Facing the Challenges: How Principals Can Survive and Thrive in Today's Schools, Paperback

Leading a public school today, regardless of its size, configuration, or location is an undertaking of immense responsibilities while confronting many challenges along with the rewards associated with watching children grow and learn. The leadership role rests with the school's principal. Rarely do they receive much on going professional development or recognition and praise even though their students find learning to be pleasurable and exciting in safe and secure classrooms. The book is intended to serve them as a reliable field manual. It provides them with a clear exposition on how to incorporate and exercise morale and servant leadership to their school community. The recommendations and suggestions provided throughout the book are based on years of experience observing the mix of social, emotional, and intellectual activities immersed in all formal schooling. What is proposed is supported by contemporary leadership and learning theories contributed by the social sciences. Thus, the purpose of this book is to enable principals to navigate safely through the many challenges accompanying today's educational reforms. It will require principals to exercise courage and tenacity, along with a high degree of collaboration with all those with a stake in the public service they pledge to provide.

John T. Fitzsimons, with fifty years of experience as a pubic educator has served as a teacher, principal, and school superintendent, in Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York. He holds a Ph.D. in Language and Literacy from Fordham University and has recently served on the New York City's District 3 Community Board of Education as an appointee of the Manhattan Borough President.