John F. Eller - Böcker

Practical pointers for maximizing meetings and motivating team members!At their worst, meetings can waste time, lack focus, foster a combative spirit, or be just plain boring. At their best, meetings can be a positive, dynamic experience that nurtures individual strengths while inspiring teamwork to successfully accomplish an established task. The fate of a meeting lies in the skill of the facilitator, and this easy-to-use guide has all the tips and tools necessary to make you shine in this challenging role.Anyone charged with navigating a group of people toward a desired objective will benefit from this book′s indispensable features, which include: Templates for easy implementation at every stage of the facilitation process Straightforward tactics for managing difficult participants and emotionally charged situations Realistic examples to help you avoid pitfalls Surefire methods for delegating in a meaningful and respectful mannerFrom pre-meeting preparation, to the meeting′s critical first few minutes, to its conclusion and beyond, this manual provides step-by-step guidance for the entire facilitation process. It is packed with proven do′s and don′ts based on psychological principles, research, real-life experience, and field-tested best practices. The user-friendly strategies focus on such key areas as team building, brainstorming, motivating, overcoming problematic situations, reaching goals, and assessing results.

Practical pointers for maximizing meetings and motivating team members!At their worst, meetings can waste time, lack focus, foster a combative spirit, or be just plain boring. At their best, meetings can be a positive, dynamic experience that nurtures individual strengths while inspiring teamwork to successfully accomplish an established task. The fate of a meeting lies in the skill of the facilitator, and this easy-to-use guide has all the tips and tools necessary to make you shine in this challenging role.Anyone charged with navigating a group of people toward a desired objective will benefit from this book′s indispensable features, which include: Templates for easy implementation at every stage of the facilitation process Straightforward tactics for managing difficult participants and emotionally charged situations Realistic examples to help you avoid pitfalls Surefire methods for delegating in a meaningful and respectful mannerFrom pre-meeting preparation, to the meeting′s critical first few minutes, to its conclusion and beyond, this manual provides step-by-step guidance for the entire facilitation process. It is packed with proven do′s and don′ts based on psychological principles, research, real-life experience, and field-tested best practices. The user-friendly strategies focus on such key areas as team building, brainstorming, motivating, overcoming problematic situations, reaching goals, and assessing results.

Infuse staff meetings with enthusiasm and purpose, and breathe new life into school culture!Could your staff meetings use a zap of energy? Do you want more participation and less reluctance when you gather your team? Good educators know that fun, emotion, meaningful connections, and high expectations drive learning and committed attention to a task. This sourcebook overflows with strategies, activities, and resources designed to bring these all-important qualities into the faculty meeting.Teacher leaders will discover the keys to improved collaboration, teamwork, and productivity—and new tools to improve group processes. By modeling best practice at staff meetings, leaders also give their teachers new engagement tools that they can put directly to use in their classrooms. The authors demonstrate how to reduce the "chore" factor of meetings by:Lightening the atmosphere with creative approaches Starting with purpose-focused theme music and other energizers Building relationships within the team that transform the school culture Overcoming barriers to productivity Rewarding and appreciating staff in innovative ways Closing the meeting with a bang—and a planAs the energy from your staff meetings ripples through the school, every teacher and classroom will experience the motivation and focus that you create!

"The authors have captured the ′must knows′ of the superintendency. This book is filled with keen insights and useful strategies to help the new superintendent establish credibility for long-term leadership success."—James Rickabaugh, SuperintendentWhitefish Bay School District, WI"Eller and Carlson offer realistic and practical suggestions for new superintendents to hit the ground running."—Theodore Creighton, ProfessorVirginia TechPractical strategies for meeting the challenges of your first year as a superintendent!The opportunities and responsibilities in the crucial first years of a superintendency can be challenging as well as exciting. This practical resource provides ready-to-use techniques that help superintendents build the relationships and teamwork needed to face these challenges with success.This insightful guide provides new superintendents with guidelines for making a positive difference while handling transitions, culture changes, financial issues, staff supervision, and team building. Using their combined experience as district administrators, the authors uncover the complexities of the job and offer candid discussions about how to:Establish yourself as the instructional leaderDetermine staff and community expectations for your performancePrepare for landmines that may be waiting around the cornerDevelop positive communications with all stakeholders Addressing the most common issues faced by new superintendents, this valuable reference provides the leadership tools to help a school district move forward.

"The authors have captured the ′must knows′ of the superintendency. This book is filled with keen insights and useful strategies to help the new superintendent establish credibility for long-term leadership success."—James Rickabaugh, SuperintendentWhitefish Bay School District, WI"Eller and Carlson offer realistic and practical suggestions for new superintendents to hit the ground running."—Theodore Creighton, ProfessorVirginia TechPractical strategies for meeting the challenges of your first year as a superintendent!The opportunities and responsibilities in the crucial first years of a superintendency can be challenging as well as exciting. This practical resource provides ready-to-use techniques that help superintendents build the relationships and teamwork needed to face these challenges with success.This insightful guide provides new superintendents with guidelines for making a positive difference while handling transitions, culture changes, financial issues, staff supervision, and team building. Using their combined experience as district administrators, the authors uncover the complexities of the job and offer candid discussions about how to:Establish yourself as the instructional leaderDetermine staff and community expectations for your performancePrepare for landmines that may be waiting around the cornerDevelop positive communications with all stakeholders Addressing the most common issues faced by new superintendents, this valuable reference provides the leadership tools to help a school district move forward.

"The Ellers have done an excellent job identifying supervision problems that plague administrators on a daily basis. They provide clear and detailed strategies to address personnel problems covering virtually every employment group. I strongly recommend this book as a quick reference for all school administrators as they deal with difficult employees."—Dan Hoverman, SuperintendentMounds View Public Schools, Shoreview, MNHelp marginal employees take positive steps to improve their performance and behavior!Managing difficult employees is one of the most challenging aspects of a school leader′s job. Written by experienced administrators, this resource provides specific techniques and strategies to identify, work with, and evaluate marginal school employees.John F. Eller and Sheila Eller provide essential information for understanding and dealing with employees who may have negative attitudes, lack awareness of their behavior, blame others for problems, or are marginal performers. Drawing on the authors′ extensive experience, this book includes:Skills and sample dialogues for conducting difficult conversationsTemplates for putting concerns into writing and developing improvement plansInformation about legal issues and ways to protect yourselfSpecific strategies for working with teachers, secretaries and assistants, paraprofessionals, and custodial staffSteps to take when termination becomes necessaryThis ready reference helps administrators develop the leadership skills and competencies necessary to confront marginal and deficient behaviors and achieve successful results.

"The Ellers have done an excellent job identifying supervision problems that plague administrators on a daily basis. They provide clear and detailed strategies to address personnel problems covering virtually every employment group. I strongly recommend this book as a quick reference for all school administrators as they deal with difficult employees."—Dan Hoverman, SuperintendentMounds View Public Schools, Shoreview, MN

Help marginal employees take positive steps to improve their performance and behavior!

Managing difficult employees is one of the most challenging aspects of a school leader's job. Written by experienced administrators, this resource provides specific techniques and strategies to identify, work with, and evaluate marginal school employees.

John F. Eller and Sheila Eller provide essential information for understanding and dealing with employees who may have negative attitudes, lack awareness of their behavior, blame others for problems, or are marginal performers. Drawing on the authors' extensive experience, this book includes:

Skills and sample dialogues for conducting difficult conversationsTemplates for putting concerns into writing and developing improvement plansInformation about legal issues and ways to protect yourselfSpecific strategies for working with teachers, secretaries and assistants, paraprofessionals, and custodial staffSteps to take when termination becomes necessary

This ready reference helps administrators develop the leadership skills and competencies necessary to confront marginal and deficient behaviors and achieve successful results.

"Principals at all levels will find this book valuable. It translates espoused theories of climate and culture into practical ideas."—Boyd Dressler, Associate Adjunct ProfessorMontana State University"Focused, to the point, and direct—a quick read for a busy principal looking for ideas."—Leslie A. Standerfer, PrincipalEstrella Foothills High School, Goodyear, AZSet the tone for educational success!School culture is one of the most important factors in student and staff performance. Positive climates foster superior achievement, while negative climates discourage learners, educators, and parents alike. Based on thirty years of combined experience as school principals, staff developers, and educational leaders, John F. and Sheila Eller present a wide spectrum of unique, practical, and proven strategies to improve school climate and culture.Divided into chapters that emphasize the main components of school culture, this guide allows busy school leaders to go directly to the section that best addresses their specific needs. The authors provide a clear definition of culture along with diagnostic tools to help readers determine the state of their school′s culture. Chapters feature activities and ideas to:Foster personal rapport and collegiality between staff membersDevelop collaborative work relationshipsImprove staff meetingsAddress issues related to office operationsDeal appropriately with conflictCreative Strategies to Transform School Culture offers fun and inventive ideas for school leaders who are working diligently to create a collaborative teaching and learning environment.