Principals - Why this workshop is important

PRINCIPALS
"Winning Teachers Over to Your Side"
Transforming Your School with Teacher Support

Why This Workshop is Important

The school building principalship can be a lonely job if teachers are not supportive of you and/or passive participants in the school’s culture. Your personal leadership initiatives can change that culture - inspiring teacher support of you and their involvement in the school culture.

The ability of the principal to see one’s self, as others perceive you, is essential to generating personal support and success. This workshop provides the participant with self-analysis criteria based upon effective leadership skills and values (such as visibility, integrity and trust in others), combined with the technical skills (such as influence and persuasion).

This workshop will focus on:

examining the behaviors that engender personal support;

correcting mistakes made when "managing by walking about;"

exposing why teachers don’t trust administrators;

making time spent at extra curricular and community events worthwhile;

using influence and persuasion to gather support;

generating a higher level of personal satisfaction with one’s performance;

improving building culture and organizational success.

Workshop Faculty

James Mills, Ph.D., Superintendent of Schools

Dr. Mills is one of the most dynamic, authoritative, provocative and animated presenters regarding issues of school leadership. He has developed a profoundly practical body of knowledge through years of experience, and shares it with his audiences in a way that makes it immediately relevant. He has presented on topics such as "Influence and Persuasion," "Seven Steps to Credibility," "Living with Your Superintendent," and "Leadership in an Age of Standards." Dr. Mills’ background includes thirteen years as a high school principal, and sixteen years as a school superintendent. He is currently the superintendent of the Newfane Central School District. Jim is currently an adjunct professor at Niagara University where he teaches advanced graduate level courses to post-masters students. He has led superintendent seminars at Harvard University. Dr. Mills is a past President of the New York State Council of School Superintendents and is currently the Chairman of the Council’s Distinguished Service Committee.

Workshop Administrator

James M. Merrins, Ed.D., Executive Program Administrator

Dr. Merrins is Executive Program Administrator for the Greater Southern Tier BOCES. He administers the statewide Superintendent Development Program, and workshops for superintendents and senior school administrators, including Fiscal Navigation for Superintendents, Everything is Negotiable, Total Executive School Leadership, and Tenure: Developing a Culture of Quality and Accountability. He has sixteen years experience as Superintendent of Schools, twelve in the Fredonia Central Schools and four years as Superintendent and Business Administrator in Honeoye Central Schools. He is New York State certified as a School District Administrator (SDA) and School Business Administrator (SBA), and has taught school finance and school law at SUNY colleges.

Workshop Cosponsors

Oswego State University
Department of Educational Administration
Greater Southern Tier BOCES (LEA)
Superintendent Support Services
Anthony Micha, District Superintendent