Fall Down, Stand Up

Russ Thompson served thirty-six years as an educator in Los Angeles, including fourteen years as the principal of three high schools. Two of the schools where he served as principal were turnaround schools.

Tired of arm chair theorists and distant policy wonks in conservative think tanks telling politicians, gullible op-ed editors, and state legislators who want instant fixes of how easy it is to fix the schools? Then open this book by veteran public school principal Russ Thompson for how it is in the real world of school administration for a refreshing memoir of the multi dimensionalities of the hard day to day continuous challenges involved with real school improvement. Fall Down, Stand Up will find you cheering for the hard won little victories at day’s end that when summed up over time result in changed school accomplishment and operational success.

• Preface AcknowledgementsDisciplineThe Problem Was Now Worse Class Time Was Like Lunch Time It Was the Best He Had Seen Simple DetentionHe Had to Change His MentalitySaturday School Lunch SupervisionA Fight that Was Prevented The Problem with SuspensionsThe First Award of His Entire Life It Was Almost a Real Emergency Riot and RecoverySection Review Classroom InstructionThe Learning in ClassroomsThe Reason It WorkedA Sustained Process He Had Firmly BelievedYou Have to Go Out and Look for ProblemsThe Best Way to Spend Your TimeIt Was His First DayAn Opinion Is Not Research Your Presence in Classrooms Will It Help Students Learn Better?The Power of a Positive Learning EnvironmentThe Common Core State StandardsA Model LessonSection ReviewSchool Operations Cleaning NeededThe Foundation of Your Entire SchoolTragedyAnother TragedyAlmost a DisasterPhone Calls The Entire ContractThe Right Kind of Faculty MeetingSection ReviewLeadershipDelegation Delegation Gone Bad DeadlinesAsk QuestionsA Sacrifice You Must MakePrioritiesAlso Listen to the Quiet VoicesWe Are Not as Bad As...Making People Happy Is Not Your JobHe Went Over to His ShelfPick Up the PhoneA Leader Who Got Things DoneDo Not Let the Obstacle Overcome YouExhaustionA Mistake He Would Never Forget Advice from a ProTarget PracticeAsk for AdviceA Big DifferenceAlways Watching YouSection ReviewPeopleIn the Middle of KidsIt Was Distorted and Very NegativePeople Need TimeSuggestion or Requirement?Saved by a RecordingDeviceNecessary ActionIt Was Said Behind His BackIt Was a Lie and the Principal Believed HimGossipDelay Makes It WorseTalk to the Person in Person You Must Also Be PersuasiveRemember the PositivesA Good School AgainSection ReviewAbout the AuthorIndex