AP Insight - December 2010
Volume 4, Issue 3
The Lead Learner Is the Learning Leader
Assistant principals are difference makers. When it comes to getting things done on a day-to-day basis in a middle or high school, assistant principals play a key leadership role.
Over my years as an assistant principal, I learned that there were numerous opportunities for me to take on the role of an instructional leader, but it was up to me to take advantage of those opportunities. Instead of whining about what I didn't like about my job, I had to start winning and create my own reality. Our teachers began to see me as a learning leader because I was willing to be a lead learner. (Continue reading)
This issue will focus on assistant principals as instructional and learning leaders emphasizing the importance of viewing everything you do as impacting student performance. The articles each address issues that assistance principals encounter on a daily basis such as attendance and grading. In addition, we get a teacher's perspective on what qualities make a great assistant principal. Finally, this month's book summary looks at the importance of being a part of the conversation with teachers, parents, and the community on student achievement.
The NASSP Store is offering AP Insight readers a 20% discount on the book, Breaking Ranks: A Field Guide to Leading Change. Use promotion code AP1210 to receive your discount (applies to online orders only). Click here for more information or to purchase the discounted book by December 20, 2010
As always, I welcome your input and feedback. If you are interested in writing an article or a book review for AP Insight, send me an e-mail.
Mel Riddile
NASSP Associate Director of High School Services
Leadership for Grading Practices in the Differentiated Classroom
The Best Attendance Policy Ever Created
Simply the Best Assistant Principal
From the Bookshelf
News and Notes
Research Corner
From Middle Level Leader, December 2009
By Rick Wormeli, author and education consultant
Asking teachers for their grade books so you can assess their implementation of standards-based grading practices can shoot defensive walls sky high. Declaring that homework cannot count in a final report-card grade may pull the safety pin on a faculty grenade. To complete the war analogy, open discussion of grading practices is often an emotional minefield. But it doesn't have to be this way. Grading need not be a battle. In fact, it can be the liberation of allies. (Continue reading)
Reprinted with permission from The Learning Nation
By Cale Birk, Principal, South Kamloops Secondary School
Have you ever heard of students getting suspended for non-attendance? I am ashamed to tell you that when I was a high school assistant principal, there were times when I did exactly this. And I will never forget the conversation that I had with a parent who said, "So you're telling me that your response to a kid missing school is to have the student miss some more school?" I didn't have a great answer to that one. And I still don't. (Continue reading)
By Stuart Singer, The Teacher Leader
Over the course of my 40-year teaching career, which included 26 years as a department chair and 10 as curriculum coordinator, I had the good fortune to work with a number of extremely talented assistant principals. Many moved on in their careers to become successful principals at either middle or high schools. A few rose to the superintendent level in other districts. I also interacted with many individuals who were lacking in either the skills or the experiences required to be productive. Though they made my vocational life more difficult at the time, the shortcomings of these individuals allowed me to better understand and appreciate the strengths of the effective APs. (Continue reading)
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A Community of Leaders: An Invitation
The assistant principal's role can be an isolated one...until now. Shatter your isolation by joining the School Leadership Network, an online community on edWeb.net for principals, assistant principals, and other school leaders. Engage in professional discussions on a wide variety of topics with your colleagues from across the country. Share thoughts and resources. Begin building your professional network today.
The School Leadership Network is open to all and the Assistant Principals Community is NASSP members-only (log in to activate link).
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