Bringing Out the Best in Teachers
What Effective Principals Do

Third Edition

Joseph Blase - University of Georgia, USA
Peggy C. Kirby - University of New Orleans, Lakefront-New Orleans

Other Titles in:
School Management | Staff Supervision/Evaluation/Retention

September 2008 | 176 pages | Corwin

Practical advice from the teacher's perspective! Learn what effective principals do to influence, motivate, and empower teachers. Based on an in-depth study in which teachers detail the strategies extraordinary principals used to help them become more effective in the classroom, this third edition incorporates the most up-to-date literature and includes easy-to-follow guidelines in each chapter.

An ideal resource for experienced or aspiring school principals, this book offers strategies and related practices that illustrate how to:

- Use the power of praise

- Influence by expecting and involving - Encourage professional autonomy

- Lead by standing behind

- Suggest rather than direct

- Use formal authority positively

Foreword to the First Edition by Arthur Blumberg

Foreword to the Second Edition by Roland S. Barth

Foreword to the Third Edition by Jackie Daniilides

Preface to the Third Edition

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

1. Principals and Their Effectiveness

2. The Power of Praise

3. Influencing by Expecting

4. Influencing by Involving

5. Granting Professional Autonomy

6. Leading by Standing Behind

7. Gentle Nudges: Suggesting Versus Directing

8. Positive Use of Formal Authority

9. Mirrors to the Possible

10. Conclusions, Caveats, and Challenges

Resource A: Research Methods and Procedures

References

Index

"Reading this book is like having a conversation with several great colleagues sharing their ideas and expertise. The ideas and suggestions are clear, relevant, and doable. This book is inspiring!"

Pam Newell Bradley, Principal

Irving Elementary School, Muskogee, OK

"Blase and Kirby’s book serves as a constant reminder of the importance of improving and sustaining staff relations."

Lyndon Oswald, Principal

Sandcreek Middle School, Idaho Falls, ID

"Allows principals to make teachers feel appreciated and valued. The book includes everything you need to know about being a transformational leader in your school."

David Raleigh, Assistant Principal

Frankfort High School, KY

Using the text as supplemental course reading material.

Dr Bethney Bergh

School Of Education, Northern Michigan University

February 10, 2012

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Key features

Easy-to-follow guidelines are included in each chapter. Strategies and related practices illustrate how to:

Use the power of praise
Influence by expecting and involving
Encourage professional autonomy
Lead by standing behind
Suggest rather than direct
Use formal authority positively

This new edition includes relevant research and literature about effective school leadership, including new figures comparing our findings with others on transformational leadership and new leadership standards.