We all need a critical friend.
In a nod to sustainability, this guidebook will be sent to you as a pdf ready for you to read on your device or print off as you need.
The Guitar Principal’s Critical Friend . . .
An Opportunity to Go Deeper.
In each chapter of the guidebook you will find multiple questions and activities to challenge your thinking, sharpen your focus and provide you with ideas.
A Question of Leadership
Every day leaders wrestle with hard questions. Throughout this guidebook you will have a chance to examine the same questions that Robinson has been challenged by. Will you lineup with how he sees things or go your own way?
Ponderings.
As you follow Robinson through the story you will have several opportunities to dig into the decisions he makes and other aspects of the story. Did he get it right? Could you have done better?
All About the Data.
Successful leaders are data-literate. These prompts will give you ideas on what data you might want to consider as you examine and improve your school.
Reflection Starter
Perhaps the single most important thing a leader can do to improve is practice self-reflection. In fact, that was the impetus for The Guitar Principal in the first place. These prompts will inspire any leader to reflect on both the professional and personal aspects of life in the office.
Something to Try
This offering of ideas for you to use in your own context was borne out of a desire to find ways to do things better or at least differently. They are an attempt to improve the way things are done in a building. Some may fit your context and some may not. Only you can decide.
Extending Your Understanding
There are a lot of smart people out there. This compilation of books and thinkers is in no way an exhaustive list. Some you may have heard of or even consulted already, some you may be new to. Either way they are all have something to offer and will most likely lead you to more.
Adding to the Soundtrack
With a title of The Guitar Principal, how could you not expect a music related activity? This challenge asks you to build the soundtrack for the book, one song at a time. Whether its the song playing on Robinson’s car radio, the show tune that the musical performed or a rock anthem to get your blood pumping, music is an integral part of this story. Have some fun with this!
The Riff
We get better by practicing and challenging ourselves repeatedly. In each chapter of this guidebook you will be confronted with a case study aka The Riff. Spend some time reading and examining it. It is followed up by some questions to guide your thinking. Enjoy!