What Every Rookie Superintendent Should Know: Surviving Year One

by Robert Reeves

Overview

There is often a lack of preparation of new superintendents by universities and professional associations. Meanwhile, new school superintendents are so focused on getting the job that little time is spent on what it takes to be successful. What Every Rookie Superintendent Should Know lays the foundation with a systematic mind-set, strategic thinking approach, and skills sets, which not only help the rookie survive, but decreases the learning-curve time.

This book features a conversational approach between the rookie superintendent and the sage mentor and highlights real-life situations and survival strategies. The mentor provides time-tested building blocks upon which the rookie can build a strong 1st-year foundation. The mission is to improve learning for all students by pulling an organization out of chaos and creating a well-functioning school district.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781578863761
Publisher:	R&L Education
Publication date:	02/13/2006
Pages:	430
Product dimensions:	6.44(w) x 9.38(h) x 1.34(d)

About the Author

Dr. Robert Reeves, now retired after 48 years in public education, heads the Reeves Consulting Group. For nearly three decades, he served CEO/Superintendent of the Poway Unified School District in the San Diego area.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction: What Every Rookie Superintendent Should Know Chapter 2 The Beginning: The Rookie Is Hired Chapter 3 July: Gotta Know the Territory Chapter 4 August: Problems in Paradise Chapter 5 September: Leadership and You Chapter 6 October: Do You Know the Principal Players? Chapter 7 November: Making Stylish Decisions Chapter 8 December: Let's Get Personnel Chapter 9 January: Should You Win-Win? Chapter 10 February: What Business Are You Really In? Does It Matter? Chapter 11 March: Measuring the Mission Chapter 12 April: Do You Know How to Change? And Why Should You? Chapter 13 May: Is the Mission Possible? Chapter 14 June: Thank Goodness It's Nearly Over. Will I Survive? Chapter 15 Afterthoughts: Will Your Difference Make a Difference? Chapter 16 After, Afterthoughts for School Board Members: What is the Main Mission for the School Board?

Editorial Reviews

Written in a relaxed conversational style that makes it easy to follow.

School Administrator Magazine

Through a series of conversations between a fictional rookie superintendent and his mentor, Reeves outlines some of the issues and challenges these leaders typically face. The theme of working effectively with school boards is illustrated throughout.

Reference and Research Book News

Written in a relaxed conversational style that makes it easy to follow.

School Administrator

Rarely does someone who has "been there, and done that" as a leader in a field take the time to organize and share their accumulated wisdom in such a systemic fashion as Robert Reeves has done... each page is chock full of the tacit knowledge and tips that are the result of the school of hard knocks.

Stephen Haines

Dr. Reeves brings a refreshing story that should be mandatory reading for all superintendents, new and old. In a time where school superintendents turn over every couple of years, it's time to listen to someone that over twenty-five years built a small urban, suburban, and rural district into some of the truly great ones.

William Tudor

This is an important subject because educators historically have done a poor job with sharing the wisdom of the practitioners. This creative way of passing along lessons learned is needed.

Dr. Lawrence W. Lezotte

Excellent read for superintendents, administrators and more importantly for teacher leaders, hungry to learn more about and understand the interface between the organization and themselves.

Ronarae Adams

This book ... features a conversational approach between the rookie superintendent and the sage mentor. By highlighting real-life situations and survival strategies, the mentor provides time-tested building blocks upon which the rookie can build a strong first-year foundation.

District Administration

Reeves' passion for improved student outcomes drives all conversations of school issues toward a core value of what will be best for student learning. That passion for 'all students learning, whatever it takes' merges with his gift for strategic thinking and planning, making him a valuable resource for leaders. This book is excellent reading for the new as well as the seasoned school leader.

Dr. Stephen Halfaker