Elementary School Principals in Action

This book concerns itself with the daily dilemmas of the elementary school principal and understanding the practical application of school leadership while improving the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (2015) competency. In order to improve PSEL (2015) competency, each case study is aligned to multiple standards. The case studies in this book can be a powerful tool for learning school leadership. It gives readers the opportunity to gain experience making decisions in the face of uncertainty, much as they will have to do every day when they are in the field or when they are ready to work in their chosen field. The result of candid interviews with school officials in America's public schools, school improvement organizations, city and state departments of education, the case studies in this book explore complex issues in school leadership from school budget management to navigating parental concerns in the social media age. Each case study tells a detailed story which stops mid-action, asking the reader to imagine themselves into the shoes of a decision-maker facing a tough choice. As a result of these case studies classroom discussions are lively, and most important, there isn't a single right answer. Readers practice taking positions and defending them based on the available evidence, while developing communication and critical thinking skills. This book is a must read for any emerging school leader.