Remembering What's Important

Charles A. Bonnici has been an educator for forty years, serving as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal in the New York City public school system. For the past ten years, as an adjunct professor at Pace University, he has developed and taught three educational leadership courses for students seeking their state certification.

• Chapter 1 ForewordChapter 2 PrefaceChapter 3 Table of ContentsChapter 4 IntroductionChapter 5 Chapter 1: SurvivingChapter 6 Chapter 2: Improving Instruction: Guidelines for the Observation ProcessChapter 7 Chapter 3: Improving Instruction: Alternative Observations and Other PracticesChapter 8 Chapter 4: Hiring New StaffChapter 9 Chapter 5: Training and Retaining New Teachers: The Critical First WeekChapter 10 Chapter 6: Training and Retaining New Teachers: The Fall SemesterChapter 11 Chapter 7: Training and Retaining New Teachers: The Spring SemesterChapter 12 Chapter 8: Creating a Positive School Ambience: Respect, Instruction, WelcomeChapter 13 Chapter 9: Creating a Positive School Ambience: Support Services, Parental Involvement, Staff Development, Punitive MeasuresChapter 14 Chapter 10: Establishing Formal and Informal Systems for Creating a Positive School AmbienceChapter 15 Chapter 11: Working with the Custodian and Physical PlantChapter 16 Chapter 12: Dealing with the Larger Context: The School District, Media, Advisory Boards and CelebritiesChapter 17 Chapter 13 Dealing with the Larger Context: Politics, Parents and PanaceasChapter 18 Chapter 14: Passing the BatonChapter 19 AppendicesChapter 20 Appendix A: Standard Answer SheetChapter 21 Appendix B: Proctoring Standardized ExaminationsChapter 22 Appendix F: Auditorium MuralsChapter 23 Acknowledgments

In Remembering What’s Important: Priorities of School Leadership, author Charles A. Bonnici wastes not time. He hits hard the 'eight key areas' as principals and other leaders pursue a career: living and progressing from being neophytes to experienced school administrators. He reveals leadership 'survival strategies' for hiring and nurturing new teachers; building the school culture; managing the school; and working in the larger social environment with parents, community leaders, and the media. Finally, Charles Bonnici looks at 'passing the baton' to the next generation—making the book important for succeeding as principals move from beginners to educational veterans—in the exciting, challenging, rewarding world of school leadership and improvement!