ERIC Number: EJ1112121
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2016-Sep
Pages: 2
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0013-1784
EISSN: N/A
Principal Connection/New School Year Resolutions
Hoerr, Thomas R.
Educational Leadership, v74 n1 p90-91 Sep 2016
In this article, Hoerr suggests that as a new school year begins, why not set some goals? Just as with the resolutions made every January 1, the new school year resolutions should focus on areas needing improvement. This article offers three key areas for review: (1) Communication. Hoerr notes, if administrators want faculty to work as colleagues, learning and growing together, they need to model this by sharing and listening. Every teacher should have a monthly one-to-one conversation with an administrator. That doesn't have to be the principal, it could be an assistant principal or department chair. These dialogues are investments that can prevent issues from becoming problems; (2) Focus on Students. Administrators need to plan to give a subset of students a bit more attention--the high-flyers or the kids in the middle. What if your resolution were to develop grit or empathy among students? Why not tie this to your communication resolution? Or (3) Take Care of Yourself. No matter your successes, there are always new and higher goals; no matter how much time you spend, more tasks clamor for your time. And a big part of your job is to tend to others' needs. So resolve to take care of yourself. If you really want to achieve your new school year resolutions, leave your comfort zone and share them with your staff (and maybe even with your students or their parents).
Descriptors: Principals, Teacher Administrator Relationship, Goal Orientation, Educational Improvement, Student Needs, Empathy, Resilience (Psychology), Communication (Thought Transfer), Daily Living Skills
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A