What Matters Most for School Leaders.What Matters Most for School Leaders by Robert D. Ramsey, Corwin Press, Thousand Oaks Thousand Oaks, residential city (1990 pop. 104,352), Ventura co., S Calif., in a farm area; inc. 1964. Avocados, citrus, vegetables, strawberries, and nursery products are grown. , Calif., 2005, 209 pp., $32.95 softcover What Matters Most for School Leaders, by Robert D. Ramsey, serves as a reminder of what is truly important for school leaders at all levels. The author is a lifelong educator who has worked as a teacher, counselor, supervisor, assistant principal, curriculum coordinator, personnel director, assistant superintendent Assistant Superintendent, or Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), was a rank used by police forces in the British Empire. It was usually the lowest rank that could be held by a European officer, most of whom joined the police at this rank. and acting superintendent. He is the author of four books Four Books Chinese Sishu Ancient Confucian texts used as the basis of study for civil service examinations (see Chinese examination system) in China (1313–1905). . This compact guide of 25 fundamental insights and baseline beliefs costs school systems nothing but time, effort and energy. He offers a common-sense approach to school leadership, providing practical tips and strategies. Two of the more enjoyable chapters were entitled "Your Mother Didn't Raise You to Be a Bureaucrat" and "Politicians and Armchair Quarterbacks Don't Get It--So You Have To." In these two chapters, Ramsey focuses on the administrators fighting through red tape, focusing on children and making their voices heard throughout the community on important educational topics. Some of the author's wise tips include these: Surround yourself with great people; you have all the time anyone else has, but how you use it is up to you; don't overcommit o·ver·com·mit v. o·ver·com·mit·ted, o·ver·com·mit·ting, o·ver·com·mits v.tr. 1. To bind or obligate (oneself, for example) beyond the capacity for realization. 2. , overpromise, overextend o·ver·ex·tend tr.v. o·ver·ex·tend·ed, o·ver·ex·tend·ing, o·ver·ex·tends 1. To expand or disperse beyond a safe or reasonable limit: overextended their defenses. 2. or overspend o·ver·spend v. o·ver·spent , o·ver·spend·ing, o·ver·spends v.intr. To spend more than is prudent or necessary. v.tr. 1. ; and have the courage to say no. The book is an easy read and serves as an inspiration to become a better school leader. It requires readers to reflect upon issues and steers them toward a basic philosophy of "doing what is right." Reviewed by Paul A. Shaw, superintendent, White County School System, Cleveland, Ga. |
|
||||||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion