Being a school principal is tough. And there's a lot that nobody told you before you took the job. The Principal's Toolbox picks up where most leadership training leaves off, exploring the reality of life as the head of a school. Covering 275 topics from the obvious to the obscure, The Principal's Toolbox gives aspiring, new, and seasoned leaders an opportunity to reflect on the complexities of the principalship. Entries address issues principals WILL encounter, such as "How do I begin to craft a master schedule?", "What if a teacher is so good I can't come up with quality feedback?", "How do I stay out of trouble with the fire marshal?", "How should I handle it when a teacher's kid misbehaves?", and " A pipe burst - where do I turn off the water?"Written by an experienced and currently practicing elementary school principal, The Principal's Toolbox doesn't exist to tell readers WHAT to think; it exists to challenge readers TO think. By honestly (and often humorously) presenting a variety of scenarios common to the principalship, the author gives readers the freedom to accept his viewpoint or form their own. With their engagement in each entry, leaders will sharpen their mind and increase their skill.The Principal's Toolbox consists of 9 sections (with example topics from each): -FACULTY (Relationship with faculty, candor, tough conversations, caring for people, human nature)-CULTURE (Gathering feedback, giving credit, parent support organizations, influential stakeholders, honoring traditions)-INSTRUCTION (Understanding data, state testing, lesson plans, grading, coaching vs. evaluating, quality questions)-PARENTS (Perceptions, sharing bad news, handling requests for a teacher, admitting when you're wrong, confidentiality)-KIDS (Communicating with, party invitations, tardiness, nurse visits, the purpose of discipline, dress code, child abuse, bullying)-LOGISTICS (Class sorting, school pictures, reassigning teachers, interview questions, school floor plan, professional learning)-SELF-MANAGEMENT (Discretion, emotions during difficult situations, personal biases, giving recommendations, precedent)-MONEY (Teacher wishlists, employee benefits, discretionary funds, tax-exempt status, restricted vs. unrestricted accounts)-THIS AND THAT (Student residency, physical plant maintenance, the laminator, ADA compliance, drills, employee injuries)With its straightforward tone and extensive content, The Principal's Toolbox is equally suited to a graduate school book study as the shelf of a veteran principal needing a quick reference. No more need we say, "Well they didn't teach us THAT in principal school!"

Math teachers will find the classroom-tested lessons and strategies in this book to be accessible and easily implemented in the classroom The Teacher’s Toolbox series is an innovative, research-based resource providing teachers with instructional strategies for students of all levels and abilities. Each book in the collection focuses on a specific content area. Clear, concise guidance enables teachers to quickly integrate low-prep, high-value lessons and strategies in their middle school and high school classrooms. Every strategy follows a practical, how-to format established by the series editors. The Math Teacher's Toolbox contains hundreds of student-friendly classroom lessons and teaching strategies. Clear and concise chapters, fully aligned to Common Core math standards, cover the underlying research, required technology, practical classroom use, and modification of each high-value lesson and strategy. This book employs a hands-on approach to help educators quickly learn and apply proven methods and techniques in their mathematics courses. Topics range from the planning of units, lessons, tests, and homework to conducting formative assessments, differentiating instruction, motivating students, dealing with “math anxiety,” and culturally responsive teaching. Easy-to-read content shows how and why math should be taught as a language and how to make connections across mathematical units. Designed to reduce instructor preparation time and increase student engagement and comprehension, this book: Explains the usefulness, application, and potential drawbacks of each instructional strategy Provides fresh activities for all classrooms Helps math teachers work with ELLs, advanced students, and students with learning differences Offers real-world guidance for working with parents, guardians, and co-teachers The Math Teacher's Toolbox: Hundreds of Practical ideas to Support Your Students is an invaluable source of real-world lessons, strategies, and techniques for general education teachers and math specialists, as well as resource specialists/special education teachers, elementary and secondary educators, and teacher educators.

The eternal, unvoiced plea of every school principal is "HELP!" But who helps the building leaders with everyday answers, encouragement, practical tips, how-to lists, and almost any resource needed so they can continue to lead with joy and passion-and change their students' world? Help for principals has arrived! It's Jim Burgett's The School Principal's Toolbook: Building the How-to Path to Excellence. This book provides a practical and fun set of tools to understand, confront, and resolve almost every dilemma afoot or ahead! It's written for the rookie, veteran, or for those just needing a shot in the arm of potent leadership rejuvenation! And, like all of Jim's books, it's based on good, solid, practical information. The School Principal's Toolbook isn't confined to principals either. Burgett's words offer help to everyone involved in school building leadership like assistant or associate principals, deans, special ed directors, head teachers, and building leaders. Want to see the Table of Contents? 1. Rights and Responsibilities 2. Setting Priorities 3. The School Family 4. Building the Best Staff Possible 5. Leading the Leaders 6. Change, Vision, and Motion 7. Communications 8. Zoom Learning: Understanding and Embracing How Kids Learn 9. Team Leadership 10. Expert Advice 11. The Importance of You! 12. Tools and Thoughts for the Principal And what about testimonials? "There may not be enough superlatives in the English language to describe Jim Burgett's The School Principal's Toolbook. This book does not belong on every administrator's bookshelf; it belongs open on his or her desk. Every chapter is filled with informative, inspiring and entertaining advice and wisdom delivered in Jim's conversational, engaging style. While Toolbook has no footnotes, it is well-researched and evidence based as Jim incorporates all that he has learned - and is still learning - from his 40+ years in education as well anecdotes, case studies and ample examples of successes and failures from colleagues willing to share their experiences. Above all, Jim is a coach. Whether a first year assistant principal or a grizzled veteran superintendent, you will be a better leader after reading this book; you will be well-equipped to make an enduring difference in your school, district, community and beyond. Dr. Glen "Max" McGee, Superintendent of Palo Alto (CA) School District and past Illinois State Superintendent of Schools ------------ "Practical is often neglected when discussing the 'how to's' of being a school principal. This is a phenomenal resource that every new principal or school leader should have at their disposal. If I only had this 'Toolbook' when I became a principal many problems could have been avoided." L. Earl Franks, CAE, Executive Director of the Alabama Association of Secondary School Principals ------------ "The School Principal's Toolbook by Jim Burgett is a refreshing combination of tried and true expertise and forward thinking for principals in today's complex and rapidly changing school environments. I found myself wishing this valuable resource had been available to me when I began as a middle school principal: forging connections with the school family, setting priorities and learning strategies for dealing with difficult conversations and situations would have been easier with this seasoned and straightforward guide. Reading Jim's book felt like having a candid conversation with a trusted mentor." Karen Bronson, Director of Professional Development for the School Administrators Association of New York State (SAANYS)

The Teacher Toolbox for a Calm and Connected Classroom is a whole-child, whole-hearted approach to teaching, wellness, and student--teacher relationships. Chock-full of practical advice and brain-based tools from an experienced teacher and counselor, this book solves the question of how psychology and education can enrich and empower both teachers and students' wellness. Peppered with relatable anecdotes from the authors' experiences, the book deals with how to help unpack the' "invisible backpack" that both teachers and students bring into the classroom. Chapters are broken down to show how to practically address common issues such challenging behavior, social-emotional learning, trauma-informed education, attachment theory, mindfulness, mental health and much more. Each chapter outlines these common challenges but also provides an abundance of practical tools that can be used to help. Written accessibly, and with tools which are easy to implement, The Teacher Toolbox for a Calm and Connected Classroom is an indispensable guide for any teacher.

Practical strategies to support your English language learners The ELL Teacher’s Toolbox is a practical, valuable resource to be used by teachers of English Language Learners, in teacher education credential programs, and by staff development professionals and coaches. It provides hundreds of innovative and research-based instructional strategies you can use to support all levels of English Language Learners. Written by proven authors in the field, the book is divided into two main sections: Reading/Writing and Speaking/Listening. Each of those sections includes “Top Ten” favorites and between 40 and 70 strategies that can be used as part of multiple lessons and across content areas. Contains 60% new strategies Features ready-to-use lesson plans Includes reproducible handouts Offers technology integration ideas The percentage of public school students in the U.S. who are English language learners grows each year—and with this book, you’ll get a ton of fresh, innovative strategies to add to your teaching arsenal.

"I applaud Gupton's focus on the learner. This is the most important tenet for a school administrator's decision making. Each chapter describes a portion of school leadership that the successful principal needs to master."-Sharon Madsen Redfern, PrincipalHighland Park Elementary School, Lewistown, MTUse these powerful leadership tools to build teamwork and improve instruction!Every school leader needs a toolbox of strategies for improving teaching and learning schoolwide. In this second edition of The Instructional Leadership Toolbox, Sandra Lee Gupton examines the role of principals in leading instruction and provides practical ways for leaders to reflect on and improve their practice. Emphasizing a democratic approach that involves stakeholders in instructional leadership, this resource offers a compendium of helpful skills and strategies drawn from current research and theory in school administration. The book provides:Updated standards from NAESP and ISLLCNew research that shows how a principal's actions can affect student achievementQuestions for reflective practiceQuotes and examples of instructional leadership strategies by practicing principals and veteran educatorsAdditional resources such as Web sites, workbooks, books, and articlesThis valuable guide provides a blueprint that demonstrates how school leaders can focus on student learning, while using specific tools to empower others and build teams for a common goal: increased student achievement.

The world of special education can sometimes feel like a confusing place to novice teachers and families; however, The Special Education Toolbox: Supporting Exceptional Teachers, Students and Families is a primer that everyone can use to become an expert in their own right. Beginning with a brief walk through special education history and including the basics of assessment and IEP writing, this book considers student success from a variety of perspectives to include the role of the paraprofessional, the home-school connection, and transition planning to name just a few. The Special Education Toolbox will easily be one of the most used books on the shelf in any office, classroom, or home.