Grounded in recent research and successful practice, The New Principal's Fieldbook prepares new and aspiring principals for the unexpected twists and turns of school leadership. Capitalizing on their experiences and those of other educational leaders, authors Pam Robbins and Harvey Alvy offer practical information, research-based strategies, and provocative stories to help principals develop into visionary leaders skilled in promoting the success of students and teachers.

Vision as the compass -- Navigating in "hidden history" -- Lessons learned from previous explorers -- Developing professional learning communities for a productive journey -- Instructional, curricular, and assessment leadership : the helmsman in action -- Improving student learning through supervision and professional development -- Managing human and material resources to promote a thriving organization -- Emotions as a gateway to learning -- Understanding and working with change : new roads and detours -- Policies, full service counseling, and crisis interventions that support students -- The schoolhouse and central office working together -- Parents and the greater community : partnering for student success -- Working with the media -- Balancing professional and personal lives : keeping fit for the journey -- The crucial first steps on the road to success -- Final thought.