Acharya Devo Bhav: by Dr. Nilesh Gopal das Joshi (best ereader for pdf and epub txt) 📖

ways to do so; their mantra is 'as we know better, we do better'. They are an influencer and understand the power of effort in creating the learning that every child deserves."

‘A strong sense of purpose and stewardship’

NSW Secondary Principals’ Council president, Chris Presland, largely agrees with Pierpoint, saying an effective school leader embodies “a strong sense of purpose and stewardship”.

“Quality leadership is about having the knowledge, capabilities and processes necessary to explore and articulate a collaboratively developed sense of purpose,” Presland told The Educator.

“Good leaders are driven by a sense of stewardship and possess the capabilities to engender in others that same sense of personal responsibility and accountability for what happens in their own domain.”

Presland said the best school leaders are inspirational in that they inspire those around them to reach even higher capabilities and to be driven by a belief in the value of serving the needs of every child.

“These leaders constantly work to develop quality relationships at all levels, to build community, to embody the concept of service to others and to engage in a relentless pursuit of self and organisational improvement,” he said.

 

 

Chapter 6 Outstanding Qualities Of A Good School Principal

 

Outstanding Qualities Of A Good School Principal

 

 

School principals are the heads of various learning institutions. These professionals should possess all the qualities of being good leaders. These qualities help in determining whether they will be able to manage their people in school. The school heads are in charge of all the students as well as teaching and non-teaching staff. They are therefore required to possess the various qualities or extraordinary strengths; all these make them worthy leaders.

Principals who lack these qualities are more likely to fail in performing their functions and duties. On the other hand, school heads having exceptional qualities and skills ensures that the education system meets the required standards. They are known for producing excellent results. A leader, especially in educational institution possessing remarkable qualities, makes him or her superb among the other staff in an organization.

The required qualities of a school head are as follows:

Transparency

Being a leader, school principals need to be transparent when performing their duties. They should have a clean conscience. This will enable them to face all the situations with honesty. Such principals will be in a better position in bringing back that value of honesty and good ethics since they will be a role model of these essential virtues.

The adage states that ” honesty is the best policy.” This saying should be posted in all the classrooms to cascade honesty as virtue starting from the school leader to all the students. This means that transparency is the aftermath of honesty and it should be possessed by each and every school leader.

Good visionary

A good principal should be in a position of visualizing the school’s future. This is considered to be an exceptional quality since not all people have the gift of being good when it comes to visions. Such a leader is a good fortune-teller, and he or she can project or guess what is likely to happen shortly or any years to come.

 

Risk taker

A good leader should be a risk taker of both himself and for all his constituents. Such a leader is in a better position of seeing what lies beyond the current situation. A good leader should possess this exceptional skill. These are the individuals who have the courage and are brave to risk their jobs just to improve the welfare of their school and their constituents. Such leaders end up being very successful in their careers.

 

 

 

Chapter 7 Vital Traits of a Successful Principal

 

Vital Traits of a Successful Principal

The word ‘Principal’ is not just a noun; it is more than that.  It is a paragon to professionalism, integrity, disciple and intelligence. However as a profession, it is full of challenges. Being a principal is not at all easy. It is a high stress job which requires top-notch calibre to execute the given responsibilities in a precise and result-oriented manner.

However when it comes to perform, not all do justice to their profession. While some perform abysmally and lost in the race while others use innovative methods to make a mark in the industry. It is thus important to know what a successful principal does that makes him/her a legend in the educational space.

Students Remain their Focal Point

Successful principals always keep students at the centre of their every manoeuvre and never lose sight from students’ welfare.  For them, students are the first priority and all their actions and policies are directed towards the overall development of students whether it is related to students’ safety, academic growth, personality development or any other thing. Each of their decision is meticulously planned which creates a profound effect on the student’s learning curve. Such principals always focus to nurture, counsel, and educate each students while keeping the highest standards and discipline in place.

Open Door Policy

Principals have busy schedules attending guest lectures, conferences, seminars and other important meetings with top authorities and school personnel. These things are important as it provides special inputs to the principal for crafting further educational reforms. But not finding enough time to meet with teachers, staff members, parents and most importantly the students keep lose your grip from the ground reality. Successful principals understand the importance of maintaining dialogue with every stakeholder and always have an open door policy where everyone is welcomed to discuss their grievances in a swift manner. Moreover, apart from making yourself available, having good listening skills can help create a long lasting impression with others.

Always in Search of Long-term Solutions

Principals are the premier decision-making authority that always in search of solution of their existing problems. Sometimes quick fix works but it does not be a substitute for a permanent solution. Successful principals are many steps ahead with their peers and play smartly in every scenario. Such principals use a temporary solution in dearth of a permanent one and help avoid the deadlock over the situation. They always look into any problem with a minute level and simultaneously search for a sustainable permanent solution by looking at the broader picture. They understand that by taking cognizance of smaller issues ultimately the road towards reaching solution of bigger problem will become clear. And thus help save both money and precious time.

Source of Knowledge

Principals are the epitomes of wisdom. They should have proficiency in many vital areas including content and policy. Successful principals are the treasure of knowledge and should always be updated with the latest happening around research, technology, education and government policies. Ultimately, they are the ones whom everyone will tilt towards for asking suggestions if arises any queries. Both teachers and students admire a principal who understand the nitty-gritty every course that has been taught in the school. Moreover, good principals always offer tips, strategies and share their profound knowledge to enhance the learning environment at school.

Draft and Implement Policies

A nation runs through constitution and school runs through its policy. Therefore, every principal should be an adept policy writer who can craft policies keeping the school’s broader vision and mission in mind.

In a school, children from diverse community, ethnicity, religion and socio-economic status come to study. It is thus the responsibility for the management to provide equal accessibility to all vital resources to all its students.  By framing a policy which provides equality, discipline, and creative environment can lead students towards the path of ultimate enlightenment. Successful principals are proactive in their approach. They understand local situations, students, faculty and bigger objectives and problems much better than others and thus accordingly draft the rule book for the school. Moreover, they also stringently enforce policies in timely manner with keeping strong vigil on its implementation.

Believe in Delegation

A principal is always loaded with lots of work. Though, it is true that the best person should execute any particular task but it is not always possible for the principal to execute each operation. Successful principals believe in the idea of delegating. By distributing work, principals do get many benefits. First, they find time to look towards much bigger vision concerning the growth of school community. And second they find the potential of their junior sub-ordinates in handling critical tasks. Moreover, it also empowers the junior staff and make them feel valued and trusted. Delegation also gives a hint towards the person who can become your successor and also keeps your stress level to minimum.

Principal is the leader-in-charge of an institution. Every person closely watches the demeanour of principal in their school premises and tries to imbibe the good qualities out of them. It is thus important to absorb good qualities and that can help set an ideal example which people admire. Be the first one to arrive and last one to leave. Keep a smiling face and handle every adversity with grit and perseverance. Ultimately your reputation and success is in your hand.

 

Chapter 8 What makes a great principal?

 

 

What makes a great principal?

 

 

 

The classroom teacher is the most visible person in your child’s life at school, but it is the principal who is responsible for providing a high- quality education for all students there.

What makes a great principal?  Principals vary in strategy, temperament, and leadership style, but the great ones have four characteristics in common:

Great principals take responsibility for school success. Great principals lead teaching and learning. Great principals hire, develop and retain excellent teachers. Great principals build a strong school community.

GreatSchools.org talked to several San Francisco public school principals who illustrate these qualities. The principals spoke about leadership and how they meet the real-life challenges of their jobs.

Great principals take responsibility for school success

Great principals believe that the problems of the school are their problems, and they never stop trying