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. TirozziAcknowledgmentsAbout the AuthorAbout the ContributorsIntroduction1. LeadershipLeadership Actions That Build Exemplary SchoolsLeadership: Tim′s Top 10 TipsTwo Essential Leadership QualitiesGood Leaders Ask Good QuestionsLeadership Best Practices: In RetrospectSnapshotsSummaryLeadership ReflectionAdditional ResourcesReferences2. Shaping Campus CultureTrust Is the FoundationTeam ThorntonInfluencing the School CultureShaping a Demographically Changing High SchoolTheme-Based Education: The High School′s MantraDeveloping a Professional Learning CommunityShaping Through Professional DevelopmentIt Takes a VillageGuaranteeing a Better Future for the Entire CommunityShaping a Culture of Leadership in a Rural SchoolThree Ways to Improve Student AchievementSchool Vision and Strategic Planning Are ExcitingGolden OpportunitiesSnapshotsSummaryShaping Campus Culture ReflectionAdditional ResourcesReferences3. Communicating for CollaborationCommunicating for Collaboration With Faculty and Other EducatorsCommunicating for Collaboration With Students, Parents, and the Larger CommunitySummaryCommunicating for Collaboration ReflectionAdditional ResourcesReferences4. Curriculum and InstructionBuild Curricula to Fit Student NeedsClosing the Achievement GapStandards-Based CurriculumSupporting Standards-Based ProgramsChallenging CurriculaFreshman Induction and Looping Improve PerformanceLooping Aids AccountabilityTeam Looping Shares ResponsibilityThe Role of Technical ArtsCRISS-CROSS Professional DevelopmentDifferent Instructional Methods Improve LearningDifferentiated Instruction OpportunitiesAcademic CelebrationsIt′s Not Your Mom′s Detention Anymore: A Study on the Effectiveness of Walking for Fitness as an Alternative to Traditional Afterschool DetentionSnapshotsSummaryCurriculum and Instructional Programs ReflectionAdditional ResourcesReferences5. School Improvement PlansSchool Improvement Improves Us AllWhat I Wish I Had Done DifferentlyEveryone Is Accountable for AllTEAMS Target Improved Student LearningUsing Breaking Ranks II for School ImprovementNew Teacher Mentoring ProgramHow We Use Data AssessmentUsing Assessment DataThe School Improvement Plan as a Living DocumentImproving Academic RigorFive-Minute Classroom Walk-ThroughTeacher ObservationsKnow Your Facility Better Than AnyoneNurturing and Sustaining Best Practices for School ImprovementSnapshotsSummarySchool Improvement Plans ReflectionAdditional ResourcesReferences6. Personalizing the Learning Environment for AllWhat Is and What Ought to BeA Welcoming EnvironmentWhat Every Principal Needs to Know About StudentsBuilding-Based Intervention TeamProviding Individual Attention for At-Risk StudentsFreshmen Transition Program - A Bridge to High SchoolTransition ClassStrategies for a Low-Performing High SchoolESL Students and ReadingFind an AdvocateImproving Reading SkillsIndividualized Graduation PlanDouble Promoting StudentsSnapshotsSummaryPersonalizing the Learning Environment for All ReflectionAdditional ResourcesReferences7. Words of WisdomWords of Wisdom ReflectionReference8. Recommended Reading ListRecommended Reading List Reflection9. ConclusionWe, Not MeSharing a VisionEmpower OthersBalancing Life as a Leader. . . And Don′t ForgetLeadership in RetrospectPeople Are Always FirstTreat Others As You Want to Be TreatedRe-Establishing Campus CultureFebruary FunCommit to CollaborationA Commitment to the TeamListen and Be SafeCommunicating a Collective VisionStudent Academic Achievement PlanSustaining School ImprovementPeople, Not ProgramsStudents, Not SchoolsA Force for GoodReferencesIndex