Product Description

"This book delivers on its promise. Both practical and visionary, the book is a perfect fit for principals who have to be both managers and leaders."
-Robert D. Ramsey, Author, Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way

"Great schools reflect great principals and this book will help new leaders on their way."
-Vincent Ferrandino, Executive Director, National Association of Elementary School Principals

"Beginning the Principalship stays grounded in the day-to-day realities of the school leader's professional life, but retains focus on the priority of the teaching and learning process."
-Gerald N. Tirozzi, Executive Director, National Association of Secondary School Principals

The best way to learn the ropes is to have an expert at your side. Beginning the Principalship, Third Edition is exactly that kind of essential encouragement and help you need! Filled with updated and new information designed to help you survive your first years as principal, this new edition of John C. Daresh’s bestseller provides the resources you need to become a strong and effective leader.

Find out how you can:

• Manage others' expectations of you as principal 
• Master the technical skills necessary to run a school 
• Create and clarify your personal professional growth plan 
• Work effectively with the community
• Incorporate staff in school goals and initiatives
• Work more effectively with parents

In compelling scenarios from new principals, Daresh focuses on the practical skills for developing a network, the process of finding mentors, and the importance of professional organizations. With the tools this guide offers, you will build the skills you need to thrive as a principal, growing more comfortable-and more confident-in your role as school leader!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #374561 in Books
• Published on: 2006-03-21
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 200 pages

Review
"The major strengths of this book are the format and the emphasis on self-reflection and self-assessment. The information presented is solid and provides a great framework for the new principal." (Jim Hoogheem )

"There is no doubt as to the purpose of this book. From the title to the end, it clearly is designed to help the new principal begin a successful career. The various sections which call for introspection and action are meaningful and will provide both the new and the experienced administrator many thought-provoking hours of self evaluation. This book makes a distinct contribution to the field. Even as an administrator with over 25 years of experience, there were several areas which caused me to go back and evaluate if I could do some things better." (Stephen Handley, Principal )

Review

"This book delivers on its promise. Both practical and visionary, the book is a perfect fit for principals who have to be both managers and leaders."

About the Author

John C. Daresh, Ph.D. is Professor of Educational Leadership and the Director of the Principal Preparation Program at the University of Texas, El Paso. A consultant for school districts, universities and state departments of education nationally and internationally, he also has more than 20 years of experience in higher education, holding both faculty and administrative positions. His extensive career in education began with working in public and private schools.

Customer Reviews

This book was entirely too basic.
As a first year principal, I was hoping to gain additional insight into the profession. However, what I found was very basic and largely common sense. I have read several books for my post graduate work that were much more helpful. Sorry-it's not worth the read.

Excellent Book for All Principals
This book, Beginning the Principalship: A Practical Guide for New School Leaders, was selected because it had the potential of providing realistic, practical, yet theoretically based information about being a principal. I was not disappointed nor were the 30+ students who used the book. The book was the class text for students taking the course which focused on the principal and how that position influences the organization and administration of a school. Students took the course via an indepdendent study format as well as in the traditional in-class format. Student comments were positive about the book and to a person they indicated they would keep the book as reference. They liked its useability, the examples the authors provided, and the way it was organized. What surprised me were the supportive comments from existing school principals who, out of curiosity, looked over the book that was being used by a colleague. I had three principals inquire about how they could get a copy.

The title indicates the book is for "beginning" principals but the book is valuable for all prinicipals. Through excellent organization of aspects of leading and administering a school the authors provide sound examples of life as a principal. The checklists are excellent reminders for all principals, they sensitize principals to the expectations colleagues and constituents have for principals, and the result of the book is a clear understanding of the demands of the job and what a new or experienced principal values as an educator and person. The educational platform that emerges from the book synthesizes professional and personal values will serve as a foundation for whoever reads the book.

This is an excellent book for potential, new, and experienced school administrators. Its value goes beyond classroom walls as it can be used to help make the adjustment to being a new principal or gaining perspective about being a principal. It is a must read for all school administrators and teachers would benefit from it as well.