Rowman & Littlefield Publishers Learning to Lead: Ten Stories for Principals

Principals must be knowledgeable about students, curriculum, teacher performance, and the community that they serve while at the same time, able to manage a myriad of daily activities. Often times, management activities predominate and take time away from leadership leaving little time for principals to engage in reflective thinking and proactive planning. Learning to Lead provides ten ideas essential to effective school leadership, which are illustrated in the individual and collective traits and qualities of the principal. This book will inspire and encourage school leaders to reflect on their work; to look beneath the surface of what they do to examine what really matters; and to fine-tune their practice to build their capacity to truly make a difference in schools. It will be of interest to anyone with an interest in the principalship. Review Learning to Lead: Ten Stories for Principals is a just-in-time resource. The book is an excellent resource for experienced principals mentoring new principals, new principals searching for answers, and college professors needing texts to help prepare future principals.-- "Principal"The authors creatively use lessons from children's literature to help define what it means to be an effective and committed school leader. They present ten ideas essential to effective school leadership, which are illustrated in the individual and collective traits and qualities of the principal. This book encourages school leaders to reflect on their work, look beneath the surface of what they do to examine what really matters, and fine-tune their practice to build their capacity to truly make a difference in schools.-- "District Administration"The book is cleverly conceived and well-written....The sources are well-documented and woven together to make a scholarly presentation, but a delightful read. The book also provides an approach to leading students through the stories they know and to which they can relate. This book should be in every principal's library and reread, just as children reread the stories, to remember the points within the leadership principles.-- "Kappa Delta Pi Record"Using their combined 64 years as principals, Michael Chirichello and Nancy Richmond provide readers with valuable information and suggestions to be applied immediately.-- "School Administrator, March 2008"An original and wonderfully accessible contribution to the literature on the principalship--sure to touch the hearts and minds of principals and to help them see and feel the illusive concept at the heart of their work: leadership.--Joseph Murphy, Ph.D., professor and founding chair of ISLLC, Peabody College of Vanderbilt UniversityUsing children's stories as a unique lens for understanding the role of the principal, Michael Chirichello and Nancy Richmond explore practical, real-life truths about effective leadership for today's schools.--Robert Evans, Ed.D, author of Family Matters: How Schools Can Cope with The Crisis in Childrearing and The Human Side of School ChangeEvery principal who has grappled with finding the time to be 'everything to everybody' should read this book. The authors have grasped the essence of the many struggles principals face in their leadership roles. A must-read for all those principals experienced in their craft, and those just beginning their noble journey. Kudos to the authors who have captured a world of dreams and imagination through children's literature to help define effective leadership in a unique way!--Maria A. Corso, principal, Lyncrest Elementary School, Fair Lawn, New Jersey and 2005 NAESP National Distinguished PrincipalLearning to Leadis a delightful and helpful book that affirms one's desire to make a difference. This book will become a huge success as readers recognize the wisdom, humor, and humanity so clearly woven throughout its pages.--Marie M. Adair, executive director, New Jersey Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development