Accreditation a Hands on Approach for Principals

By Dr. Thomas Whittle

Leadership is an art form that has been practiced since the beginning of time, however it is not an exact science in which any person with a certain amount of education and some type of a checklist can guarantee student academic success. The highly recommended solutions from great educational leaders of yesterday (such as Plato, Aristotle, Jefferson, Washington, and Socrates) do not work in all situations. These successful leaders did not just lead their followers; they taught them various leadership principles for given situations. Successful principals learn through experiences what works in a particular situation and what does not work. Remember, one can learn from a failure as well as through accomplishment. Each time you fail, it provides you with the opportunity to learn and be successful.

Building principals who have mastered the art of leadership do not rely on trial and error. This Hands-On Approach for Principals provides a small resource for continuous improvement in the art of building-level leadership. The small summary of my experiences may serve as a springboard for each principal’s self-awareness and discovery.

This resource will assist you with the analysis of leadership situations in your building and in systematically choosing a leadership style which best fits the situation (Reflective, Relational, Collaborative, Communicative or Visionary). When you have developed an understanding of these various techniques, situations will dictate the application of each technique. You will make better decisions and that will lead to a motivated faculty and student body. This gives you a much greater chance of leading your building to student academic success.

Leadership is about change; embedded in your leadership is the hope of the students. You are standing on the shoulders of great educational leaders of yesterday, looking into the future, and seeing possibilities. Face change with a smile; embrace change with determination unseen by those around you. I believe it was Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King who said, “The best leaders are determined, bold, and reject inhibitors imposed by old traditions and habits.” Moving your school to full accreditation will not be easy; your goals must be clearly stated. Remember, the simplest approach will prove to be the most effective. Respect all points of view and do not set your standards too low. Find one thing in your school where all stakeholders, even the extremists, can visualize the school climate and culture better because of its success. The goal of this book is to aid you in your attempt to accreditate your school. Do not allow misguided teachers the opportunity to rob students of their academic successes and joy at the completion of your mission.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Nov 2, 2021
• ISBN: 9781663230768

Dr. Thomas Whittle

Dr. Thomas Whittle was born in Mecklenburg County, Virginia in January 1948. He graduated from East End High School in South Hill, VA in 1966, and from the University of Maryland University College at College Park with a Bachelor of Science in Business and Management in June 1992. He received his Master of Education degree from Virginia State University at Petersburg, VA in December 1996; he received his Master’s in Divinity from Virginia Union University Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology, May 2002, and he received his Doctor of Education degree in May 2011, also from Virginia State University. Dr. Whittle’s dissertation topic: The Impact of Student Participation in Extra Curricular Activities on Academic Achievement.

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ISBN: 978-1-6632-3075-1 (sc)

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Library of Congress Control Number: 2021922310

iUniverse rev. date: 10/29/2021

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Accreditation:

A Hands-On Approach for Principals

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Dr. Thomas Whittle, Sergeant Major Retired

Biography

Dr. Thomas Whittle was born in Mecklenburg County, Virginia in January 1948. He graduated from East End High School in South Hill, VA in 1966, and from the University of Maryland University College at College Park with a Bachelor of Science in Business and Management in June 1992. He received his Master of Education degree from Virginia State University at Petersburg, VA in December 1996; he received his Master’s in Divinity from Virginia Union University Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology, May 2002, and he received his Doctor of Education degree in May 2011, also from Virginia State University. Dr. Whittle’s dissertation topic: The Impact of Student Participation in Extra Curricular Activities on Academic Achievement.

After high school, Dr. Whittle joined the United States Army, he rose through the enlisted ranks to reach the top rank of Sergeant Major (SGM) and retired after 26 years of active service. He served three tours of duty in the Republic of Vietnam where he earned the Silver Star for heroism, two Purple Heart Medals, four Bronze Stars for Meritorious service, and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge (CIB). He served sixteen years in Germany as a tank commander, platoon sergeant, first sergeant, battalion master gunner, division master gunner, USAEUR master gunner, and G3 sergeants major for 8th ID, and CSM of 1/9 Air Calvary Squadron Fort Lewis Washington. Upon retiring, Dr. Whittle entered the field of education as a teacher of mathematics in Nottoway, VA; he later became principal of Nottoway Middle School, Nottoway High School, John F. Kennedy High School in Richmond VA, Petersburg High School in Petersburg, VA, HD Woodson (STEM) High School in Washington DC, and Antilles High School in Puerto Rico. He is also the author of Accreditation a Hands-on Approach for Principals (2007), presented at the national High Schools That Work (HSTW) conference in Nashville Tennessee on the topic: The use of classroom student performance data to improve teacher instructional practices. Dr. Thomas Whittle is also DoDEA’s Secondary Principal of the year for 2018.

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to my family. My parents, Conrad L., and Nancy Louise Whittle, who supported me in my youth, instilled in me the value of education, and made me the person I am today. My late brother, Reverend Conrad Odell Whittle, who motivated, encouraged, and taught me the value of demanding work. Kristina, my Wife who is a skilled educator and accompanied me through the writing process. A special debt of gratitude is extended to my oldest daughter, Tomalyn, who was a student and graduated seventh in her class at Nottoway High School where I served as principal.

Finally, to the faculty of Antilles High School in Puerto Rico, Dr. Reginald Edwards, Ms. Erin Crossan, Ms. Leilan Hamm, and Ms. Joi Gause Assistant Principal Fort Campbell High School for their support. I would like to thank the faculties and staffs of Nottoway High and Nottoway Middle schools of Nottoway, Virginia, John F. Kennedy High School of Richmond, Virginia; King George Middle School of King George, Virginia; and Petersburg High School of Petersburg, Virginia, and Antilles High School Puerto Rico, for their patience, kindness, and encouragement. My thanks go to my cohort members and Dr. Richardson, Dr. Jones, Dr. Griffin, Dr. Osa, and Dr. Norman, who encouraged me to author this book. I appreciate all the guidance and recommendations from those who worked closely with me in my literary effort.

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank the faculties and staffs of Nottoway High and Nottoway Middle schools of Nottoway, Virginia; John F. Kennedy High School of Richmond, Virginia; King George Middle School of King George, Virginia; and Petersburg High School of Petersburg, Virginia, and Antilles High School Puerto Rico for their patience, kindness, and encouragement. My thanks go to my cohort members and professors Dr. Richardson, Dr. Jones, Dr. Griffin, Dr. Osa, and Dr. Norman, who served as my dissertation committee and encouraged me to author this book.

The School Principal and Accreditation

School Improvement: An Ongoing Process

CONTENTS

About the Author

DEDICATION

Acknowledgements

Preface: To the Educational Leaders at Building Level

Introduction: The School Board Meeting

Chapter 1     PROBLEM SOLVING PROCESS: A STRATEGY FOR SUCCESS

Chapter 2     THE SECRET OF GOOD ORDER AND DISCIPLINE IN SCHOOLS

Chapter 3     BENCHMARK TESTS AND WHY THEY