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we’rebooked BOOK REVIEWS FOR THE PRINCIPAL & SCHOOL LIBRARY

PRINCIPAL LABS

Strengthening Instructional Leadership Through Shared Learning

By Samantha Keesling, Megan Kortlandt, and Carly Stone

Review by Maria Call, Curriculum Director, Berne Union Local School District

Principal Labs details a strategic framework for collaboration that can be used by school administrators in order to engage in shared learning opportunities with other school leaders. Principal Labs were created by the three authors, who have a diverse portfolio of educational experiences, after they realized that principals often times feel isolated, unprepared, and in dire need of collaboration with other administrators. The authors crafted a way for principals to gain insights from each other in order to make positive changes to their instructional

leadership by experiencing pertinent professional development that the administrators can put into action immediately.

The premise of this book is that schools can take great strides toward improvement if leaders are granted the opportunity of working together to problem solve a specific area in a school. The authors make the point that teachers have been collaborating together for years, but this book analyzes what could be achieved when administrators collaborate together and learn cooperatively. Principal labs are essentially jobembedded professional development sessions which take place with a number of members from the administrative team, curriculum department, and other instructional leadership positions. The group forms a think-tank of sorts in order to help a particular school with a specified area where they would like to see change occur. A lab is comprised of four components: relationship building, participating in an anchoring experience together, conducting a shared observation, and gathering back together to gain feedback and develop vision. The authors provided many resources that would make implementing a principal lab in one’s own district attainable. There are a number of agendas, flowcharts, observation record logs, and example labs for the reader to use as a guide when organizing a lab for the first time. It is repeatedly emphasized that collaboration is at the crux of the activity. Individuals must push past their need to appear completely confident and open themselves up to the vulnerability of admitting there is an area of weakness that they would like assistance with improving. A principal lab is not a one-anddone activity. Labs should be done periodically throughout the year in different buildings and with different spotlights so that multiple building principals can benefit from each other’s knowledge and insights. The authors were very clear on the format of a principal lab and provide ample support and resources so that the reader can implement a lab of their own in their school. While the middle of the book drags a bit as the authors detail several labs that they have conducted over the years, overall, the book is enjoyable and easy to read. One word of warning to potential readers of this book would be that the authors wrote under the premise that school districts are inherently large enough to have a large group of school leaders available to collaborate. However, if you work in a smaller district, you would need to tweak the scale of a principal lab to work with fewer individuals. It is still possible to conduct a lab at a smaller school district, but implementation may need to be altered a bit to suit the needs of a smaller school.

If you are a school leader who sees the value of learning with and from other school leaders, who has an area in your school that you would like to see improved upon, and who is open to the suggestions of your contemporaries, then Principal Labs: Strengthening Instructional Leadership Through Shared Learning would be a wonderful option for you.

SHE LEADS

The Women’s Guide to a Career in Educational Leadership

By Dr. Rachael George and Majalise Tolan

Q&A With Katie Nowak, Director of Assessment and Accountability, New Albany-Plain Local Schools, OAESA President Elect, and NAESP National Book Study Facilitator

NAESP’s Center for Women in Leadership has been hosting a National Book Study on the book, She Leads: The Women’s Guide to a Career in Educational Leadership. This heartfelt and honest book is full of personal stories, lessons learned, and wonderful takeaways to empower women leaders to embrace their dreams, break through barriers, and lead with authenticity. Several OAESA Board members have been a part of this opportunity, and have enjoyed it so much that we are kicking off an Ohio She Leads book study at the Women in Leadership Conference on January 31, 2023 at the Hilton Columbus at Easton.

What’s your biggest takeaway since being part of this book study?

As women in leadership, it’s

tHere ’ S a Seat For you at tHe table! book review and book Study oPPortunity

important for us to build each other up, remember that we were hired for a reason, and to proudly share our voices, experiences, and perspectives to make a difference.

What do the connections you’ve made through the book study mean to you?

It’s very empowering to have connections with incredible women leaders from across the country to share stories, experiences, perspectives, and to learn from one another. We are excited to kick off our own Ohio- She Leads Book Study to empower women in leadership across the state of Ohio creating a community of connection, fun, and networking. This opportunity is open to any PreK-12 administrator who wants to be connected and supported by other outstanding women leaders. creep in, but we are called to lead, we belong, and are meant to do this important work. Also, the idea of supporting other women as they move along their career path is just as rewarding as moving yourself. During my time as an administrator, I have been able to coach and support several of my assistant principals into head principal roles, and it’s certainly rewarding to mentor and elevate other women.

How have you implemented lessons you’ve learned through the book study in your leadership?

I think an important lesson learned for me, as I recently transitioned from being a building principal for 11 years to a district leadership role that supports principals and our entire learning campus is to: “Throw out any self-doubt and break through your imposter syndrome.” As part of the book study, there was emphasis on knowing we all have those moments when we are learning and growing where self doubt can

Why would you recommend joining this book study?

I absolutely recommend joining this book study to share experiences, engage in new learning, and feel the incredible sense of empowerment and belonging that comes from being connected to other women leaders in education. We will delve into the book She Leads to discuss strategies and lessons learned from breaking through barriers, landing your dream job, knowing your worth, networking, risk taking, and being your own authentic leader. Join a community of women committed to networking, collaboration, professional learning, and fun.

Come join us at the Women in Leadership

Conference Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, 2023 More information and registration available at: oaesa.org/events/