School administrators have a rewarding, but sometimes difficult job. Administrators are tasked with motivating teachers and ensuring that students are learning and being put in a good position to succeed in life. This can be challenging, especially when someone is faced with issues like budget cuts, parents that are not always as involved as they should be and the fact that students are sometimes lacking in motivation. Below are some of the best books for school administrators, including some recommendations from Education World’s survey of principals.
1.How To Reach And Teach Children with ADD / ADHD: Practical Techniques, Strategies, and Interventions, by Sandra Rief
Many students have either ADD, ADHD or exhibit the symptoms of these conditions, and teaching these children can be a challenge. Rief’s book helps readers understand how the mind of an individual with ADD works, and it includes case studies as well as teaching plans for students with these types of difficulties. In addition to helping understand how to keep children’s attention in the classroom, the book covers topics like dealing with behavior problems and getting parents involved. The book is written in an easy to understand manner, so it’s a great resource to pass on to parents.
2. Beginning the Principalship: A Practical Guide for New School Leaders, by John C. Daresh
Written by a professor of educational leadership with a doctorate in Educational Administration, many consider this book a must for new school administrators. It is designed to help people understand what will be expected of them in their role as an administrator as well as providing readers with the technical skills they’ll need to run a school. Although it is written with new administrators in mind, a number of principals have stated that it has information and advice that is beneficial to them, even after decades on the job.
3. Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard, by Chip and Dan Heath
School administrators are likely to want to make changes to the school, whether it is to help improve test scores or try a new method of teaching to see if it is effective. The problem is that most people don’t like change, and administrators have trouble making change stick. This book explains why people tend to prefer things stay the same, even if they’re not working. Using research from a variety of fields, including psychology and sociology, the authors explain what can be done to overcome these tenancies.
4. Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us, by Daniel H. Pink
A major part of a school administrator’s job is to motivate people; teachers, students and even parents often require motivation to do things that ensure that children learn and are prepared to be responsible adults. Pink’s book focuses on explaining what does and does not work when it comes to trying to get people to do things. Using real-world examples as well as case studies, readers will be able to see which methods of motivation are effective and which popular practices are actually hindrances to motivating people.
5. If You Don’t Feed the Teachers They Eat the Students!: Guide to Success for Administrators and Teachers, by Neila A. Connors
This book is an excellent resource for both administrators and teachers, and it was written by an individual who has been in both positions. Connors has a doctorate in Educational Leadership, and she focuses on the importance of building relationships with a teaching staff and how to do so. Additionally, the book talks about ways that an administrator can affirm teachers and provide recognition, something that can help boost morale when budgets are tight.
Related Resource: 15 Cheapest Online Programs in Educational Leadership and Administration
This selection of books can be beneficial to aspiring, new and established school administrators. Many of these books use real-world examples, and readers will be better equipped to improve test scores, student performance and relationships between parents, teachers and students.
