Reality Calling
The Story of a Principal’s First Semester
Abstract
Crafted from authentic experiences shared by principals, Reality Calling: The Story of a Principal’s First Semester reveals fictional Principal Joe Gentry’s first few months on the job. We see his efforts to establish relationships with students, staff and community, handle unexpected (and sometimes unimaginable) events, and pursue the often elusive concept of instructional leadership. Throughout the process, Joe seeks guidance and support from his wife, mentors and two friends, who are also new principals. As the months roll by, he strives to navigate the complex ups and downs of school leadership, find personal and professional balance, apply the standards that govern school leaders and learn from his mistakes.
This extended, real-world case study provides readers an authentic, unvarnished account of a fully-human principal knee deep in what is appropriately called the toughest job in education. The book concludes with Joe and his two principal friends reflecting on lessons learned and setting goals for the second half of the school year -- revealed in this book's companion, Seeking Balance: The Story of a Principal's Second Semester.
- i–xii Preface i–xii
- 1–8 1 March 1–8
- 9–16 2 June 9–16
- 17–24 3 July 17–24
- 25–32 4 August 25–32
- 33–40 5 Mid-August 33–40
- 41–52 6 Late August 41–52
- 53–60 7 Early September 53–60
- 61–76 8 Mid-September 61–76
- 77–82 9 Mid-September 77–82
- 83–92 10 Early October 83–92
- 93–104 11 Mid-October 93–104
- 105–114 12 Late October 105–114
- 115–126 13 Homecoming 115–126
- 127–138 14 Early November 127–138
- 139–150 15 Mid-November 139–150
- 151–160 16 December 151–160
- 161–172 17 Mid-December 161–172
- 173–173 References 173–173