"There is such authenticity when educators speak from true experiences. I found myself unwilling to put this book down. There are so many ways this book can be used by educators, but probably none more important than by the individual principal seeking support, affirmation, and inspiration."
—Stephanie Hirsh, Executive Director
National Staff Development Council

"Williams and Richardson bring to life the abstractions and aspirations of the ISLLC standards through helpful explanations, vivid examples, and compelling stories. Their reflective questions and use of journal writing honor the uniqueness of each reader, and the authors offer practical suggestions for further learning and action."
—Dennis Sparks, President
Thinking Partners

The guidance and inspiration principals need to take on the challenges of leadership!

Offering a personal leadership coach in book format, this valuable resource provides scenarios for rich conversations to strengthen a leader's capacity for problem solving and for handling the day-to-day challenges of the elementary principalship.

Written in a very personal voice and based on the authors' experiences as principals, this engaging book is perfect for elementary school leaders to use on their own or as part of formal professional development. Each chapter focuses on a particular ISLLC standard and features real-life scenarios, mini coaching sessions, journaling sections, and professional development opportunities. The authors guide principals to:

• Reflect on the lessons learned from the stories and challenges faced by actual principals
• Deepen their understanding about their own practices through powerful coaching questions
• Write about and reflect on their own thoughts, stories, and practices
• Engage in proven professional development activities with their staff

With this book as a portable coach, elementary principals can develop their practice, grow in their positions, and become the remarkable leaders their schools need!

• Lessons learned: This is not a how to book. Instead, the book is organized around stories about something that happened in the day of a principal. The authors then reflect upon the lessons they learned from the episode and they invite the reader to do the same.
• Mini-coaching session: The reader will be asked to reflect upon their own stories and will be guided by powerful coaching questions designed to deepen the understanding of their practice.
• Journaling: Following the stories and lessons learned, there is a section for principals to reflect and write their own related stories. These pages are designed to serve as a diary and written record of memorable events.
• Professional Development Opportunities: At the end of each chapter there is a professional development process that provides a job embedded context for use with staff and or parents. This book honors the standards for effective professional development, as the activities described are job-embedded and based on the context of the setting. (NSDC, 2000).
• Aligned with ISLLC standards: Each chapter focuses on a particular ISLLC Standard.