CAN 
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The Principal’s Handbook for Priority Schools in a PLC at Work®
Lead your priority school to success with practical strategies for building a strong school culture, managing conflict, mastering communication, and implementing effective change. Principals who pick up this book will gain essential skills in time management, delegation, and social media navigation.
Benefits
- Champion changes that challenge and weed out ineffective practices.
- Foster a positive culture built on active teamwork and a common vision.
- Acquire valuable skills to navigate difficult conversations and scenarios as principals.
- Empower colleagues as team contributors through the delegation of leadership tasks.
- Promote transparent communication to build trust among school and community leaders.
- Prepare for engaging in difficult conversations with staff or stakeholders.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
Chapter 1: Leadership for PLCs in Priority Schools
Chapter 2: Positive Work Culture
Chapter 3: Hard Conversations
Chapter 4: Visibility and Communication
Chapter 5: Time Management and Prioritization
Chapter 6: Delegation and Monitoring
Chapter 7: Culturally Sensitive Events and Traditions
Chapter 8: Social Media
Chapter 9: Reflection
Epilogue: Purpose Will Bring You Full Circle
Appendix: Personalized Principal’s Calendar
REPRODUCIBLES
Chapter 1: Leadership for PLCs in Priority Schools
- Figure 1.1: Leading the Right Work
- Figure 1.10: Ten-Day Learning Cycle Checklist
- Figure 1.12: Data-Analysis Protocol
- Figure 1.13: Reflection Tool for All Staff
Chapter 2: Positive Work Culture
Chapter 3: Hard Conversations
- Figure 3.1: Collaborative Team Agenda Example
- Figure 3.2: Data-Analysis Protocol
- Figure 3.3: Collaborative Tasks and Products
- Figure 3.4: SMART Goal Template
- Figure 3.5: Letter for a Plan of Improvement
- Figure 3.6: Educator Improvement Plan Template
Chapter 5: Time Management and Prioritization
Chapter 6: Delegation and Monitoring
- Figure 6.1: Tool to Monitor Loose and Tight Leadership
- Figure 6.2: Reflection on Loose and Tight PLC Leadership
- Figure 6.3: Loose Versus Tight Decisions
Chapter 7: Culturally Sensitive Events and Traditions
- Figure 7.1: Reviewing Policies and Practices
- Figure 7.2: Building Consensus Around Difficult Decisions
Appendix: Personalized Principal’s Calendar
SUGGESTED RESOURCES
Books
- Bailey, K., Jakicic, C., & Spiller, J. (2014). Collaborating for success with the Common Core: A toolkit for Professional Learning Communities at Work. Solution Tree Press.
- Buffum, A., & Mattos, M. (2020). RTI at Work plan book. Solution Tree Press.
- Conzemius, A. E., & O’Neill, J. (2014). The handbook for SMART school teams: Revitalizing best practices for collaboration (2nd ed.). Solution Tree Press.
- Dolan, R. (2022). All other duties as assigned: The assistant principal’s critical role in supporting schools inside and out. Solution Tree Press.
- Dougherty, C., & Reason, C. (2019). Inside PLCs at Work: Your guided tour through one district’s successes, challenges, and celebrations. Solution Tree Press.
- DuFour, R., DuFour, R., Eaker, R., & Many, T. (2010). Learning by doing: A handbook for Professional Learning Communities at Work (2nd ed.). Solution Tree Press.
- DuFour, R., DuFour, R., Eaker, R., Many, T., & Mattos, M. (2016). Learning by doing: A handbook for Professional Learning Communities at Work (3rd ed.). Solution Tree Press.
- DuFour, R., DuFour, R., Eaker, R., Many, T., Mattos, M., & Muhammad, A. (2024). Learning by doing: A handbook for Professional Learning Communities at Work (4th ed.). Solution Tree Press.
- DuFour, R., & Eaker, R. (1998). Professional Learning Communities at Work: Best practices for enhancing student achievement. Solution Tree Press.
- Eaker, R., DuFour, R., & DuFour, R. (2002). Getting started: Reculturing schools to become professional learning communities. Solution Tree Press.
- Eaker R., Hagadone, M. Keating, J., & Rhoades, M. (2021). Leading PLCs at Work districtwide: From boardroom to classroom. Solution Tree Press.
- Ferriter, W. M. (2020). The big book of tools for collaborative teams in a PLC at Work. Solution Tree Press.
- Ferriter, W. M., Mattos, M., & Meyer, R. M. (2025). The big book of tools for RTI at Work. Solution Tree Press.
- Kise, J. A. G., & Russell, B. (2010). Creating a coaching culture for professional learning communities. Solution Tree Press.
- Kramer, S. V. (Ed.). (2021). Charting the course for leaders: Lessons from priority schools in a PLC at Work. Solution Tree Press.
- Kramer, S., & Schuhl, S. (2017). School improvement for all: A how-to guide for doing the right work. Solution Tree Press.
- Kramer, S. V., & Schuhl, S. (2023). Acceleration for all: A how-to guide for overcoming learning gaps. Solution Tree Press.
- Many, T. W., Maffoni, M. J., Sparks, S. K., & Thomas, T. F. (2022). Energize your teams: Powerful tools for coaching collaborative teams in PLCs at Work. Solution Tree Press.
- Mattos, M., Buffum, A., Malone, J., Cruz, L. F., Dimich, N., & Schuhl, S. (2025). Taking action: A handbook for RTI at Work (2nd ed.). Solution Tree Press.
- McTighe, J., & Curtis, G. (2019). Leading modern learning: A blueprint for vision-driven schools (2nd ed.). Solution Tree Press.
- Muhammad, A. (2009). Transforming school culture: How to overcome staff division. Solution Tree Press.
- Muhammad, A. (2018). Transforming school culture: How to overcome staff division (2nd ed.). Solution Tree Press
- Muhammad, A. (2024). The way forward: PLC at Work and the bright future of education. Solution Tree Press.
- Muhammad, A., & Cruz, L. F. (2019). Time for change: Four essential skills for transformational school and district leaders. Solution Tree Press.
- Muhammad, A., & Hollie, S. (2011). The will to lead, skill to teach: Transforming schools at every level. Solution Tree Press.
- Nicolas, R. (2021). Monitoring productivity instead of activity. In S. V. Kramer (Ed.), Charting the course for leaders: Lessons from priority schools in a PLC at Work (pp. 147–161). Solution Tree Press.
- Power, K. (2021). Leading school-improvement work with intention. In S. V. Kramer (Ed.), Charting the course for leaders: Lessons from priority schools in a PLC at Work (pp. 11–26). Solution Tree Press.
- Sanders, T. (2021). Taking the first five steps in high school improvement. In S. V. Kramer (Ed.), Charting the course for leaders: Lessons from priority schools in a PLC at Work (pp. 213–228). Solution Tree Press.
- Spiller, J., & Power, K. (2019). Leading with intention: Eight areas for reflection and planning in your PLC at Work. Solution Tree Press.
Websites
Chapter 1
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
