The missing link to an unsuccessful, stagnant school is a need for the ability to leverage influential leadership and teaching practices. In "Principles for Princi-Pals -- and Teachers," presented in two parts, the author offers insight into leveraging influential leadership and teaching practices. Part One offers a practical platform for principals and teachers who remain committed to reflecting on their beliefs and increasing their skills, strategies, and practices to establish and maintain highly effective school settings where ALL students continuously thrive at consistently elevated levels. To help educators meet the challenge, the author shares what he calls first principles intended to be a catalyst that will spark courageous conversations and ignite action among aspiring principals, current principals, master principals, aspiring teachers, first-year teachers, and master teachers. They are helpful for all educators who are up to the challenge of building more robust, inclusive school cultures. These first principles help shield educators from the influence of the ever-evolving ills of society and the world on the challenge schools face in educating students. At the end of each chapter in Part One, principals/school leaders and teachers, respectively, are provided a framework to reflect on the principles and apply their leadership and teaching perspective to their work settings. Part Two gives real-life applications of these first principles in the daily operation of schools and classrooms. Drawing on his experience, the author offers insight into practical strategies for increasing the skills and competencies necessary to ensure a thriving, working school environment. Rather than a competing product, this book is a companion tool to all books on educational leadership, focusing on improving leadership and teaching practices that influence student learning. The book keeps educators focused on the essential characteristics that defined their initial excitement and enthusiasm, their dedicated commitment to serving students at all costs, and their determination to succeed as influential educational leaders and teachers. It keeps them focused on their initial Vision of Service to ALL students.
