School Administrator: September 2019
Executive Coaching and Mentoring

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Vignettes of Superintendent Mentoring
School Administrator asked three mentors of new and aspiring superintendents — Gail Pletnick, Amy Sichel and Stephen Joel — to share a personal narrative about their experiences on one side or the other of a coaching equation.

• Terry Grier: Obligation to the next CEOs
• Mentoring options in AASA’s Leadership Network

Coaching and Mentoring Superintendents of Color
BY MARIA G. OTT
Generating support behind the unique circumstance of being “the first” in a majority-white school community by a superintendent who experienced that.

• Michael Conner: Mentoring for a new superintendent of color
• Mykia Cadet: Powerful role of executive coaching

Untapped Potential
BY MATTHEW B. TAYLOR
A leadership consultant on the use of emotional intelligence in coaching school leaders.

• Anne Lackritz: Is coaching worth it?
• Differentiating teaching, consulting and coaching

Coaching as a Way of Being
BY JILL A. BAKER AND KELLY D. AN
In Long Beach, Calif., leadership development means distinct programs for aspiring central-office administrators as well as principals and teachers.

• Four observations about districtwide coaching

Lead by Example
BY DUANE (D.T.) MAGEE
A superintendent in Iowa creates a yearlong internship for a high school senior to experience the challenges of organizational leadership.

• Noah Percy: My year as the superintendent’s intern

 

STARTING POINT
A superintendent hosts a yearlong high school intern.

STATE OF THE SUPERINTENDENCY
Salary Caps
How widely are superintendents’ salaries limited by their state government?

BEST OF THE BLOGS
Samples of high-minded insights appearing of late on four superintendents’ blogs.

ETHICAL EDUCATOR
Reconsideration of a Hire
Our professional panel digests the board’s intent to undo a groundskeeper hiring after discovering his crime conviction as a minor.

BOARD-SAVVY SUPERINTENDENT
Petitioning the Board on Coaching’s Merits
BY ISOBEL STEVENSON
Position the request around developing a more nuanced view of the local schools.

LEGAL BRIEF
The Elusive Pursuit of a Defamation Claim
BY MICHELE V. JONES
The law requires public officials prove malicious intent, making it difficult to counter critical slurs and published falsehoods.

MY VIEW
The Danger of Pressuring Kids Early
BY RICH KARLGAARD
A case for letting students bloom outside the heavy hand of adults in their young lives.

MY VIEW
Silos and Sheep Mentality Threaten Democracy
BY GEORGE A. GOENS
Opening students’ eyes beyond a binary view of their world and a dangerous cycle of indifference.

FOCUS: MENTAL HEALTH
The Timeliness of Actions When a Staff Member Dies
BY NANCY L. WAGNER AND JOHN W. CORBETT
How two superintendents of neighboring school systems in suburban Chicago networked in dealing with unexpected deaths of two staff members over a weekend.

Reading & Resources

• Book Reviews
• Abstract
• Bits & Pieces

 

  

PRESIDENT’S CORNER
Leveling Up Leadership
BY DEBORAH L. KERR
The opportunity for personalized development through coaching.

EXECUTIVE PERSPECTIVE
AASA’s Mentors Making a Mark
BY DANIEL A. DOMENECH
A professional coach helped a newcomer (the author) launch a successful 27 years in the superintendency.

INSIDE AASA
Valerie Truesdale on Leadership Services
BY JOETTA SACK-MIN
A former superintendent brings her know-how and skill set to AASA’s professional development for incumbents and aspirants.

PEOPLE WATCH
A monthly recap of professional comings and goings in the AASA ranks.

PROFILE: Jeffrey K. Butts
BY JULI VALENTINE
An education in horse training before becoming an educator and award-winning superintendent.

READER REPLY

LEADERSHIP LITE