Description
Book SynopsisThe work of a school principal is a blend of nonstop demands, heart-opening connections, near-constant stress, passionate commitment, and a merry jumble of projects that flop or flourish. It's easy to forget that the principals own health and harmony are among the things that also need attention. In this innovative workbook, you'll be expertly guided through The Flourishing Principals eight strengths-based, solution-focused strategies for self-renewal are designed to support principals like you. You'll connect with core values, find and sustain healthy balance, acknowledge current reality, and set clear intentions. You'll rediscover innate creativity, refresh healthy communication skills, focus on self-care, and call upon guiding wisdom. You'll flourish!More than 70 well-crafted writing prompts guide you to self-renewal. Each is illustrated with the voice of a flourishing principal who has embodied these strategies. A facilitator's guide featuring a step-by-step curriculum prepares y
Trade ReviewKathleen Adams and Rosemary Lohndorf have captured one of the essential ingredients of successful school administration: taking time for reflection. Reflection, of course, is the key to being a thoughtful leader and a creative problem-solver. By offering strategies for regular journaling, Adams and Lohndorf create the framework for regular reflective opportunities within the busy schedule of a principal. -- Phil Katsampes, principal, Boulder Community School of Integrated Studies, Boulder CO
The life of the principal is busy and fast-paced. At any given time it feels like we’re doing a hundred different things at once. The Flourishing Principal gives real strategies to slow down, ground ourselves, and focus on core values for making decisions and trying to keep our heads above water. And, what better model is there for both staff and students than for us, as principals, to be writing and reflecting? -- Kent Cruger, principal, Bear Creek Elementary, Boulder CO
The sub-title of this welcome book by Kathleen Adams and Rosemary Lohndorf chimes at the heart of its usefulness. Realistic and compassionate, The Flourishing Principal provides highly effective and accessible strategies for self-renewal designed for those of us in educational leadership who may be most susceptible to depletion—those who, like many in servant-leadership positions, may shortchange one's needs or repress one's own doubts in order to address multiple levels of challenge while accounting to multiple constituencies. Excerpts from Rosemary Londorf's journal build upon the framework of Kathleen Adams' journal therapy approach to create a refreshing and insightful experience, one that can bring back the creative flow and the joy of being a school leader. From its step-by-step guide through the eight components of "The Flourishing Circle" through its helpful "Facilitator's Guide," The Flourishing Principal can help re-invigorate the internal forces that nourish the souls of new principals, and those in mid- and late career and those in retirement. After each engagement with the ideas and writing prompts contained herein, readers will find themselves reflecting on the strands their own wisdom to which they've been reconnected and carrying a renewed sense of purpose well into the school day and beyond. -- Diane Richard-Allerdyce, PhD, principal, Toussaint L'Ouverture High School for Arts & Social Justice , Delray Beach, Florida
Each chapter in this useful workbook has merit and potential insight on its own, but taken as a whole, the practice of honest reflection could result in not only flourishing rejuvenation but life changing self-knowledge and efficacy. Examples from principal Rosemary Lohndorf were very helpful, particularly for new or reluctant writers. I also see application of many of the tools to an entire staff—happy, self-aware, healthy teachers are better for students and their learning. The Facilitators Guide enriches the possibilities of book study and substantive collaboration for building principals. It makes me want to un-retire and facilitate a group of learning leaders. -- Joan Watson, former principal, Horizon High School, Adams 12 Five Star Schools, Thornton, Colorado and current board member, Learning Forward Colorado
Table of ContentsPreface 1.Why Write? Why Write? It’s Easy to W.R.I.T.E Suggestions for Satisfying Writing 2.The Flourishing Principle The Principle of Flourishing Warm-Ups 01.Who am I? 02.The Flourishing Wheel 03.Finding the Flourishing Zone Reflections 3.Core Values Core Values Warm-Ups 04.Naming Values 05.Defining Values 06.Making Art from a Core Value 07.Values-Based Problem Solving Reflections 4.Balance Cultivating Balance Warm-Ups 08.The Balance Wheel 09.Balance Inventory 10.Core Values and the Balance Wheel Reflections 5.Realism Telling Yourself the Truth Warm-Ups 11.Transforming “Stinkin’ Thinkin’” 12. Reality Cards 13.The ABCs 14.Current Reality Reflections 6.Intention The Power of Intention Warm-Ups 15.What Do I Want? 16.Setting Intention 17.100 Action Steps 18.Categorizing Your List 19.Taking the Next Step Reflections 7.Creativity The Creative Process Warm-Ups 20.Creativity Current Reality 21.Unblocking the Flow 22.Creativity Scavenger Hunt 23.Feeding the Muse Reflections 8.Communication Communicating with Self and Others Warm-Ups 24.The Quality of My Listening 25.Rewriting the Script 26.Dialogue with the Self Reflections 9.Self-Care Taking Time for Self-Care Warm-Ups 27.Self-Care Inventory 28.Advice from My Flourishing Self 29.My Self-Care Action Plan Reflections 10.Wisdom Keeping a Wisdom Journal Warm-Ups 30.A Note of Appreciation 31.Forgiving Self and Others 32.Captured Moment of Joy 33.A Story of Kindness Reflections 11.Obstacles into Outcomes Putting It All Together 34.A Current Obstacle 35.Applying the Tools 36.Heart-Centered Communication 37.Action Plan for Outcomes Reflection 12.The Flourishing Principal Flourishing Warm-Ups 38.My Flourishing Plan 39.One Year From Today References Gratitudes About the Authors Facilitator’s Guide
