Christine Canning Wilson - Perfect Phrases for School Administrators

PERFECT PHRASESforSCHOOLADMINISTRATORS

Hundreds of Ready-to-Use Phrases for Evaluations, Meetings, Contract Negotiations, Grievances, and Correspondence

Christine Canning Wilson

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ISBN: 978-0-07-163337-6

MHID: 0-07-163337-5

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To my late husband, Douglas Wilson, and my beautiful children, Katherine and Alexander Wilson

To my parents, Kathleen and John Canning, the best teachers, mentors, and administrators I know

To my brothers, John and Greg, and my sisters, Kathleen and Maria

And to my best friends, Dr. Christine Coombe, Dr. Lisa Barlow, Dr. Leah Bornstein, Dr. Linda Day, Lucille Fox, Elaine Plumb, Mike Galliher, Ibrahim Ali, and Katey-Archey Kerwood

This book and its sister companion, Perfect Phrases for Classroom Teachers, should be the staple of every teacher and administrator training program. School districts should set aside professional-development funds to make sure that teachers and administrators learn the laws, follow the solid recommendations, and put the suggestions for sound practices into action. Often bad practices are passed down through old-boy networks that try to maintain archaic practices in a changed society. Todays administrators must be able to face the challenges facing them in a society that openly litigates and subjects them to new regulations and policies on a regular basis. As a successful whistle-blower on a public school district that violated the health, welfare, and safety of children, I know what is happening from the inside and have spoken up against the injustices found in public education. Many cover ups, scandals, and problems faced by districts are a result of malpractice. This book was written to educate administrators and educators on the laws, practices, and recommendations needed to protect their positions and the reputation of their school within the district. No longer can administrators close a blind eye, bully, or use intimidating practices because we live in a more transparent and global society. I wrote this book to help modern administrators learn how to take proactive measures to protect the children entrusted into their care and to better serve the district that employs them to take managerial charge of faculty, curriculum, policy, and procedures.

This book should serve as the practical, everyday guide for educators and administrators everywhere who want to be more effective, forward thinking, and on the cutting edge of their professional practice. May the examples cited in this book along with the phrases help you to become an even greater influence in the educational upbringing of all you come in contact with during your prosperous career.

I would like to acknowledge my professional colleagues Jodi Klein, Deb Zacarian, David Valade, Graciela Trilla, Betsy Tregar, Jude Travers, Helen Soranzo, Vula Roumis, Meg Palladino, Jennifer OBrien, Kara Mitchell, Paula Merchant, Kathy Lobo, Kellie Jones, Sara Hamerla, Melanie Grietzer, Diane Epstein, Joanne Fridley, Linda Foley-Vinay, Ann Feldman, Boni Ester Enquist, Robin Dowling Grant, Anne Dolan, Suzanne Coffin, Nancy Cloud, Lynn Bonesteel, Beth Benedict, Margaret Adams, Rob Vitello, Marnie Reed, Paul Abraham, Winifred Wood, and the members of MATSOL. I would like to thank my colleagues of Northern New England TESOL and their great leader, Beth Evans. Thanks to the great conference team that awarded me a position as the local chairperson for TESOL International, especially Melissa Latham, Diane Carter, Leslie Barrett, Lisa Dyson, and our local team leaders, whose invaluable help will never be forgotten.

Thanks also to the clients and educational consultants of New England Global Network LLC, in western Massachusetts, and to the Lanesborough School District and its miracle worker, Elizabeth Nichols. Thanks to the graduates of the class of 1987 of Saint Josephs High School and to my faux mother-in-law, Fran Tierney.

Thanks to those I have worked with in the MTA, NEA, DOD, DOT, Peace Corps, MCCC, the foreign-language department at Wilbraham High School in Ludlow, Massachusetts, and at West Virginia University, under the direction of Dr. Robert Elkins, Dr. Seyneave, Dr. Shlunk, Dr. Powers, and Dr. Fakri. A great thanks to my friends and supporters in the United Educators of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, as well as to the MCCCs Joe Rizzo, the BCCs Ellen Shanahan, and, of course, the MTAs Miles Stern.