AP Insight - October 2009
Vol. 2, Issue 2
Nurturing a Positive School Climate
Our August issue of AP Insight looked at one of the instructional leadership responsibilities of many assistant principals: observing teachers and giving feedback to improve teaching and learning. As November approaches and the season is changing, we look at another critical role that all assistant principals fill—shapers and builders of school climate.
Typically, assistant principals share leadership in administrative teams, collaborating with others to translate the school's vision and mission from words into actions and daily practice. Their interactions must foster a school climate that is conducive to and based on the importance of learning and growth. As proactive forces in promoting positive school climate, assistant principals interact with students and teachers to nurture positive relationships; recognize achievements; and equitably provide mediation, intervention, and discipline.
In support of the theme for this edition, the NASSP Store is offering AP Insight readers a 20% discount on What Successful Schools Do to Involve Families: 55 Partnership Strategies by Neal A. Glasgow and Paula Jameson Whitney. Use promotional code AP1009. (Visit the store.)
By Patricia Buschjost, assistant principal, Walt Clark Middle School, Loveland, CO
In Colorado, we look at things in a positive light—even forest fires. Here's what the experts say about forest fires: "When the forest burns this causes the trees' seed pods to crack open, enabling the new seeds inside the pods to fall to the ground, become nourished, and create new life and forest rebirth." Doesn't that sound kind of like your experiences as the new administrator in a school? I have been an administrator in four buildings, and each time, I have taken the staff through a special ceremony that's akin, in some ways, to that forest fire. (Continue reading)
By Darlene Jones, principal, Francis Howell North High School, St. Charles, MO
In 2003, our high school—Francis Howell North—embraced the professional learning communities philosophy and made great progress toward building a culture of collaboration and tearing down the walls of isolation that are so prevalent in public high schools. Despite all the benefits of our school's actions, we continued to experience a disconnect with regard to student behavior four years into the collaborative philosophy. (Continue reading)
News and Notes
Teacher Observation and Feedback Workshop
As assistant principals, we are called upon to be instructional leaders, to observe classes, and to work with teachers to build their capacity to plan for, deliver, and assess student learning. To help school leaders improve their observational skills, NASSP, in collaboration with Cambridge Education, is offering "Effective Classroom Observation: Essentials for School Leaders," a two-day seminar designed to build your knowledge and skills in conducting classroom observations and using the data you collect during observations to improve student learning. (Continue reading)
NASSP Offers Professional Development Courses Online
To make access to quality professional development even easier, NASSP will soon be adding online courses to its catalog of professional development offerings. The seven-week interactive courses will be offered on a staggered basis throughout the year and NASSP members will recieve a special discount on registration.
Some of the course options will include: Leading Schools in a Web 2.0 World; Leading Data-Based School Reform; Planning for Curriculum Integration of Technology; and Developing and Growing Personal Learning Networks for School Leaders. Stay tuned for more information.
November NewsLeader
When you receive your November edition of NewsLeader, turn to the inside front cover and read the message from our executive director, Gerald N. Tirozzi, entitled, "Protecting a Major Resource: The Assistant Principal." The article discusses the critical role of assistant principals in U.S. schools today.
Coming November 16! New Publication for Assistant Principals
Compiled by the NASSP Assistant Principal Task Force representing middle level and high schools from around the country, The Best of Principal Leadership for Assistant Principals contains a collection of pertinent articles from the award-winning Principal Leadership magazine. The AP Task Force handpicked these articles with an eye on topics that relate to supporting assistant principals in their current role as well as promoting their well-rounded development for the principalship. The articles are categorized into the three core areas of Breaking Ranks.
Pre-Sale! Order online before November 16 and save 30%! Use discount code APPS1009. Visit the NASSP Store to order.
AP Strand at the 2010 NASSP Convention
Phoenix, AZ, March 12–14, 2010
Join colleagues from schools around the country to share best practices and learn from fellow practitioners and experts. This year, 16 offerings make up the AP Strand at the annual Convention. While the selection process is not complete, the quantity and quality of the proposals promise a rich offering for assistant principals.
Research and Resources
AP Discussion List Hot Topic: Positive Culture
Michael Kneller, assistant principal at Park Middle School, Scotch Plains, NJ, posted the following question last month:
As an assistant principal of a middle school, I work very closely with the principal and counselors to try to develop a culture where students who are victims of bullying are not afraid to go to an adult if they cannot handle a situation. We are also trying to reach out to students who are "bystanders" to bullying situations and encourage them to report what they see to adults as well.
My question is, what do other schools do to try to encourage students to speak out about bullying? Also, do you have any positive reinforcements in place for students who do come forward and identify instances of bullying?
Read the responses.
From the Bookshelf
What Successful Schools Do to Involve Families: 55 Partnership Strategies
Review by Ross Dirks, associate principal in the Lincoln (NE) Public Schools
Involving families in the life and times of a school is critical to student success. This book, written by Neil A. Glasgow and Paul Jameson Whitney, is about connecting families and communities to school with practical ideas that not only increase the communication between home and school, but also use the home as part of the student's entire learning experience. (Continue reading)
Don't forget! Use promotional code AP1009 when you order for a 20% discount. Hurry—the offer expires December 1, 2009.