Leading With Passion and Knowledge: The Principal as Action Researcher - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1412967058 ISBN 13: 9781412967051

Publisher: Corwin, 2009

Synopsis

Become the "head learner" in your school by engaging in action research!

Action research can serve as a critical element in the professional development of principals, administrators, and school leaders. Award-winning author Nancy Fichtman Dana guides leaders in identifying and exploring areas of interest for principal research, including staff development, curriculum development, individual teachers, community/culture building, leadership skills, building management, and school performance. With a step-by-step approach, this resource:

• Helps principals develop a question, collect and analyze data, and share the results of their inquiry 
• Includes numerous examples of actual principal inquiry
• Provides exercises to guide principals through their own inquiry projects

About this title

About the Author

Nancy Fichtman Dana is currently professor of education in the School of Teaching and Learning at the University of Florida, Gainesville. She began her career in education as an elementary school teacher in Hannibal Central Schools, New York. Since earning her PhD from Florida State University in 1991, she has been a passionate advocate for teacher inquiry and has worked extensively in supporting schools, districts and universities in implementing powerful programs of job-embedded professional development through inquiry across the United States and in several countries, including China, South Korea, Belgium, Portugal, The Netherlands, Slovenia, and Estonia. She has published ten books and over 100 articles in professional journals and edited books focused on her research exploring teacher and principal professional development and practitioner inquiry. Dana has received many honors, including the Association of Teacher Educator’s Distinguished Research in Teacher Education Award and the National Staff Development Council (now Learning Forward) Book of the Year Award, both honoring Dana and Yendol-Hoppey’s work related to practitioner inquiry.

Review

"The most important work of the school leader is to promote profound levels of learning in students and faculty, but only principals who know how to promote their own learning on the job can foster the learning of others. Here′s how!" Author: Roland S. Barth, Founding Director, Harvard Principals′ Center Published On: 2008-09-29

"For the principal or aspiring principal, this book will open your eyes on how to be a cut above. It encourages you to be open, to wonder, and to research effectively to maintain a trajectory of excellence in your school." Author: Nic Cooper, Faculty Member Published On: 2008-09-26

"Finally, a book for administrators that validates their role in the area of action research! All administrator preparation programs should use this book. The description of the principal afflicted with ′data analysis paralysis′ could be me. I was motivated to read on!" Author: Margarete Couture, Principal Published On: 2008-09-29

"After reading this book, I realized that engaging in administrator inquiry is not just ′another thing to do.′ It can become best practice, and not simply the flavor of the week." Author: Gary Highsmith, Principal Published On: 2008-09-29

"I am very impressed with this work. Years ago, Roland Barth said that leaders should be the ′head learners′ in their schools. Dana′s book confirms this basic belief and provides very useful strategies for practicing administrators to enhance professional learning. Thank you for honoring the practitioner!" Author: William A. Sommers, Past President Published On: 2008-10-09

Edition details

• Publisher: Corwin
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 1412967058
• ISBN 13: 9781412967051
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 240
• Editor: Fichtman Dana Nancy