If You Don't Feed the Teachers They Eat the Students: Guide to Success for Administrators and Teachers [Paperback]

 

 

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I am in my third year as an administrator in a public high school and currently enrolled in a doctorate program in educational administration. As part of my studies I have read several books and reviews on leadership and management, and even though Neila Connors offers a disclaimer that her book is not research based, focused on results of surveys, or theoretically driven, her information is line with current research. Her book takes a more humorous and lighter approach on the importance of an effective leader or administrator recognizing teachers and creating a positive school climate.
The author has complied a list of characteristics for truly effective educational leaders through her numerous observations of successful leaders. The "head cook" must have a vision that others are willing to buy into and be wanting and not forced to follow. A short section in the first chapter allows the reader a chance to reflect on his/her current status as an effective school leader by answering a series of short questions and "Whetting Your Appetite" for further reading.
Later chapters such as "The Need to Feed" and "Creating an Ambiance" give the reader a list of indicators of effective leaders that can be used as a measuring stick and as a guide to what to include in our everyday roles as educational leaders. There is also a series of yes/no questions that can help determine the hunger that your individual schools and teachers may be experiencing. The ambiance or school climate is seen as one of the main responsibilities of a school principal and there is a list of seven attributes a leader must have in order to have a positive school climate and help insure the teachers feel satisfied. Areas such as open communication, active participation by all, and human relation skills all come with suggestions and tangible applications.
"Pass the P's Please" is a chapter that gives a list of actions exhibited by strong leaders within a school such as, positive attitudes, passion for their profession, and persistence. Not only do strong managers exhibit certain actions, but they also possess certain talents or skills. Prized principals are people oriented, prepared, problems solvers, and parent and public minded. Whether these are talents that must be sought in searching for potential principals or skills that may be taught to existing administrators, the book gives many examples of how these attributes are used in a positive school setting.
Neila Connors adds additional insight by sharing meaningful experiences she has observed in great schools and offers suggestions in dealing with teachers who "Can't Stand the Heat, (and need to) Get out of the Kitchen." She stresses the importance of maximizing the talents and potential of star teachers while working with, but not being consumed by, the negative quacking of low performing teachers. She gives strategies for working with the quacking staff, but more importantly how to prevent them from causing you and others to lose your appetite towards children and education. Feeding the teachers can go a long way in quieting the quacking and preventing it from even becoming an issue.
The last section of the book gives 150 activities or "desserts" you can prepare and serve to your staff so they will not eat the students. The book addresses a very serious issue of teacher recognition and school climate in a time where teacher stress is increasing. Standardized testing/accountability and budget cuts are all having an impact on teacher satisfaction and school climate. We as administrators need as many resources as we can get that are written in concise and applicable forms to help us become great managers. Helping teachers grow and reach their goals is vital to creating a great school and recognizing and feeding them is a vital part of this process. The author has included a variety of inspirational quotes and stresses that the best teachers remember what it is like to be a student, and the best administrators remember what its is like to be a teacher. I found the book a great resource for applying researched based concepts that I have read about in other books and articles.

I am preparing to enter the administrative field and have developed an interest in material that will give me some incite into potential issues. This book provides examples that are fun and easy to read as well as resources that you will be able to refer to as a reference. It will stay on my shelf for access and I have already suggested it to other staff members to read.

This little book is a quick and easy read. You can thumb through it in an evening and yet it's filled with great ideas on leadership and motivating educators. Well worth the reasonable price and a much better buy than some other titles on teacher motivation that cost a great deal more but aren't nearly as user-friendly.

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5.0 out of 5 stars absolutely wonderful
This book was definitely not only my style of philosophy but also writing. For a quick read for an aspiring administrator it was great. Read more

Published on May 14 2003 by Kathleen Ross

4.0 out of 5 stars Connors Satifies
Fashioned literally as a menu for administrative success, Neila Connors' If you Don't Feed the Teachers They Eat the Students, is a straight talking street smart triumph that is a... Read more

Published on April 6 2003 by Ed Bennett

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Most Important Elements of Leadership in Schools
There are many things Educational Leaders are unable to do because Education is so commonly plagued by inadequate funding. Read more

Published on Nov 3 2002 by Daniel J. Maloney

5.0 out of 5 stars A must buy for principals!
This book is a must for the beginning as well as for the veteran principal. Great words of wisdom, experience and quotations which will inspire all principals. Read more

Published on Jun 30 2000 by Jeff Garthwaite

5.0 out of 5 stars Help for the Harried Teacher
This engaging and enlightening book dares to talk about the things that affect teachers' lives...and their teaching: stress, lack of appreciation, isolation, and negativity. Read more

Published on April 26 2000

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful guide to success!
This book should sit on the desk of every school administrator in America. Being a teacher or administrator is an extremely challenging role and this book provides a very... Read more

Published on April 14 2000 by James Forde

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