Supportive Supervision in Schools

Does fear or trust dominate relationships in your school's classrooms? How well do supervisors listen to and respond to teachers? How well do teachers listen to and respond to students? How are problems identified and solved? Supportive Supervision in Schools is a guide for teachers and administrators who want to create good school climates and a school culture that encourages professional growth and development among staff members. It uses a conferencing method to allow teachers, administrators, and students to discuss and reflect upon what they are doing inside the school building.

Old ideas about leadership models have not been supported by empirical research and have not influenced the way school leaders and teachers do their work. This book points to specific skill areas that need attention. It specifies that the creation of supportive environments occurs in weekly individual and group conferences. The authors stress the importance of listening and speaking so that messages are not distorted or misunderstood and emphasize trust-building. Using actual examples, this work shows how to construct supportive environments and how to identify and resolve problems.

RAYMOND C. GARUBO is Professor of Public Adminstration at the University of La Verne, California.

STANLEY WILLIAM ROTHSTEIN is Professor of Administration and Social Foundations at California State University, Fullerton.