The Principal's Hot Seat: Observing Real-World Dilemmas, 2nd edition provides a window through which aspiring and practicing school leaders observe and evaluate some of the most challenging, authentic, and unpredictable interactions common to the principalship. With video footage from an unscripted role play in which teachers, parents, and stakeholders share a variety of issues and emotions with the principal, the Hot Seat challenges readers to unpack the ways principals attempt to address routine and unpredictable challenges in school leadership. From distraught, pushy, or irate parents to teachers refusing to collaborate, curriculum controversies and cultural responsivity, readers assume the "hot seat" and feel the challenge principals face in navigating conversations and issues in ethical, individual, standards-based ways. Each chapter begins with stage setting and scenario background information, along with relevant literature, research, and resources, followed by a transcript of the interaction, and questions promoting discussion, reflection, and constructive critique. Each scenario comes alive through several minutes of video footage of the unscripted interaction, allowing examination of body language, tone of voice, and non-verbal communication. The second edition adds new scenarios related to teacher collaboration, controversial curriculum, current social issues, updated literature and resources, and cases in which the principal must interact with more than one stakeholder at a time. New questions examine principals' performance related to equity, when to seek assistance from others, and more.

Seeking Balance: The Story of a Principal s Second Semester continues the story of fictional Principal Joe Gentry s first year on the job. Like its predecessor, Reality Calling: The Story of a Principal s First Semester, this book is crafted from authentic experiences shared by principals. This part of the story picks up in January as Joe anticipates his mid-year evaluation. As winter turns to spring, he reflects on lessons learned and seeks to build on successes and correct his mistakes. Throughout, Joe seeks guidance and support from his wife, mentors, and two friends, who are also new principals. As the months roll by, he navigates the complexities of school leadership and seeks balance between personal and professional life, leadership and management, and theory and the real-world. This extended, real-world case study provides an authentic, unvarnished account of a fully-human principal knee deep in what is appropriately called the toughest job in education. The book concludes with Joe anticipating an end of the year meeting with his two friends to reflect on their progress toward becoming the leaders they have envisioned."

Crafted from authentic experiences shared by principals, Reality Calling: The Story of a Principal s First Semester reveals fictional Principal Joe Gentry s first few months on the job. We see his efforts to establish relationships with students, staff and community, handle unexpected (and sometimes unimaginable) events, and pursue the often elusive concept of instructional leadership. Throughout the process, Joe seeks guidance and support from his wife, mentors and two friends, who are also new principals. As the months roll by, he strives to navigate the complex ups and downs of school leadership, find personal and professional balance, apply the standards that govern school leaders and learn from his mistakes. This extended, real-world case study provides readers an authentic, unvarnished account of a fully-human principal knee deep in what is appropriately called the toughest job in education. The book concludes with Joe and his two principal friends reflecting on lessons learned and setting goals for the second half of the school year -- revealed in this book's companion, Seeking Balance: The Story of a Principal's Second Semester.

The Principal's Hot Seat: Observing Real-World Dilemmas, 2nd edition provides a window through which aspiring and practicing school leaders observe and evaluate some of the most challenging, authentic, and unpredictable interactions common to the principalship. With video footage from an unscripted role play in which teachers, parents, and stakeholders share a variety of issues and emotions with the principal, the Hot Seat challenges readers to unpack the ways principals attempt to address routine and unpredictable challenges in school leadership. From distraught, pushy, or irate parents to teachers refusing to collaborate, curriculum controversies and cultural responsivity, readers assume the "hot seat" and feel the challenge principals face in navigating conversations and issues in ethical, individual, standards-based ways. Each chapter begins with stage setting and scenario background information, along with relevant literature, research, and resources, followed by a transcript of the interaction, and questions promoting discussion, reflection, and constructive critique. Each scenario comes alive through several minutes of video footage of the unscripted interaction, allowing examination of body language, tone of voice, and non-verbal communication. The second edition adds new scenarios related to teacher collaboration, controversial curriculum, current social issues, updated literature and resources, and cases in which the principal must interact with more than one stakeholder at a time. New questions examine principals' performance related to equity, when to seek assistance from others, and more.

Seeking Balance: The Story of a Principal s Second Semester continues the story of fictional Principal Joe Gentry s first year on the job. Like its predecessor, Reality Calling: The Story of a Principal s First Semester, this book is crafted from authentic experiences shared by principals. This part of the story picks up in January as Joe anticipates his mid-year evaluation. As winter turns to spring, he reflects on lessons learned and seeks to build on successes and correct his mistakes. Throughout, Joe seeks guidance and support from his wife, mentors, and two friends, who are also new principals. As the months roll by, he navigates the complexities of school leadership and seeks balance between personal and professional life, leadership and management, and theory and the real-world. This extended, real-world case study provides an authentic, unvarnished account of a fully-human principal knee deep in what is appropriately called the toughest job in education. The book concludes with Joe anticipating an end of the year meeting with his two friends to reflect on their progress toward becoming the leaders they have envisioned."

Crafted from authentic experiences shared by principals, Reality Calling: The Story of a Principal s First Semester reveals fictional Principal Joe Gentry s first few months on the job. We see his efforts to establish relationships with students, staff and community, handle unexpected (and sometimes unimaginable) events, and pursue the often elusive concept of instructional leadership. Throughout the process, Joe seeks guidance and support from his wife, mentors and two friends, who are also new principals. As the months roll by, he strives to navigate the complex ups and downs of school leadership, find personal and professional balance, apply the standards that govern school leaders and learn from his mistakes. This extended, real-world case study provides readers an authentic, unvarnished account of a fully-human principal knee deep in what is appropriately called the toughest job in education. The book concludes with Joe and his two principal friends reflecting on lessons learned and setting goals for the second half of the school year -- revealed in this book's companion, Seeking Balance: The Story of a Principal's Second Semester.