In this episode we’re talking with Professor, national presenter, former principal and Author, Dr. Capelluti, Dr. Capelluti is the author of literally dozens and dozens of scholarly articles and of the book we're going to talk about today, The Savvy Principal: What Streetwise Principals Know.

From dreams of professional baseball and a school counselor's inventory report which suggested he join the clergy or be a mortician to a principal, speaker, author and professor in this episode we go on the educational journey of Dr. Jody Capelluti. We touch on that journey as well his book The Savvy Principal: What Streetwise Principals Know. In this conversation he provides valuable advice on what it takes to be a good principal.

Three of the main pieces of advice were:

Establish credibility

Everyone matters

Engage in Collaborative Decision Making

Find a district that matches your values

He also gives some insight into rapidly changing a school which included make sure you have a good rationale for the changes you’re making and have the data to support that rationale. Not only does he talk about strategies for changing school outcomes but he also gives some ideas for using staff differently so you get the best out of them.

As we get into a discussion about his book he provides some does and don’t on the whys and how of getting it published. As well as a numerous tips to think about as you organize and structure your school.

Tweetable Quotes:

“In a school nobody is more important than anybody else. We just have different jobs.” Dr. Jody Capelluti

“New principals have to overcome the confidence factor.” Dr. Jody Capelluti

“Your best employees want a say in significant decisions.” Dr. Jody Capelluti

“A principal has to filter out what’s real and what isn’t real what’s enforceable and what isn’t enforceable.” Dr. Jody Capelluti

“If you work together there’s a lot more bright people than just one person and a smart principal realizes that.” Dr. Jody Capelluti

“Don’t work for a superintendent who is way out of shape or has no out of school activities. If they’re not going to take care of themselves they’re not going to take care of you.” Dr. Jody Capelluti

“Communities are going to get what they want. They’re not going to change based on what you want.” Dr. Jody Capelluti

“The lack of definition in school policies (with regards to communicating with student families) is killing the balance between work and family.” Dr. Jody Capelutti

“If you’re at home doing emails on Sunday then something’s wrong” Dr. Jody Capelluti

Words of Wisdom for New(ish) Principals

Pick the right position.

Have the skills to stay at it

Principals are the key for teachers, students and schools to be successful

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If you’re a principal make sure you check out the new grant/scholarship available that honors the hard work you put in on a daily basis. K12 principals click here to learn more

For more short articles and tips that support educational leaders check out my blog at the http://www.theprincipalentrepreneur.com/ and/or pre order my newest book How To Be A Great Principal: 36 Shared Leadership Success Strategies. If you’re an auditory learner you can download my podcast The Principal Entrepreneur, new episodes weekly. To join the podcast as a guest email me at [email protected]. Finally, I’m part of a community of supportive principals please join our private FB group.