What Every Superintendent and Principal Needs to Know

From three brave voices in the trenches come more easy-to-apply, straightforward school leadership ideas and practices than from any other book in print. No-nonsense, often funny advice about what works, what never did, and what you can do to put your school(s) and yourself atop the excellence pile, modestly or raucously crowing. Three of Illinois’ top educational leaders offer 336 pages of advice that includes leadership, ethics, communications, trust, teachers, assessment—even personal hygiene, getting those irksome refer-enda passed, and what to say to the press, and when. It’s a must for every school administrator. Why buy or read this book? The authors are three guys who rose to the top in school administration because, under fire, they could provide practical, successful solutions to almost any predicament. Even more, they could innovate, cut through the jargon and nonsense, and lead. On these pages, they share what they have learned: ideas, high-impact lessons about leadership, and everyday prob-lem solving that can be immediately implemented at every school level. Their combined wisdom and stories will make administrators think, laugh, and act. TABLE of CONTENTS School Leadership Civic Leadership and Ethics Business Basics for School Leaders Communications Building and Sustaining Trust Planning Expert Knowledge Building Internal Capacity Visionary Leadership Successful Teaching and Learning Adventures in Innovation Taking Care of YOU! Standards, Assessment, and Accountability Case Studies in Real-World Leadership

Max McGee: Former Illinois State Superintendent of Education, Max currently serves as Superintendent of Wilmette School District #39. Max is an education “lifer” with 30 years of experience and a Ph.D. from the U. of Chicago.Jim Rosborg: Program Coordinator for External Graduate Programs and professor at McKendree College in Lebanon, Illinois, Jim recently retired at Superintendent of Belleville Public School District #118 in Belleville, IL. Jim received his doctorate from Southern Illinois U. at Edwardsville. He was named Superintendent of the Year in 2004 and currently serves on the Illinois State Board Task Force.Jim Burgett: Jim has served in almost every educational capacity during his 38-year tenure. Named Illinois Superintendent of the Year in 2001 and Administrator of the Year in 2002, Jim retired from the Blue Ribbon Highland Community Unit School District in 2004. Burgett is a nationally recognized educational speaker and consultant.

Max McGee: Just electyed President of the Illinois Science and Mathematics Academy, Max was formerly the Illinois State Superintendent of Education before becoming the Superintendent of Wilmette School District #39. Max is an education “lifer” with 30 years of experience and a Ph.D. from the U. of Chicago.Jim Rosborg: Program Coordinator for External Graduate Programs and professor at McKendree College in Lebanon, Illinois, Jim recently retired at Superintendent of Belleville Public School District #118 in Belleville, IL. Jim received his doctorate from Southern Illinois U. at Edwardsville. He was named Superintendent of the Year in 2004 and currently serves on the Illinois State Board Task Force.Jim Burgett: Jim has served in almost every educational capacity during his 38-year tenure. Named Illinois Superintendent of the Year in 2001 and Administrator of the Year in 2002, Jim retired from the Blue Ribbon Highland Community Unit School District in 2004. Burgett is a nationally recognized educational speaker and consultant