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School Leadership From A to Z

Practical Lessons from Successful Schools and Businesses

By: Robert D. Ramsey

What does it take to be an effective school leader? What can we learn from successful schools and other businesses?

Much of what makes a great business organization tick can help make an effective school click as well. School Leadership From A to Z blends proven traditional success secrets for school leaders with newfound strategies and unique methods from businesses and organizations outside the education community. This fresh approach provides 26 compact sections, offering provocative insider insight into critical elements of school leadership, drawing heavily on tough lessons from business and life, as well as successful school experiences, providing:

Leadership lessons from both businesses and schools
Ideas to borrow from the best practices of organizations
What business leaders say about leadership
New vocabulary for school leaders
A reference list of business leadership titles helpful to school leaders

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Product Details

Grade Level: PreK-12
ISBN: 9780761938330
Published By: Corwin
Year: 2003
Page Count: 208
Publication date: May 30, 2003

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Author(s) Table of Contents Reviews

Description

"Ramsey blends practical business ideas, good practice, and commonsense ideas into lessons that all principals should find useful in their work."
Paul Young, 2002-2003 President
National Association of Elementary School Principals

"Once again Ramsey, like a wise mentor, cuts to the heart of leadership. Every reader who likes new ideas, appreciates fresh perspective, and seeks core truths about leadership will include this book in his or her library and recommend it to colleagues."
Don Draayer
1990 AASA National Superintendent of the Year

What does it take to be an effective school leader? What can we learn from successful schools and other businesses?

Much of what makes a great business organization tick can help make an effective school click as well. This valuable new resource combines the best thinking from today's finest schools with proven ideas taken directly from successful businesses and other public and private organizations.

School Leadership From A to Z blends proven traditional success secrets for school leaders with newfound strategies and unique methods from businesses and organizations outside the education community. This fresh approach provides 26 compact sections, offering provocative insider insight into critical elements of school leadership, including: Attitude and Ambiguity Tolerance; Coaching, Culture, and Common Sense; Exceeding Expectations; Inform, Instruct, and Inspire; Networking and Nitpicking; Removing Obstacles, and much more!

This handbook for educational leaders is the first ever to draw heavily on tough lessons from business and life, as well as successful school experiences, providing:

Leadership lessons from both businesses and schools
Ideas to borrow from the best practices of organizations
What business leaders say about leadership
New vocabulary for school leaders
A reference list of business leadership titles helpful to school leaders

If your school is not what it could or should be, something needs to change. This marvelous new resource provides you with the necessary ingredients for success!

Key features

Offers leadership lessons from both business and schools
New vocabulary for school leaders
What business leaders say about leadership
Reference list of business leadership titles
Ideas to borrow from organizational best practices

Author(s)

Robert D. Ramsey

Robert D. Ramsey is a lifelong educator who has served as a "leader of leaders" in three award-winning school districts in two different states. His frontline experience includes positions a teacher, counselor, assistant principal, curriculum director, assistant superintendent, acting superintendent, and adjunct professor. Most recently, he has served as associate superintendent in the St. Louis Park (MN) schools, where every school has been designated by the federal government as a National School of Excellence. Ramsey is now working full-time as a freelance writer in Minneapolis.

Acknowledgments

About the Author

Introduction

A. Attitude and Ambiguity Tolerance

B. Built-in Backbone

C. Coaching, Culture and Common Sense

D. Do the Next Right Thing

E. Exceeding Expectations

F. Fun and the Fish Market Philosophy

G. Goombah and the Golden Rule

H. History and Heroes

I. Inform, Instruct and Inspire

J. Jacks or Better

K. "Kick Butt and Hug"

L. Low-Maintenance Leadership

M. Metaphors and Morale

N. Networking and Nit-picking

O. Optimism or Else

P. P's and Q's

Q. Quid Pro Quo

R. Removing Obstacles

S. Straight Talk

T. Teflon Tenacity

U. U-Turns

V. Vision and Vocabulary

W. Work and Play

X. X-Ray Thinking

Y. Yin and Yang

Z. Zen for School Leaders

A Final Word

Resource 1: A New Vocabulary for School Leaders

Resource 2: What Business Leaders Say About Leadership That School Leaders Need to Hear

Resource 3: Business Books You Might Want to Read to Become a Better School Leader

Resource 4: Borrowing from Business-Bright Ideas You Can Use in Your School Starting Tomorrow Morning

Reviews

"While principals work to identify the balance between management and instructional leadership, to initiate adaptive change, a third component should also be studied: leadership. Ramsey blends practical business ideas, good practice, and common sense ideas into lessons that all principals should find useful in their work."

Paul Young, 2002-2003 President
National Association of Elementary School Principals

"Once again Ramsey, like a wise mentor, cuts to the heart of leadership. Every reader who likes new ideas, appreciates fresh perspective, and seeks core truths about leadership will include this book in his or her library and recommend it to colleagues."

Don Draayer
1990 AASA National Superintendent of the Year

"I highly recommend School Leadership From A to Z for either the rookie or veteran administrator. Ramsey provides through an easy-read, a comprehensive, practical perspective on what it takes to be an effective school leader today. This is a must read for all school leaders."

Roger Hill, Principal
Kirksey Middle School, Rogers, AR

"What does it take to be an effective school leader in today's schools? Ramsey has the answers in this wonderful hands-on guide for the aspiring or practicing administrator. Written in a style that allows the reader to read through the book or to use it as quick reference, Ramsey has captured the best practices from both schools and businesses. A practical handbook for all school leaders."

Denny Vincent, President
National Association of Secondary School Principals

"This book offers something for all school leaders--the seasoned veteran, the beginning neophyte, and everyone in between. Ramsey's observations hit at the very core of what's important in leadership and offer practical suggestions for coping with the daily challenges that face today's school leaders."

Patti Kinney, Principal
Talent Middle School, Talent, OR

"Dr. Ramsey possesses the rare ability to communicate his passion for the mission of education, while providing an effective and practical mentoring tool for all who face the daily challenges of school leadership. This book is a necessity for the professional library of the entry-level school administrator. I highly recommend this outstanding resource, which is filled with helpful and practical ideas for all who serve leadership roles in public and private education."

Bob Tift, President
Benilde-St. Margaret's School, St. Louis Park, MN

"This book tackles the everyday problems that we all face--and it is accomplished with style. Topics are addressed from A-Z, complete with eye-catching titles--titles that make the reader want to turn to the next chapter. Although packed with lots of information, I found myself chuckling over specific anecdotes, solutions, and straight-to-the point advice. The book is reader friendly and very applicable."

Belinda Akin, Principal
Monticello Intermediate School, Monticello, AR