Go See the Principal: True Tales from the School Trenches

by Gerry Brooks

Overview

From an elementary school principal and popular YouTube personality, inspiration and humor for educators to tackle the challenges they face day-in and day-out

Gerry Brooks is an elementary school principal turned YouTube celebrity who entertains K-12 teachers, administrators, and parents across the country. He tells jokes with the kind of mocking humor that gets a laugh, yet can be safely shared in school. After all, even great schools have bad days — when lesson plans fall through, disgruntled parents complain, kids throw temper tantrums because they have to use the same spoon for their applesauce and mashed potatoes, and of course, dealing with...The Horror! The Horror!...dreaded assessments. Ranging from practical topics like social media use in the class­room and parent-teacher conferences to more lighthearted sections such as "Pickup and Dropoff: An Exercise in Humanity" and "School Supplies: Yes, We Really Need All That Stuff," Go See the Principal offers comic relief, inspiration, and advice to those who need it the most.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780738285061
Publisher:	Grand Central Publishing
Publication date:	04/30/2019
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.20(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Gerry Brooks is an elementary school principal in Lexington, Kentucky. His educational experience includes six years in the classroom, two years as an intervention specialist and twelve years as an administrator. He is also an accomplished public speaker on the topic of encouraging, motivating, and inspiring teachers. His work focuses on encouraging and helping teachers improve their instructional abilities and helping administrators successfully lead their staff.

Table of Contents

Introduction: A Note from the Principals Desk xi

Part 1 Before the Bell Rings: Seeing Up Teachers, Parents, and Administrators for a Great Year

1 "But I Done Want to Go Back to School!" Principal Tips for Motivating and Bonding Your Team 3

2 Classroom Placement: The Methods to Our Madness 6

3 School Supplies: Yes, We Really Need All That Stuff 10

4 Age-Appropriate Behavior: Finding Your Perfect Grade 13

5 Busing: How Parents, Teachers, and Administrators Can Keep Those Wheels Going 'Round 17

Part 2 Class Is in Session: How Administrators and Parents Con Let Teachers Teach

6 First Day of School: Lights, Cameras (So Many Cameras), Action! 25

7 Curriculum: Putting the "Can" in "Canned" 30

8 Assessments: A Necessary Evil, or So I Am Told 34

9 School Rankings: Look Beyond the Grade 41

Part 3 Meals, Snacks, and Other "Derlicious" Things

10 Lunchtime: Don't Bring Me No Lunchable to Open, Just Don't 47

11 Allergies: Don't Let a Kid Go to the Hospital Because You Couldn't Come Up with a Peanut-Free Meal for Your Child 57

Part 4 Specials: Other Ways Kids Learn

12 Social Workers: Why Children and Parents Need Them More Than Ever 63

13 Social-Emotional Learning: Positive Culture Starts with the Grown-ups 69

14 Reading Intervention: Catching Kids Early to Set Them Up for Later Success 76

15 Technology and Social Media: A Double-Edged Sword 80

16 Gifted and Talented Programs: Be Careful What You Wish For, Parents 86

17 Body Growth and Development and School: When Private Parts Become Public 89

Part 5 The Principal's Office: What Makes It Run and What Drives Us Crazy

18 The Principal Is Your Pal: Or Should Be, Anyway 95

19 School Office: The Brains of the Operation 99

20 The School Nurse: Administrating Band-Aids and Eyerolls 103

21 Professional Development: Teaching Teachers for as Long as Their Attention Spans Will Allow 109

Part 6 Notes Home: Strengthening the Parent/Teacher Connection

22 A Two-Way Street: How Parents and Teachers Can Better Communicate on an Ongoing Basis 117

23 Parent-Teacher Conferences: Some Basic Rules 123

24 Report Cards: Only Part of the Bigger Picture 126

Part 7 Extracurriculars: Fun at School

25 Sports: They're Great (but Not That Great) 131

26 Holiday Parties: It's the Most Exhausting Time of the Year 134

27 Gifts: Never Necessary, Always Appreciated 137

28 Goodie Table Day: Christmas for the Principal 142

Part 8 Code of Conduct-for Grownups

29 When Teachers Are Off the Clock; Somebody's Always Watching 147

30 Cliques, Drama, and Temper Tantrums: Parent-Teacher Associations 151

31 Pickup and Drop-off: An Exercise in Humanity 154

32 Summer Break: For Some People, Anyway 158

Part 9 Extra Credit: Lessons for Life and School

33 Dismissal: Final Thoughts from the Principal 163

Glossary 165

Answer Key: Teachers Teaching Teachers 167