Monday Moanin Thoughts #17, Check Your Bookcase

For the past several weeks I have had the pleasure to have monthly  coaching sessions with several building administrators. These outstanding people are doing great work with their communities. Several of my meetings are conducted in their offices.  I noticed that most of them have bookcases that are jammed with hundreds of books and journals filled with critical information on pertinent topics.  As I reflect  back on my office as a principal and my den today, I have the same overfilled bookcases. I realized that it was and is rare that I read or look at any of these books on my shelves. This is such a waste. So as I glanced at the titles and began looking and reading certain sections from Danielson, Marzano, Covey, Stiggins, Glickman,Kouzes,and Posner. Incredible resources with timely information that can assist us as we work with staffs and students. So, for the next week check your bookcase and use what you have available. One of these  books I read years ago was Leadership for Learning, by Carl Glickman.  From this book I took our quote of the week:

Successful schools understand that the direct improvement of teaching and learning in every classroom comes via a constellation of individuals and groups who undertake a myriad of activities and initiatives. These activities and initiatives provide continual reflection and changing of classroom practices guided by the educational aspirations of the school.

Another quote is from a book off my shelf , Leadership the Challenge by James Kouzes and Barry Posner:

Leadership is not at all about personality; it’s about practice.

Have a great week and find the good stuff, some will be right in your office.