Best Practices of Award-Winning Secondary School Principals

Sandra Harris is currently associate professor in the Educational Leadership Department at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, where she teaches classes in social justice, action research, and other administrator preparation courses in the doctoral program. Formerly, Harris served as a teacher, principal, and superintendent in public and private schools. Her scholarship agenda includes administrator preparation, K-12 peer harassment, and building relationship-oriented, socially just school environments. Harris publishes and presents at regional, state, and national conferences on these topics.

Foreword by Gerald N. Tirozzi Acknowledgments About the Author About the Contributors Introduction 1. Leadership Leadership Actions That Build Exemplary Schools Leadership: Tim's Top 10 Tips Two Essential Leadership Qualities Good Leaders Ask Good Questions Leadership Best Practices: In Retrospect Snapshots Summary Leadership Reflection Additional Resources References 2. Shaping Campus Culture Trust Is the Foundation Team Thornton Influencing the School Culture Shaping a Demographically Changing High School Theme-Based Education: The High School's Mantra Developing a Professional Learning Community Shaping Through Professional Development It Takes a Village Guaranteeing a Better Future for the Entire Community Shaping a Culture of Leadership in a Rural School Three Ways to Improve Student Achievement School Vision and Strategic Planning Are Exciting Golden Opportunities Snapshots Summary Shaping Campus Culture Reflection Additional Resources References 3. Communicating for Collaboration Communicating for Collaboration With Faculty and Other Educators Communicating for Collaboration With Students, Parents, and the Larger Community Summary Communicating for Collaboration Reflection Additional Resources References 4. Curriculum and Instruction Build Curricula to Fit Student Needs Closing the Achievement Gap Standards-Based Curriculum Supporting Standards-Based Programs Challenging Curricula Freshman Induction and Looping Improve Performance Looping Aids Accountability Team Looping Shares Responsibility The Role of Technical Arts CRISS-CROSS Professional Development Different Instructional Methods Improve Learning Differentiated Instruction Opportunities Academic Celebrations It's Not Your Mom's Detention Anymore: A Study on the Effectiveness of Walking for Fitness as an Alternative to Traditional Afterschool Detention Snapshots Summary Curriculum and Instructional Programs Reflection Additional Resources References 5. School Improvement Plans School Improvement Improves Us All What I Wish I Had Done Differently Everyone Is Accountable for All TEAMS Target Improved Student Learning Using Breaking Ranks II for School Improvement New Teacher Mentoring Program How We Use Data Assessment Using Assessment Data The School Improvement Plan as a Living Document Improving Academic Rigor Five-Minute Classroom Walk-Through Teacher Observations Know Your Facility Better Than Anyone Nurturing and Sustaining Best Practices for School Improvement Snapshots Summary School Improvement Plans Reflection Additional Resources References 6. Personalizing the Learning Environment for All What Is and What Ought to Be A Welcoming Environment What Every Principal Needs to Know About Students Building-Based Intervention Team Providing Individual Attention for At-Risk Students Freshmen Transition Program - A Bridge to High School Transition Class Strategies for a Low-Performing High School ESL Students and Reading Find an Advocate Improving Reading Skills Individualized Graduation Plan Double Promoting Students Snapshots Summary Personalizing the Learning Environment for All Reflection Additional Resources References 7. Words of Wisdom Words of Wisdom Reflection Reference 8. Recommended Reading List Recommended Reading List Reflection 9. Conclusion We, Not Me Sharing a Vision Empower Others Balancing Life as a Leader . . . And Don't Forget Leadership in Retrospect People Are Always First Treat Others As You Want to Be Treated Re-Establishing Campus Culture February Fun Commit to Collaboration A Commitment to the Team Listen and Be Safe Communicating a Collective Vision Student Academic Achievement Plan Sustaining School Improvement People, Not Programs Students, Not Schools A Force for Good References Index