Conversations With Principals

Dr. Andrew Dubin is Professor of Educational Administration in the Department of Administration and Interdisciplinary Studies (DAIS) in the College of Education at San Francisco State University. He received his Ph.D. from Claremont Graduate School and has worked as teacher, Dean of Discipline and Grade Advisor in New York City, abroad as a teacher and drama specialist at Colegio Nueva Granada in Bogota, Colombia, South America, and as a Principal and Superintendent for the International School in Lahore, Pakistan. In 1994, he was Headmaster for the International American School in Rome, Italy. He is published nationally and internationally, has worked as an Educational Consultant, Lecturer at California State University, Fullerton and Program Coordinator in Educational Administration at University of California at Irvine. He also directed a teacher training program for returning Peace Corps Volunteers at SFSU. Dr. Dubin has developed the Educational Administration Leadership Institutes in San Francisco, San Mateo County and is currently directing the Marin County Leadership Institute.

Introduction The Role of the Principal Connecting the Principal to the Reader How the Principal Interviews were formulated Organization of the Book Connecting Across Interviews Matrix of Principal Interviews PART 1: ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Chapter 1: Changing the School Culture Chapter 2: Personal and Professional Belief Systems Chapter 3: Maintaining Stability and History Chapter 4: Social Exchange and Power Chapter 5: The Lens of Decision-Making PART 2: MIDDLE SCHOOL Chapter 6: Leadership Focus and Planning Chapter 7: Evaluation and the Political Arena Chapter 8: Students in Transition PART 3: HIGH SCHOOL Chapter 9: Perceptions and Assumptions Chapter 10: Addressing Organizational and Personal Needs Chapter 11: Group Dynamics and Multi-Nationalism PART 4: NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND Chapter 12: A Principal's Approach to NCLB Chapter 13: A Superintendent's Perspective on NCLB Readings and Resources References Appendix

"This book meets a need faced by school leader preparation programs-that of bringing reality to abstract concepts. . . . This book will work well as a springboard for discussion with students." -- Brenda LeTendre "Books on educational leadership are often detached from the practicalities of managing a school. This cannot be said of Dubin's new volume. The many years Dubin spent as an administrator and professor are evident in the insightful and probing questions he poses. This volume will make an outstanding addition to the libraries of scholars interested in the vital role principals play in educational reform, and it will prove to be an invaluable teaching resource in the training of principals." -- A. Cooley "The preparation of educational leaders is a daunting yet crucial undertaking. This synthesis of a few of the principal interviews conducted and analyzed in Conversations with Principals: Issues, Values and Politics provides an enlightening window into their professional experiences, lives and decision-making approaches. These conversations connect and, almost through osmosis, mentor the aspiring educational leaders to understand the demands, complexity and impact of school leadership. Through these principals' 'inner voices,' candidates can become more sensitized and prepared to assume decision-making roles in our K-12 schools." -- Educational Leadership and Administration: Teaching and Program Development