Principal May/June 2017: Next-Level Leadership

Great schools require well-prepared and supported principals. Principals cultivate positive school cultures that are built on trust, strengthen the principal pipeline by identifying teacher leaders and nurturing assistant principals, and through interdependent relationships with superintendents, contribute to strong, district leadership. This issue of Principal magazine focuses on high-leverage leadership topics such as work-life balance and relationship building, as well as less-covered leadership skills like getting published and managing up.
Click here to read the digital edition.

Worth the Investment: Trust Why learning to listen might be a principal’s most important leadership skill. Sarah E. Fiarman

No Time for ESSA? Students deserve equal access to digital resources—anywhere, anytime.
Synergy and Straight Talk Tools to build an honest, interdependent relationship that maximizes the capabilities of principals and superintendents. Brian Bullis, John Filippi, and Michael Lubelfeld
Building Leaders With careful investment, an assistant principal will become a valuable partner in the school leadership team. Sandra A. Trach

The Write Time If you’ve got ideas and experiences that can help others, writing a book is a great way to share what you know. You just have to get started. Cathie E. West
Entrepreneurial Leaders Redefine the Principalship In Philadelphia, a spirit of entrepreneurship is alive and well among principals—and it’s reaping big rewards for schools and students. Tim Matheney

Social Media or Social Life? Technology can work wonders in keeping principals in touch with stakeholders. But too much of a good thing can overwhelm even the most tech-savvy leader. Jody Capelluti and Anita Steward McCafferty

FEATURES
Systems Change for Literacy Gains Strong literacy programs can be the foundation for improved instructional practices and better student outcomes schoolwide. Gerry Brooks, Nayal Maktari, Karen Scott, and Jeffrey Williams
Providing “Generation Appropriate” Support What new principals need to know about working with baby boomers, Generation X, and millennials. John F. Eller and Sheila A. Eller

IN EVERY ISSUE
From the Editor Getting Things Done —Kaylen Tucker
Snapshots Nuggets of research, policy, and practice to keep you informed.

Member Spotlight New Jersey Principal Moonlights as Mayor
Parents & Schools Helping Children Deal With Failure —William F. Russell
The Reflective Principal Discovering Strength in Tough Times —Dana Boyd
Best Practices Flipping the Script With Staff —Penny A. Reedy and Maggie L. McHugh
It’s the Law Who is Really Accountable? —Perry A. Zirkel
Principal’s Bookshelf
Personalizing 21st Century Education: A Framework for Student Success By Dan Domenech, Morton Sherman, and John L. Brown —Reviewed by Cris Blackstone
When School Policies Backfire: How Well-Intended Measures Can Harm Our Most Vulnerable Students By Michael A. Gottfried and Gilberto Q. Conchas —Reviewed by Liz Garden

Speaking Out When to Lead, When to Learn —Tracy Reimer
Practitioner’s Corner Can Students Search for New Staff? —Chris Dodge
Postscript Gail Connelly: Reflections of a 21st Century Learner