Messaging Matters: How School Leaders Can Inspire Teachers, Motivate Students, and Reach Communities - Softcover

William D. Parker

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1945349093 ISBN 13: 9781945349096

Publisher: Solution Tree Press, 2017

Synopsis

Harness the power of messaging to create a positive school culture and increase school and community collaboration. Written for school leaders, this title is divided into three parts. Each part helps readers to maximize their role as chief communicators with different stakeholders: students, teachers, and parents and community. Each chapter includes suggestions for using digital tools to enhance communication and ends with reflection questions and practical next steps.

How this book will help you foster school community and improve your communication strategy:

• Comprehend the power of messaging and public relations in school.
• Gain tips for how to best use available technology tools, including online platforms, for messaging purposes.
• Inspect scenarios and real anecdotes that show communication strategies and messaging tactics in action in schools.
• Learn how to implement positive communication with parents and students from the start of the school year.
• Explore special strategies for communicating with challenging students or in difficult school climates.

Contents:
Introduction: Why Messaging Matters
Chapter 1: Building a Positive Culture for Messaging
Chapter 2: Cultivating a Positive Message With Teachers
Chapter 3: Using Technology to Message With Teachers
Chapter 4: Cultivating a Positive Message With Students
Chapter 5: Using Technology to Message With Students
Chapter 6: Cultivating a Positive Message With the Community, Parents, and Beyond
Chapter 7: Using Technology to Message With the Community, Parents, and Beyond
Epilogue
References and Resources
Index

About this title

About the Author:

William D. Parker is principal of Skiatook High School, just north of Tulsa, Oklahoma. As a high school teacher, he taught language arts, creative writing, and Advanced Placement English. He has also taught writing in summer student academies through Oklahoma State University's College of Osteopathic Medicine, and he has taught adult education courses through Tulsa Technology Center.

An Oklahoma educator since 1993, he was named Broken Arrow Public Schools' South Intermediate High School Teacher of the Year in 1998. He became an assistant principal in 2004. A member of the National Association of Secondary Principals, Parker was named the 2011 Oklahoma Assistant Principal of the Year. As principal of a Title I school, his school's innovative approaches to collaboration, remediation, and mentoring have resulted in marked improvements in student performance. He is regularly asked to speak to principal associations, school leadership conferences, and graduate classes regarding effective leadership practices, organizational behavior, and digital tools for enhancing school communication.

Parker hosts a weekly podcast called Principal Matters and writes a weekly blog that he shares on his website, williamdparker.com. He is also a contributing author on ConnectedPrincipals.com and a guest blogger for the National Association of Secondary Principals. Most recently, he has been hosting monthly webinars so that his state's principal association members can connect and share innovative ideas for growing in school leadership.

Mr. Parker earned his bachelor's degree in English education from Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and his master's degree in education leadership from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.

Review:

"Will Parker makes a powerful case for school efficacy. He highlights the power of messaging, self-determination, and the need to cultivate a positive culture for a school's most important stakeholders. After reading this book, you will feel enlightened, energized, and empowered."

--Anthony Muhammad, educational consultant and author

"This book is a practical how-to guide with immediately implementable ideas and practices."

--Laura Jennaro, principal, Milton Middle School, Wisconsin

"By explaining what to do and how to do it, Messaging Matters becomes an important manual for school leaders to sharpen and extend their communication skills."

--Josh Arnold, seventh-grade civics teacher, Walker Middle Magnet School, Florida

"I agree with Parker: Messaging matters. As a leader, if you want to turn your community members into 'raving fans' of your school's success, you need to control the narrative. What you focus on will become your reality. Spend time with teachers and students in their learning environment, and you will be rewarded with good news to share with others about your school community."

--Payton Hobbs, head of lower school at Ravenscroft School, North Carolina

"If you are an educator, then this book is a must-read! Messaging Matters provides practical notions and step-by-step models to strengthen communication and build a positive culture with your students, parents, and community. And you can implement them almost immediately."

--Wendy Adams, professional school counselor, Texas, for Middleweb

About this edition

• Publisher: Solution Tree Press
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 1945349093
• ISBN 13: 9781945349096
• Binding: Perfect Paperback
• Number of pages: 176