The Principal's Guide to Managing School Personnel

Learn more about Richard Sorenson's PD offerings Richard D. Sorenson, professor emeritus, is the former director of the Principal Preparation Program and chairperson of the Educational Leadership and Foundations Department at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). He earned his doctorate from Texas A&M University at Corpus Christi in educational leadership. Dr. Sorenson served public schools for 25 years as a social studies teacher, assistant principal, principal, and associate superintendent for human resources. Dr. Sorenson worked with graduate students at UTEP in the area of school-based budgeting, personnel, educational law, and leadership development. During his 20-year tenure, he was named The University of Texas at El Paso College of Education Professor of the Year, and he remains an active writer with numerous professional journal publications. Dr. Sorenson continues to author other principal-oriented textbooks. He also developed teacher resource guides, and workbooks in the area of the elementary and secondary social studies curricula. He has been actively involved in numerous professional organizations, including the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association (TEPSA) and the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals (TASSP), for which he conducted, for a decade, annual new-principal academy seminars. Dr. Sorenson has been married to his wife, Donna, for the past 48 years and they have two adult children, Lisa (a school counselor with the Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District in Houston, Texas) and Ryan (an exercise physiologist in Dallas, Texas); a wonderful son-in-law, Sam (a petroleum engineer in Houston, Texas); and a delightful daughter-in-law, Nataly (executive director of a Christian center in Dallas, Texas) along with four amazing grandchildren: Savannah, Nehemiah, and Amelia, and one little guy, Oliver-all of whom are the pride and joy of his life. Rick and Donna, long-term residents of El Paso, out in the mountain and desert region of "true" West Texas, now reside near their grandchildren in Cypress (northwest Houston), Texas. Lloyd M. Goldsmith, professor emeritus, earned his EdD in educational leadership from Baylor University. He was a professor for 20 years at Abilene Christian University (ACU), some of those years at ACU (Dallas), where he taught doctoral courses in leadership theory. He also served as an admissions officer as well as a former director of the Principal Preparation Program and department chairperson at ACU. Dr. Goldsmith taught school budgeting, instructional leadership, and leadership theory. He served public schools for 29 years as an elementary science teacher, middle school assistant principal, and elementary school principal. Dr. Goldsmith and a fellow chemistry professor codirected a program facilitating high school chemistry teachers in developing effective instructional strategies. Dr. Goldsmith served on several state committees for the Texas Education Agency. He also served two terms as president of the Texas Council of Professors of Educational Administration. He is an active member at his church and enjoys serving others. He spends time volunteering at his grandchildren's schools and supporting their activities. He also enjoys traveling and attending ACU sporting events. Dr. Goldsmith has been married to his wife, Mary, for the past 40 years. They reside near their three children and families in Abilene, Texas. Mary is a retired high school biology teacher, serving students for 41 years. Lloyd and Mary have three adult children-Abigail (active in the PTO where she serves as president) and her husband, Andrew (works in business development for a nuclear research lab), Eleanor (a second grade Title I teacher), and her husband, Kris (a chef, restaurant owner and culinary arts teacher), and Nelson (a licensed professional building inspector) and his wife, Kristen. He also has four grandchildren, Luke, Hilary, Levi, and Oliver. Plus, the Goldsmiths' have six grand dogs! Life is good!

List of Tables List of Figures Preface Acknowledgments About the Authors and Contributing Author 1. Personnel and the National Standards ISLLC Standards and Personnel Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium Standards Final Thought Discussion Questions Case Study Application 2. Personnel and School Culture Culture and Climate Shaping Culture for the Common Good 11 Ten Most Wanted Strategies for Shaping School Culture Quarter Till Eleven Final Thought Discussion Questions Case Study Application Other Resources 3. Personnel and the Principal Truth Is Stranger Than Fiction The Effective School Leader and Personnel Relationship The Principled Personnel Model Leadership Traits Essential to Working Effectively With School Personnel The Administration and Supervision of School Personnel Final Thoughts Discussion Questions Case Study Application Other Resources 4. Personnel and Communication Basics of Communication The Completed Personnel Success Model The Principled Personnel Model and Communication Effective Communication Behaviors Final Thoughts One More Final Thought Discussion Questions Case Study Applications Other Resources 5. Personnel and Conflict Resolution Who Made You Boss? Effective School Leadership in the Midst of Conflict The Principal's Peace Primer Final Thoughts Discussion Questions Case Study Application 6. Personnel and Recruitment and Selection Finding Mr. or Ms. Right Recruitment of Personnel Selection of Personnel Leading by Interviewing Final Thoughts Discussion Questions Case Study Application Other Resources 7. Personnel and Induction and Mentoring Programs How Principals Fail Personnel The Induction and Mentoring of Personnel Final Thoughts Discussion Questions Case Study Application 8. Personnel and Adverse Situations No Rules - No Worries Leading Personnel Is Hard Work Proactive and Corrective Actions Performance Expectations School Policies, Procedures, and Administrative Regulations Documentation of Personnel Due Process Guidelines for Working With Personnel in Need of Assistance Controversial Personnel Issues The Supervision of Marginal Employees Grievances Causes for Termination Union-Management Relationships Contracts for Public School Employees Final Thoughts Discussion Questions Case Study Application Other Resources References and Further Reading Index

"This book serves as a valuable tool for districts seeking to enhance the skill level of their principals and would be ideal for professional development. I would have greatly welcomed a book of this nature when I was a principal." -- Carolyn Banks, Regional Director of Teacher Education "An excellent tool for aspiring principals as well as those who find it uplifting to be reassured that they are doing the right thing." -- Gerard Dery, Principal "Demonstrates the importance of the principal in personnel issues and provides thoughtful and well-researched suggestions, formats, behaviors, and ideas for dealing with the management, leadership, selection, induction, retention, and dismissal of employees. The chapters on conflict and adverse situations are of particular help." -- Rosemarie Young, Principal "The book does a wonderful job of taking the research about personnel management and translating it into practice for aspiring and current school leaders." -- Patricia M. Richardson, Professor of Practice "Principals, superintendents, district-level leaders, school board members, and human resource directors would all benefit from this book. The material and concepts presented are germane to today's leadership challenges. The personnel function is more than hiring and firing, it is the heart and soul of schools and a critical factor that directly relates to student achievement." -- Boyd Dressler, Professor