Accelerated Wisdom: 50 Practical Insights for Today's Superintendent

by Howard C. Carlson

Overview

Whether new to the superintendency or seasoned in our role, we all seek to grow in wisdom. To the extent we can accelerate the acquisition of this wisdom it improves our chances for success and gives us familiarity regarding how to handle the complexities of the job. The goal of the book is to assist with that task, to accelerate one’s wisdom, and therefore provide a shorter path to effectiveness. Accelerated Wisdom: Fifty Practical Insights for Today’s Superintendent refines knowledge, experience and research to focus on practical concepts for handling the daily challenges superintendents face. Notions such as how to retain key information, respond to requests from staff and the public, promote your ideas, maintain focus, and achieve life balance on the job are shared in a hands-on format. The book provides tools, tips, templates and examples which are designed to be easily implemented and to make an immediate difference in the life of those serving in the superintendency. Dig in, enjoy and accelerate your wisdom!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781475846270
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	12/14/2018
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	126
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Howard C. Carlson, EdD, has been a superintendent for more than 15 years, serving in the states of Arizona, Minnesota and Washington. Dr. Carlson is co-author of So Now You’re the Superintendent, a book co-published by the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) and Corwin Press. He has served on the AASA Governing Board, the board of the Arizona School Administrators’ Association (ASA) and the Arizona Governor’s E-Learning Task Force. In 2015, he was recognized as Distinguished Administrator of the Year for the superintendent’s division of ASA.

Table of Contents

Preface

Chapter 1: Keeping Track

Chapter 2: How to Navigate Requests, Concerns, Questions and New Proposals

Chapter 3: Hiring, Mentoring, and Supervising Employees

Chapter 4: Leadership and Decision Making

Chapter 5: Politics, Legislative Influence and Local Campaigns

Chapter 6: Mastering School Board Relationships

Chapter 7: Living the Superintendency

Editorial Reviews

Leaders who are new and/ or aspiring to the role of superintendent can gain insights from Accelerated Wisdom that would normally take many years to acquire. As well, veteran superintendents also will profit from Carlson’s insights because they offer an opportunity to re-examine practices and develop improved strategies. Through Accelerated Wisdom, readers will experience vicariously several proven approaches to the daily workload of the superintendent. With 50 strategies to work with, even if only one or two makes your job better, you can count the benefits gained as a success during superintendency.

School Administrator

Dr. Carlson's hard-earned wisdom will allow novice and experienced superintendents alike to accelerate their learning and improve their performance by following his advice and adages in this insightful book.

Mark Joraanstad

Dr. Carlson has developed a book that is an essential, "must have" resource for superintendents and other school leaders. The strategies and examples he shares come from his extensive experience as a superintendent and chief executive officer in several school districts. Don't attempt to lead without it.

John F. Eller

Dr. Carlson has taken the complexities of a complicated position, consisting of many moving parts with diverse shareholders, and provided a useful and uncomplicated resource. His insights can be used by the novice, as well as the seasoned superintendent.

Debbie Burdick

A superintendent must have talents and abilities that extend way beyond the management of curriculum and instruction. A successful school system leader must be an expert politician, an ambassador to the community and an excellent communicator. Accelerated Wisdom provides an invaluable checklist that will help today's superintendent as well as those aspiring to become one.

Daniel A. Domenech

Accelerated Wisdom: 50 Practical Insights for Today's Superintendent is a rare find for Superintendents. It is a book that you can open any page and find something you can use today. As a leader of a region of school districts, I see this book a resource that will help me support Superintendents. I get questions about these topics everyday. I will be recommending this resource to every Superintendent I know.

Kevin Chase