Principal Sept./Oct. 2014: Managing and Communicating Change

A new year brings new challenges and the latest issue of Principal focuses on change—in particular, how principals can manage the change process and effectively communicate with stakeholders.

In this issue, balancing urgency emerges as a key concept, starting with the lead article, “A Balanced Approach.” In it, authors Steven V. Hall and Susan K. Green argue that principals must offset tense environments by acknowledging and refocusing emotions in ways that motivate and unify the school community. Denver principal Alex Magaña picks up on this theme in, “Change, Setbacks, and Transformation,” a case study on implementing a blended learning program and after-school enrichment activities at a middle school.

The issue also addresses shifting to online assessments with a contribution from Florida principal Mark E. Shanoff, and enhancing student teaching experiences, with an update on the edTPA program by Sharon P. Robinson, who is president and CEO of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education.

Principals aren’t the only ones managing change this fall. In this issue, Principal magazine is introducing the Best Practice department, which will present a game-changing practice straight from the field. In this first installment, Kathy A. Melton and Melinda Miller show principals how they can “Connect & Celebrate With Facebook.”

This issue also features NAESP’s newly established National Panel for New Principals. Launched in January 2014, the panel is comprised of first- and second-year principals. Each month, they weigh in on important issues, and the results are summarized in the Rise & Shine: Insights From New Principals brief. In “Bright Ideas,” we’ve pulled out some of those insights, useful to both new and veteran principals.

This issue also marks the fourth time we’ve collaborated with Crayola to produce the Champion Creatively Alive Children supplement, designed to share the stories of schools’ efforts to support arts-infused education.

Finally, in the latest installment of My Two Cents, principals and attendees of this summer’s NAESP 2014 Annual Conference in Nashville shared leadership mantras and ideas via Twitter. Here’s what some of you said:

@ehuthsimpson: “In our programs, we need to give people exposure to great educators and leaders! Learn from the best. What does great look like?”

@billsterrett: “Principals, don’t cause ‘initiative fatigue’ by returning from a conference with more work for teachers. Focus your efforts.”

@danpbutler: “Principals are CEOs: Chief Example for Others. Such a great thought. I love this acronym.”

@ldw4bama: “What we offer to our students tells them what we value. What are you offering?”

Share your mantra for the school year in the comment section below, or let us know on Facebook or Twitter.