tough times. This book Support for Principals: Firsthand Experiences in Planning Programs and Activities outlines many of the major issues in our schools today while providing key insights and a framework that helps align thinking with the "30,000ft view" of our buildings as leaders. -- Chris Buchholz, Principal, Philip Simmons High School, Berkeley County School District
