School Administrator: October 2020

A Conversation With Daniel Pink: Timing Is Everything
The first installment in School Administrator’s Thought Leadership Series features superintendent Jill Siler interviewing bestselling author Daniel Pink about When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing.

• Other books of note by Daniel Pink

Governing in the Wake of Upheaval: Lasting Lessons From Katrina
BY EBONY N. BRIDWELL-MITCHELL
Applicable lessons for managing schools during the current pandemic can be drawn from the disaster accompanying the devastating 2005 hurricane.

• From Carolina hurricanes: what to expect of returning students
• Leveraging good governance at cabinet meetings

Students Need Us in Their Lives, Just Not in Their Faces
BY RICHARD L. SPRADLING
A superintendent discovered intangible benefits from his personal involvement in the co-curricular lives of his students.

The Essential Role of Relationships and Emotional Life
BY PETER SMAGORINSKY
The quality of the connections between teachers and students, well beyond whatever test data bear, contributes significantly to an educational environment that motivates and validates.

Setting Constructive Rebellion in Motion 
BY SUZETTE D. LOVELY
Amidst a pandemic and a social justice movement, school leaders have a valuable moment to prepare for a better state in the aftermath of tumult.

• Recognizing constructive acts of rebels

STARTING POINT
Our magazine’s launch of a Thought Leadership Series begins this month with book author Daniel Pink.
  
STATE OF THE SUPERINTENDENCY
Conversing About Race and Equity
Infographics on how prepared superintendents feel in leading public conversations.

BEST OF THE BLOGS
Four thought-provoking excerpts from members’ recent blog postings.
  
ETHICAL EDUCATOR
A Ticking Clock on Attire
Should a concerned administrator go to a 9th-grader’s counselor about a TikTok video of her dancing in revealing clothes?

SOCIAL MEDIA
Data Can Strengthen Your Connections
BY SHANNON M. PODZIMEK
Monitoring a district’s social media platforms for community engagement.

A Workforce With Gender-Fluid Staff
BY MICHELE V. JONES
Balancing personal rights of a nonbinary teacher alongside schoolwide order.

Should We or Shouldn’t We Serve?
BY PEG PORTSCHELLER
When is it fitting for a former superintendent to join the school board as a member?

I’m Not Accepting This ‘New Normal’
BY CYNTHIA M. STOCKER
A rural superintendent longs for renewing connections that have disappeared during the pandemic.

That Churning Sound? It’s Coming From Principals
BY JASON A. GRISSOM AND DAVID E. DEMATTHEWS
The disruptive effects of high turnover and thoughts on how to stem it.

MY VIEW
Shortchanged Proficiency in School Finance
BY JAMES PARLA
Financial know-how can be a major determinant on a superintendent’s tenure.

Reading & Resources

• Book Reviews
• Abstract
• Bits & Pieces

 

  

PRESIDENT’S CORNER
The Central Role in Transformation
BY KRISTI WILSON
Modeling continuous improvement for the central administration.

EXECUTIVE PERSPECTIVE
Challenges to Some Long-Running Traditions
BY DANIEL A. DOMENECH
Adaptations of teaching and learning in a remote environment.

SCHOOL SOLUTIONS 
Capturing Student Voice Remotely in Personal Statements
BY JOHN GATTA
ECRA’s president on collecting meaningful insights on student achievement.

PEOPLE WATCH
Our monthly compilation of AASA members’ appointments and retirements.

PROFILE: Bryan A. Johnson
BY PAUL RIEDE
Applying youthful energy in leading Chattanooga’s schools.