What Do You Do Around Here Anyway?: Real-Life Discussion Generators for Wannabe Principals

Dr. Smith”s book reminds me of the classic text by Harry F. Wolcott entitled The Man in the Principal”s Office. Except this time it is the principal who does the talking. — Ellen Calderone, associate superintendent, Lexington City Public Schools, North Carolina

…Insightful, candid, and chock-full of insight, humor, and time-honored wisdom. Principals, those who want to be principals, those who prepare principals, even teachers and parents will find something both humorous and telling within the books” pages. It”s one of the truest accounts of the principalship I”ve had the pleasure to read in some time. — Duncan Waite, Ph.D., professor of education and community leadership, Texas State University; editor, The International Journal of Leadership in Education; and director, The International Center for Educational Leadership and Social Change

Smith describes what principals experience all the time…to the glimpses of hope that draw us to education ― the chance to make a difference. …this is real stuff from the principal”s diary. — Dr. Nick Pace, educational leadership, counseling, and postsecondary education, University of Northern Iowa

…A pragmatic study; informative and reflective. He provides a nice blend of his own experience as a leader with that of being a scholar of the discipline. Thus his study compliments theoretical reflection with actual leadership praxis. A must-read for future principals. — Dr. Steven White, associate professor, leadership and educational studies, Appalachian State University

…[A] candid collection of snapshots of the real world of the school principal. Those who have ”been there and done that” will wear a smile of recognition as they read his journal of a school principal”s life. Smith”s journal is [a] vivid, nuts and bolts job description of the school principal. — Richard Heimer, former principal, Sheffield-Chapin High School (West Fork Schools), Sheffield, Iowa