Assistant principals (APs) who successfully influence principals to behave in ways that support their goals increase their chances of achieving desired resources. This paper describes how assistant principals can build influence and strong working relationships with their principals. To begin, APs must understand themselves, their principals, the…

This paper summarizes research findings related to the performance behaviors of effective school principals. It identifies eight characteristics of effective schools: (1) schoolwide measurement and recognition of academic success; (2) high emphasis on curriculum articulation; (3) support for instructional tasks; (4) high expectations and clear…

This paper uses the seven principles of "stalking," the cultural wisdom for training Yaqui Indian warriors as described by Carlos Castenada, as a framework for organizing insights shared by successful women superintendents. "Stalking" is a metaphor for the process through which women seek success as superintendents. The research used a modified…

Stewardship is the willingness of the leader to serve for the well-being of the school, rather than through controlling stakeholders. Stewards are capable of turning their schools into learning organizations, in which all stakeholders share a feeling of ownership. This book is a sequel to "The Principal's Edge," which covered the first 9 of the 21…

This paper presents findings of a year-long case study that examined the use of gifted-and-talented teaching strategies, which are similar to those used to create powerful learning, in three accelerated elementary schools. The paper explores, from the principals' perspectives, school, teacher, and community factors that promoted and/or blocked…

This paper constructs opposing views of leadership between what can be understood as mainstream American perspectives and those of selected Native Americans. American leadership values were deduced by examining selected aspects of the National Association of Secondary School Principals Assessment Center; selected Native American leadership values…

This book provides adult educators with a blueprint for developing a profoundly different approach to leadership that is all-embracing of ideas and people, capitalizes on diversity, and remains open and responsive to change. Chapter 1 introduces this new approach that has its foundation in the arts, humanities, and sciences. Chapter 2 examines a…

This handbook presents findings of a study that examined the outcomes of the Chief Executive Officer Leadership Development Program, which was developed by the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL). The 1-year program was comprised of classroom sessions, coaching, journal writing, and learning projects. Data were derived from: (1) a pre-program…

This paper discusses barriers encountered by leaders when they attempt to implement change and redirect the collective focus in groups. It describes co-creative relationships that occur when leaders and followers work together in a reciprocally responsible relationship based on a common purpose. The process of covenanting toward a common purpose,…

This paper presents the issues relating to, the rationale, and the methodology for the implementation of a process-based organizational structure. Following an overview of leadership theory and traditional organizational structure, a model of the circular organization is presented. In the circular organization, the leader occupies a middle, rather…

When a popular high school principal was reassigned under difficult circumstances, the school's culture was torn apart. A narrative of how this happened and how the principal's successor was able to heal the rift is provided in this report. The paper provides details of the actions that led up to the board reassigning the principal and the outcry…

This paper presents findings of a study that described the work of four exemplary district-level administrators for curriculum and instruction (curriculum directors). Data on the four curriculum directors in a northwestern state were derived through structured and unstructured interviews, participant observation, and document analysis. The work of…

One definition of an educational leader is a professional and pragmatic person capable of setting a direction and goals for his or her school. Another definition of the educational leader is a social and moral agent. This second definition supports the idea that schools should be communities with shared moral and social values and highlights the…

This paper presents findings of a study that examined the change process involved when four elementary schools implemented the accelerated schools model. Specifically, the study focused on transitions in parental roles that occurred when the schools changed from a conventional mode of organization to a participatory mode. The case study data were…

Arguing that Canadian colleges and institutes will be increasingly invited to provide strong leadership in their communities at educational, cultural, economic, and social levels, this paper discusses the conditions that will promote the growth of leadership in Canada's colleges and institutes and identifies ways that managers, teachers, students,…