Empowering Teachers : What Successful Principals Do

"Heartwarming and motivating! Strategies are brought to life by teachers′ descriptions of specific principal behaviors and how their principals helped them grow as professionals."
Educational Leadership

"Should be read by all practicing principals! An extraordinary, perceptive account of how a principal can influence teachers and make an impact on school culture."
Richard R. Tranter, Principal
Murray High School
Murray, Utah

Joseph and Jo Blase provide a unique opportunity for principals to learn what really works in empowering teachers to be their best. Based on interviews with over 800 teachers who describe in detail what their principals do on a daily basis to influence and empower them, the authors show the transformative effects principals can have on teachers′ work both in the classroom and in the wider school setting. And now, an expanded and updated edition makes this critically acclaimed book more valuable than ever.

• Recent data and insights from research, literature, and national reports
• New figures, models, tips, and reading lists
• New emphasis on instructional leadership as it relates to facilitative-democratic leadership

The authors present descriptions of what successful principals do—from teachers′ actual experiences—that leads to such impacts as improved self-esteem, confidence, commitment, innovation, autonomy, and reflection. Relevant concepts, models, and strategies from the literature help practitioners think through their approach to implementing shared governance.

For both the practicing and prospective principal who want to construct meaningful ways of working with teachers—this book offers critical reflection about leadership using a relevant knowledge base—the teachers themselves.

Joseph Blase is professor of educational leadership at the University of Georgia. He has published widely in the areas of teacher stress, principal-teacher relationships, and shared governance leadership. Blase earned the Memorial Award given by the University Council for Educational Administration, and in 1999 he was recognized by the American Educational Research Association as an elite scholar.

Jo Blase is professor of educational leadership at the University of Georgia and a former public school teacher, middle and high school principal, and director of staff development. She has published widely in the area of preparation for and entry to educational and instructional leadership as it relates to supervisory discourse. Blase is winner of the 1997 University of Georgia College of Education Teacher Educator Award and the 1983 American Association of School Administrators Outstanding Research Award.