Remembering What's Important

Charles A. Bonnici has been an educator for forty years, serving as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal in the New York City public school system. For the past ten years, as an adjunct professor at Pace University, he has developed and taught three educational leadership courses for students seeking their state certification.

• Chapter 1 Foreword Chapter 2 Preface Chapter 3 Table of Contents Chapter 4 Introduction Chapter 5 Chapter 1: Surviving Chapter 6 Chapter 2: Improving Instruction: Guidelines for the Observation Process Chapter 7 Chapter 3: Improving Instruction: Alternative Observations and Other Practices Chapter 8 Chapter 4: Hiring New Staff Chapter 9 Chapter 5: Training and Retaining New Teachers: The Critical First Week Chapter 10 Chapter 6: Training and Retaining New Teachers: The Fall Semester Chapter 11 Chapter 7: Training and Retaining New Teachers: The Spring Semester Chapter 12 Chapter 8: Creating a Positive School Ambience: Respect, Instruction, Welcome Chapter 13 Chapter 9: Creating a Positive School Ambience: Support Services, Parental Involvement, Staff Development, Punitive Measures Chapter 14 Chapter 10: Establishing Formal and Informal Systems for Creating a Positive School Ambience Chapter 15 Chapter 11: Working with the Custodian and Physical Plant Chapter 16 Chapter 12: Dealing with the Larger Context: The School District, Media, Advisory Boards and Celebrities Chapter 17 Chapter 13 Dealing with the Larger Context: Politics, Parents and Panaceas Chapter 18 Chapter 14: Passing the Baton Chapter 19 Appendices Chapter 20 Appendix A: Standard Answer Sheet Chapter 21 Appendix B: Proctoring Standardized Examinations Chapter 22 Appendix F: Auditorium Murals Chapter 23 Acknowledgments

In Remembering What’s Important: Priorities of School Leadership, author Charles A. Bonnici wastes not time. He hits hard the 'eight key areas' as principals and other leaders pursue a career: living and progressing from being neophytes to experienced school administrators. He reveals leadership 'survival strategies' for hiring and nurturing new teachers; building the school culture; managing the school; and working in the larger social environment with parents, community leaders, and the media. Finally, Charles Bonnici looks at 'passing the baton' to the next generation—making the book important for succeeding as principals move from beginners to educational veterans—in the exciting, challenging, rewarding world of school leadership and improvement!