School Administrator: December 2019

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Leading With Grit and Grace Through Turbulence
BY LARRY L. NYLAND
A 27-year veteran of the superintendency details the actions that sustained him through work stoppages, budget crises and whatever might be the pressing issue of the moment.

The Angst in Affluent Communities
BY MICHELLE R. DAVIS
Leading a well-resourced school system carries its own distinct set of stressors and demands for superintendents — and unrealistic expectations among others.

• When parents have all the answers
• Barry Groves: Dealing with lofty expectations
  

The Fourth Envelope
BY GLENN W. "MAX" MCGEE
A contemporary extension to the familiar joke intended for the superintendent who is leaving a job when it’s not by choice.

Why Teachers ‘Hate’ Administrators (and What You Can Do About It)
BY SUSAN STOYA
Years after her career move out of teaching prompted colleagues to claim she’d moved to “the dark side,” the author, a 20-year administrator, spells out three reasons for teachers’ feelings.

• Michael Breen: A teacher perspective on sour relations

A Conversation With Jim Collins
A veteran superintendent engages the best-selling author on applying in schools some aspects of his newest work, Turning the Flywheel, a companion to Good to Great.

• Debra Gustafson: Using a simple flywheel for major gains

STARTING POINT
The editor’s pride in sharing with readers the brilliance of best-selling author Jim Collins.

STATE OF THE SUPERINTENDENCY
Progeny in the Superintendency
Do superintendents support the notion of their own children serving one day as superintendents?

BEST OF THE BLOGS
Our monthly selection of excerpts from four of the more thoughtful superintendent-written blogs.

ETHICAL EDUCATOR
Weed Control
Appreciative parents of a special-needs child give an administrator a small amount of marijuana as a gift in a state where its use is legal. Would she be wrong to accept this token of thanks?

SOCIAL MEDIA
My Story Captured in Photos
BY MICHELE TAYLOR
A superintendent in Georgia outlines her use of Instagram to build relationships across the community.

BOARD-SAVVY SUPERINTENDENT
Connecting Productively With the Board Chair
BY PEG PORTSCHELLER
Sustaining a strong working relationship that directly impacts not just the school board but the entire school system.

LEGAL BRIEF
Selecting and Managing Outside Legal Counsel
BY JOSEPH G. JARRET
Expect the worst when school board politicking overtakes the district’s lawyer-hiring process.

MY VIEW
Is It Time To Ban Cellphones in School?
BY CHRIS KENNEDY
Reacting to a generation of parents who lack presence when participating in functions at school, the author proposes a gizmo-free zone.

FOCUS: HUMAN RESOURCES
A Primer on Personnel Files
BY PETER C. GILLIES AND JACQUELINE LUCIA
Advice for school leaders on school personnel filing protocols.

Reading & Resources

• Book Reviews
• Abstract
• Bits & Pieces

 

  

PRESIDENT’S CORNER
Self-Care as Leadership Sustenance
BY DEBORAH L. KERR
Working well means being mentally and physically engaged.

EXECUTIVE PERSPECTIVE
Extending Superintendents’ Tenures
BY DANIEL A. DOMENECH
Amid disturbing turnover, AASA’s Leadership Network serves up a menu of skill-building programs to thrive on the job.

INSIDE AASA
Chris Rogers on Policy Analysis
BY JOETTA SACK-MIN
The newest staffer who supports the association's advocacy and legislative work.

PEOPLE WATCH
A monthly update on the career transitions of AASA members.

PROFILE: Courtney Orzel
BY DEANNA ATKINS
A beneficiary of mentoring, she now gives back to others.