J. Michael Wilhelm

A Fork in the Road (eBook, ePUB)

Narrative Problem Solving for School Leaders

• Format: ePub

Produktbeschreibung

A Fork in the Road presents the narrative approach to problem solving often employed by mediators and therapists as lens through which school system leaders can view the component parts of the difficult issues they face to better define and resolve them. Narrative problem solving is based on the precept that humans construct an understanding of their problems from the stories they hear and tell about those problems. Therapists and mediators deliberately mine these narratives to understand the origin, nature, and the extent of their client's problem, and to reveal the alternative storylines and possible resolutions embedded in those stories. This same approach can allow board members, practicing and aspiring superintendents and other school administrators to view an institutional problem from a distance and learn the differing perspectives of those involved and affected to better under the problem's reach and risks, and explore possible solutions. The book provides an explanation of narrative problem solving and a series of essential questions to guide the reader through the process. It offers twelve stories in narrative form that invite the reader to explore institutional challenges through the narrative lens. An analysis of each story explores the possible path to resolution embedded in the stories.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: Bloomsbury eBooks US
• Seitenzahl: 150
• Erscheinungstermin: 2. November 2018
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 9781475846331
• Artikelnr.: 56830762

Autorenporträt

By J. Michael Wilhelm

Inhaltsangabe

Preface Acknowledgements Introduction Narrative Problem Solving Chapter 1:
"The Petition" - A superintendent is confronted by his new board chair who
has demands for systemic change. Chapter 2: "A Christmas Story" - A school
board and its new chair are confronted with opposition to a change in
holiday policy. Chapter 3: "The Drive to the Small School" - A
superintendent must address a hostile work environment in an elementary
school. Chapter 4: "The School is the Community" - An attempt to close a
school meets with resistance. Chapter 5: "If I Had My Way" - A new
superintendent is confronted by an angry teacher who wants his coaching
position restored. Chapter 6: "The Parent's Voice" - A principal and
superintendent must respond to a situation created by a special education
student whose behaviors disrupt the school. Chapter 7: "This Whole Thing" -
A superintendent is faced with problems revealed by the annual audit.
Chapter 8: "I'll Help If I Can" - A new principal must address school
culture issues originating from administrative and school board decisions
made years before. Chapter 9: "This Is Crazy" - A superintendent responds
to a teacher's accidental intranet transmission within a middle school.
Chapter 10: "The Accident" - A superintendent's decision to retain a school
bus driver after an accident resurfaces years later during budget
preparations. Chapter 11: "Take a Break" - A superintendent struggles to
mediate a conflict between a high school principal and a department head
that has disabled their professional relationship. Chapter 12: "The Open
Door" - A superintendent finds that his behavior has made him vulnerable to
a complaint by a new employee. Analysis References