"The most successful leaders recognize that individual conversations held countless times per day serve as the most authentic example of job-embedded professional learning. Educators can facilitate substantive growth in individuals and organizations―one conversation at a time―and this book shows them how." ―Stephanie Hirsh, Executive Director National Staff Development Council "A necessary handbook on any administrator′s desk, this book is an evening read that can be readily operationalized the next morning. The book could easily serve as a basis for conversation during an administrators′ roundtable discussion." ―Bonnie Tryon, President School Administrators Association of New York An effective, inexpensive approach for facilitating transformation through the entire school community! Being a successful school leader has become an increasingly complex role that demands highly developed interpersonal skills. Now this easy-to-use handbook shows school leaders the practical coaching-conversation techniques they need to engage and motivate their school communities to work collaboratively toward total school transformation. Different from supervisory and mentoring conversations, coaching conversations shift responsibility for instructional improvement from the school leader to every member of the school community. In this example-packed guide, the authors use current research and their own extensive experience to help school leaders: Develop open and reflective conversations with all staff members - Build skills for motivating staff - Adopt new habits for working with teachers, staff, and students - Utilize the power of committed listening, intentional conversations, and non-judgmental feedback - Create positive changes in how people think and interact With this powerful approach, every member of the school community participates in the transformation of the school and shares in the celebration of successful changes! “This book most definitely makes a distinct contribution to the field of education and any field where human interaction occurs between a leader and his or her subordinates.” -- Dana Salles Trevethan, Principal Published On: 2009-12-09 “A necessary handbook on any administrator’s desk, this book is an evening read that can be readily operationalized the next morning. The book could serve as a basis for conversation during an administrators’ roundtable discussion.” -- Bonnie Tryon, President, School Administrators Association of New York Published On: 2009-12-09 “Educators often develop strategies and methodologies based on workplace challenges. The skills are not always the most effective but often emerge from the ′baptism by fire′ approach. This book offers strategies and skills that may be incorporated immediately. The material is very useful. In fact, I just used one of the strategies with a member of my team!” -- Rob Slauson, Principal Published On: 2009-12-09 “The book helps school leaders be effective coaches to effectuate necessary change in schools. It is a tremendous asset to any school leader who wants to make a significant difference in the lives of children.” -- Roberta Glaser, Retired Assistant Superintendent Published On: 2009-12-09 "Imagine having the insight and skills to transform simple conversations into opportunities for growth and reflection. While many school leaders wait for professional development days, the most successful leaders recognize that individual conversations held countless times per day serve as the most authentic example of job-embedded professional learning. Educators can facilitate substantive growth in individuals and organizations―one conversation at a time―and this book shows them how." -- Stephanie Hirsh, Executive Director Published On: 2010-02-08 The authors assist readers with useful tools to increase their ability to engage and motivate school staff while working collectively toward a positive overall school transformation. The greatest strength of this book is that several of the techniques and skill sets mentioned and utilized are in fact common social work communication practices. -- Danny Porter, School Social Work Journal, March 2012 Published On: 2012-04-27 Linda Gross Cheliotes has over 38 years of successful educational experience, including fourteen years as a school administrator. As principal, she transformed her underperforming school to a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. She was named a National Distinguished Principal in 2002 and holds a doctorate in Organizational Leadership. For the past two years, Dr. Gross has been a coach and trainer with Coaching for Results, Inc, a national consortium of school leadership coaches. She is a founding member and coach for NAESP’s principal mentor certification program. Dr. Gross currently works with the New York City Council of School Administrators’ Educational Leadership Institute, providing professional development for assistant principals who aspire to become pri