Principal Mentoring - A Safe, Simple, and Supportive Approach

Develop a sustainable principal mentoring program that produces effective school leaders, high retention rates, and supportive mentoring relationships-without a lot of extra costs, paperwork, or time!

List of contents

Foreword by John C. Daresh
Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Introduction
1. Advocating for the Beginning Principal
Why Mentoring in Our District?
The Anatomy of a Beginning Principal
Professional Organizations
Scenario: Sharing the Wealth
Key Points
Recommended Reading
2. The Beginning of a Mentor Program
APS District Demographics
The Birth of the Albuquerque Mentor Program
Budget Justification
Selecting a Coordinator
Key Points
Recommended Readings
3. A Work in Process
The First Stages of Development
Vision and Mission Statements
Program Guidelines
Job Descriptions
Program Process
A Total Support System for New Principals
Key Points
Recommended Readings
4. Program Implementation
Step 1. The Process Begins
Step 2. The Initial Coordinator-Mentee Meeting
Step 3. Conferring With the Mentor
Step 4. The Planning Session
Step 5. The Other 5 Percent
Key Points
Recommended Readings
5. Simple Program Enhancements Make a Difference
Congratulate
Celebrate
Communicate
Appreciate
The Morale Factor
Scenarios: Extra Support for Supporters
Key Points
Recommended Readings
6. Applying the Mentoring Concept to Small School Districts
Organize a Study Committee
Purpose of the Study Committee
Scenario: A Simple Form of Mentoring
Key Points
Recommended Reading
7. The Accountability Factor
End-of-the-Year Evaluations
Alternative Assessments
Program Evaluations
ESP Ten-Year Program Assessment (1995-2005)
Key Points
Recommended Readings
8. The Art of Mentoring the Beginning Principal
Concepts for Effective Mentoring
Establishing the Mentor Pool
Suggestions for Mentors Working With Mentees
Mentoring Versus Coaching
A Coaching Concept
Simplicity
Level-to-Level Mentoring
Communicate, Communicate, Communicate
Scenario: A Mentor¿s Wisdom
Key Points
Recommended Readings
9. Finding Time to Become an Instructional Leader
It¿s a Matter of Time
Time Management Suggestions
The Importance of Strong Instructional Leadership
Demographic Data for Instructional Implementation
The Evaluation Process
Scenario: Reciprocal Mentoring
Key Points
References and Recommended Readings
10. Caution, Pitfalls Ahead!
It¿s About Time
The Funding Dilemma
Plan, Plan, Plan
Do Not Take Stress and Burnout Lightly
Scenario: A Heavy Load
Superintendents and Upper-Level Administration
Scenario: Solve the Problem
Key Points
References and Recommended Readings
11. Reflections
References
Index

About the author

Carl J. Weingartner has been an educator for over 46 years. He taught 11 years at the junior high and elementary levels in Gallup-McKinley County School District, Gallup, NM, Midwest City/Del City School District, Midwest City, OK and Albuquerque Public Schools District, Albuquerque, NM. He served as a junior high and elementary principal for 22 years in the Albuquerque Public Schools. He considers himself a practitioner rather than a researcher.
In 1994, he was contracted by the Albuquerque Public Schools on a part-time basis to establish and coordinate the Extra Support for Principals mentor program for first-year principals. The program has involved and supported over 210 first-year principals. He has become active in promoting mentor programs across the nation by writing and contributing to several organizational Web sites. He has written or contributed to articles and books for the National Association of Elementary School Principals, the National School Boards Association, the George Lucas Educational Foundation, and to the works of independent authors. He has been asked to advise or consult with over 65 individuals or institutions across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
He has been active during his professional career in promoting education and the principalship. He served as president of several educational organizations including the National Association of Elementary School Principals/SCA-Zone VIII, the New Mexico Association of Elementary School Principals, and the Albuquerque Public Schools Principals Association. He held several offices and served on executive boards and principal committees at the national, zone, state, and district levels. Weingartner has been a member of National Association of Elementary School Principals throughout his career as a principal and has maintained his membership since his retirement in 1994.

He has received honors and recognitions, including the "National Distinguished Principal Award" from the US Department of Education in 1987. He has received "Outstanding School Administrator Awards" from the National Association of Elementary School Principals, the National Association of Elementary School Principals-Zone VIII, the New Mexico Association of Elementary School Principals and the New Mexico School Administrators Association. He earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from East Central State University at Ada, Oklahoma. His postgraduate work in school administration was completed at the University of New Mexico.

Summary

This resource presents a proven mentoring model for recruiting, supporting, and retaining effective principals.

Product details

• Authors: Carl J. Weingartner
• Publisher: Sage Publications Ltd
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 14.01.2009
• EAN: 9781412965965
• ISBN: 978-1-4129-6596-5
• No. of pages: 128
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Education > Education system; EDUCATION / Administration / General, EDUCATION / Professional Development, Education / Teaching, EDUCATION / Leadership