The Flourishing Principal

Kathleen 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