Leader

The Saudi Royal Family was well presented for younger children. Reed wrote this in a way that enables young kids to understand not only the Saudi Royal Family but the religion of Islam. She remains objective throughout but as an American questions whether or not the Sauds are our friends. She raises this question in a way that would allow kids to think it through and come to their own conlcusion. The photos are wonderful and I liked the color, layout and presentation of the book.

The author wrote this book in such a manner that a high school government student could understand the majority of the legal discussion and implications for school leaders.

Today's educator would be remiss not to read this down to earth text and not pay attention to its contents while working in today's educational environments where one is constantly exposed to being sued.

The author provides the reader with clear and understandable legal definitions, administrative summaries, landmark cases, and interesting legal situations that have occurred in public schools across the United States.

Classroom teachers, school principals, superintendents, school board members, and graduate students all come away with a sense of "I will not do that again" after reading this very practical school law guide.

While the book does not address school integration and school finance issues from a legal stance, it does an excellent job of addressing all other aspects of educational law.

In his preface, the author states, "Too many textbooks on educational leadership are dull, filled with viscous prose that beat the obvious about the head and shoulders, stuffed with overripe research and pseudo research, and far removed from the real world of principalships and superintendencies." This book appears to be an exception, and as the author states he "makes serious points with humor - or is humorous and also makes serious points.' There are eleven chapters including practical exercises: Leadership; Getting Started in Educational Leadership; Attitudes, Behaviors, Practices, Skills; Board Relationships; Law; the Media; Personnel; Leadership Attitudes; Collective Bargaining; Planning; and Reflections. Throughout the book, Dr. Cattanach interweaves his conviction that "public school leadership is a constant search for balances among conflicting ideas and forces to shape difficult leadership choices." He applies Aristotle's "Golden Mean " to educational leadership decisions, and the search for "golden means" comprises a recurring theme throughout. Chapters contain essays from a few paragraphs in length to a number of pages with titles such as: 'But Sir, I'm Only a Poor Little Match Girl; Dear God He Chewed off the Wrong Foot! The Parable of the Superintendent and the Duck; Ray Bolger and Other Straw Persons; So Do His Sisters, and His Cousins, and His Aunts.' There are also appendices on employee negotiations, administrative correspondence, discussions of chapter exercises, and a sample long range plan.In his introduction, the author provides the following observation (reviewer abbreviated): 'As an interim superintendent of schools after a two year hiatus from the superintendency, I again enjoyed the late nights and the early mornings; the exposed nerve ends; anxious parents; angry taxpayers; myriad staff concerns and worries; transportation issues; leaky roofs; eight hour budget (and attitude) adjustment sessions; special education hearings; meetings without any real risk of progress; and generally the sweat and gristle of the superintendent's calling - it was great! And I couldn't stop thinking of "Patton" and George C. Scott viewing the aftermath of a tank platoon's unexpected and brutal night encounter with German armor and infantry. Patton kneels and confers a warriors salute on the sole surviving American soldier and declares passionately, "I love it! God help me, I do love it so! Well, God help me as well, because I remain enamored of the "Sturm and Drang" of daily superintendent life and realize how much I've missed it.' This book will be of real interest to principals, superintendents, teachers, graduate and undergraduate professors, board members, and corporate leadership.

I read this book about two years ago, and since that time we have worked with the author and incorporated the author's ideas on discipline, which he calls "ProActive Discipline" in our high school. It has literally made our school into a new place.The change was so dramatic that parents and community people were coming onto campus, noticing the difference, and asking us what we had done to cause such a dramatic change.He has many ideas on various aspects of school reform, all of which are different than most of what is usually pushed as school reform. His ideas are all very practical and common sence (he has actually produced results with them both as a high school principal and as a consultant). If you have the courage and desire to really reform your schools, this is a great book.

Schoolwide and Classroom Management focuses on the details of handling youngsters and their learning in the very public arena of schoolwork. The authors understand the difficulties of beginning teachers, the schisms in their thinking (do I teach the subject first? or classroom rules first?), and the pulls on their energies. The authors provide an excellent summary of how to arrange the social, emotional, and cognitive elements of instruction; the rules and principles for encouraging student excellence; and the overarching principles that are brought to bear on the student-teacher relationship.

This is a textbook appropriate for student teachers, and for those who would want to teach better.

In today's society, public speaking is not only an art, but a required skill for anyone hoping to advance in the public or private sector. Heck and Hourigan do a wonderful job of assisting even the most nervous speaker to succeed. I give these tapes the highest recommendation as they have helped me not only in my classes but in the various internships I have held while at college.

What a well written, user friendly book!

Easy and fun to read. Seems to be right on target, and gives a lot of excellent examples to illustrate "secrets".

This will be a "handbook" for me as I start a new company, Encouragement Resources, LLC.

This wonderfully enchanting story takes you into the life of a young Sequoyah Indian. It is historically accurate, and a joy to read!

This book has creative ideas to make your children's church fun and a great learning experience for your kids. It is easy for a teacher to follow and the ideas really work to catch the kids interest. My group is memorizing scripture now...completing the power pages (homework pages) and bringing them back for prizes. I am even hearing comments from parents that their kids can't hardly wait to come and be there. Thanks, Susan Lingo for your work in putting this together it certainly has been a help!

It is ideal for small groups or individual studies, which is what it is intended for. He has chosen modules that are directly relevant. The group will be drawn into good discussions and thoughts of actions. A must for those who are contemplating building or seeking lay ministerial leadership in the church. I really have enjoyed all chapters, but especially appreciated the ones covering Faith and Wisdom. There are not always any easy answers, just tough decisions.