The much-needed leadership tips and tools for new schooladministratorsFledgling school administrators are often ill-prepared for theirnew leadership role and are frequently left to their own devices tonavigate the slippery terrain of school administration. Dealingwith the Tough Stuff: Practical Solutions for SchoolAdministrators addresses some of the thornier aspects of beingan assistant principal such as handling discipline, mediatingstudent conflicts, working with parents, facilitating parentconferences, and working with staff members. This handy guide willteach the tricks of the trade in order to survive and thrive in thejob.* Filled with the information that is rarely taught but schoolleaders need to know to be effective administrators* Written by John Gabriel and Paul Farmer, two veteran andaward-winning school leaders* Includes strategies and illustrative examples for dealing withthe down-to-earth problems that confront school administratorsPractical and insightful, the book covers everything fromworking effectively with parents and staff to mediatingconflicts.

Foreword by Douglas Reeves ixAcknowledgments xiiiAbout the Authors xvIntroduction xviiPart One Working with Students 1One Responding to Student Conflicts 3Recognize Student Conflicts 4Mediate Student Conflicts 6Address Bullying 14Resolve Student-Teacher Conflicts 23Two Understanding and Preventing Student Misbehavior 27Discuss Discipline with Your Staff 29Review Discipline Data 39Make Connections 40Three Dealing with Student Discipline 45Review Your Referrals 47Engage Your Students 49Work with Your Students 55Four Conducting Investigations 61Manage Your Investigation 62Address Postdiscipline Concerns 72Part Two Working with Adults 79Five Creating and Maintaining Parent Partnerships 81Build a Foundation 82Involve Parents 88Keep the Focus on the Student 92Go Above and Beyond 95Six Facilitating Parent Conferences 99Before the Conference 100During the Conference 103After the Conference 108Seven Navigating Staff Communication 111Guide Conversations 112Focus on Behaviors, Not Attitudes 124Tend the Grapevine 126Eight Building Capacity 129Maintain a Focus on Deep Learning 130Provide Support for Collaborative Teams 140Develop Other Leaders 150Conclusion: Beyond the Tough Stuff 153References 157Index 161