Standout School Leaders
Challenging What It Means to Lead
- Alan C. Jones - Saint Xavier University, Chicago, IL, USA
Bridge the gap between managing well and leading for impact.
In this must-read guide for education leaders, Alan C. Jones expertly distinguishes between Administrators Good at their Jobs (AGJs) and Standout School Leaders (SSLs) by exploring the qualities that make select leaders truly exceptional. While AGJs focus on maintaining effective school operations, SSLs address the gaps within institutional systems to create environments that foster genuine learning and growth, balance institutional demands with innovative educational approaches, and align day-to-day operations with the deeper mission of schooling.
You’ll find chapter openers that contrast how SSLs and AGJs approach fundamental administrative functions and closing questions to support personal reflection and application of the concept at your school site. Additional features include:
- Vignettes that illustrate daily challenges faced by administrators and contrasting leadership responses
- SSL Tips to offer insights into how SSLs think differently about schooling goals
- End-of-Chapter Resources to deepen understanding of key concepts
Jones empowers education leaders with the knowledge and tools to integrate innovative practices into their roles. Whether you're a principal, department head, or district leader, this book provides the guidance needed to transition from managing to leading by fostering environments where both educators and students can thrive.
Standout School Leaders: Challenging What It Means to Lead details the difference between Administrators Good at their Jobs (AGJs) and Standout
School Leaders (SSLs). Jones provides a true contrast between the two leadership approaches, acknowledging the risks one must take in order to
transition from being good to being great. The text is thought-provoking and reflective, connecting the academic with praxis.
In the crowded market of school leadership literature, this book stands out by offering a distinctive perspective that addresses contemporary challenges with fresh insights. It is poised to significantly enhance administrators’ efficacy by offering a comprehensive toolkit of practical strategies and insightful perspectives. Administrators will be able to apply these concepts effectively in their daily work, fostering a more dynamic and impactful leadership style.
Jones provides a thoughtful exploration of school leadership, emphasizing the importance of aligning daily practices with mission-driven goals. This
book offers practical insights and strategies that will resonate with educators striving to make a meaningful impact on their schools and communities.
Jones has captured the essence of effective, dynamic, and unique school leadership based on first-hand experiences, observations, and reflections. This book contains a comprehensive wealth of information that every current and aspiring school administrator can learn and benefit from!
Jones insightfully depicts the realities of school leaders and shares reflective frustrations and successes of what standout school leadership can look like. He provides hope for what school leadership could become. This is a must-read for school leaders who have faced the realities of our current school systems.
Standout School Leaders (SSLs) break the mold of the traditional managerial leader. This text highlights those strengths and skills that principals can
cultivate to shepherd our next generation of learners and leaders. A great read for the complexities we are navigating.
Standout School Leaders is a road map from someone who has done it! Starting my career as a teacher working with Jones, I’ve been applying these
lessons my whole career. It is fantastic to see them in book form. The specificity, nuance, and real-world examples make this book required reading.
