Principal Mentoring

A Safe, Simple, and Supportive Approach
Carl J. Weingartner
Principal Mentoring
December 2008 | 128 pages | Corwin
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ISBN: 9781452296050
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ISBN: 9781412965972
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Description

"Weingartner practices what he preaches. He shares lessons learned from his many years of running one of the most successful principal mentoring programs in the nation. His practical and straightforward approach is grounded in the day-to-day realities and exigencies of the school principal."
—Lois J. Zachary, President
Leadership Development Services

Develop a principal mentoring program that produces effective leaders and high retention rates!

Responding to a critical shortage of school leaders, this timely and invaluable resource offers a mentoring approach that supports new principals' professional development while helping reduce the stress-and-burnout pattern that is common for many school administrators.

Based on years of successful experience, Carl J. Weingartner shows school and district leaders how to design a sustainable, adaptable principal mentoring program for urban, suburban, and rural schools—without a lot of extra costs, paperwork, or time. This book offers guidelines for recruiting, supporting, and retaining effective principals and methods for helping novice principals achieve success in areas such as improving curriculum and student achievement. The book also covers:

  • Developing supportive mentoring relationships
  • Assisting new administrators with individual professional growth plans
  • Advising on district mandates, operational/funding issues, and standards
  • Fostering effective time management, communication, and self-evaluation skills

Offering a total support system for new principals, this mentoring guide provides a proven road map for a principal mentoring plan that builds strong schoolwide leadership.

Contents

Foreword by John C. Daresh

Foreword by John C. Daresh

Preface

Preface

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

About the Author

About the Author

Introduction

  • 1. Advocating for the Beginning Principal
  • Why Mentoring in Our District?
  • The Anatomy of a Beginning Principal
  • Professional Organizations
  • Scenario: Sharing the Wealth
  • Key Points
  • Recommended Reading
  • 2. The Beginning of a Mentor Program
  • APS District Demographics
  • The Birth of the Albuquerque Mentor Program
  • Budget Justification
  • Selecting a Coordinator
  • Key Points
  • Recommended Readings
  • 3. A Work in Process
  • The First Stages of Development
  • Vision and Mission Statements
  • Program Guidelines
  • Job Descriptions
  • Program Process
  • A Total Support System for New Principals
  • Key Points
  • Recommended Readings
  • 4. Program Implementation
  • Step 1. The Process Begins
  • Step 2. The Initial Coordinator-Mentee Meeting
  • Step 3. Conferring With the Mentor
  • Step 4. The Planning Session
  • Step 5. The Other 5 Percent
  • Key Points
  • Recommended Readings
  • 5. Simple Program Enhancements Make a Difference
  • Congratulate
  • Celebrate
  • Communicate
  • Appreciate
  • The Morale Factor
  • Scenarios: Extra Support for Supporters
  • Key Points
  • Recommended Readings
  • 6. Applying the Mentoring Concept to Small School Districts
  • Organize a Study Committee
  • Purpose of the Study Committee
  • Scenario: A Simple Form of Mentoring
  • Key Points
  • Recommended Reading
  • 7. The Accountability Factor
  • End-of-the-Year Evaluations
  • Alternative Assessments
  • Program Evaluations
  • ESP Ten-Year Program Assessment (1995-2005)
  • Key Points
  • Recommended Readings
  • 8. The Art of Mentoring the Beginning Principal
  • Concepts for Effective Mentoring
  • Establishing the Mentor Pool
  • Suggestions for Mentors Working With Mentees
  • Mentoring Versus Coaching
  • A Coaching Concept
  • Simplicity
  • Level-to-Level Mentoring
  • Communicate, Communicate, Communicate
  • Scenario: A Mentor's Wisdom
  • Key Points
  • Recommended Readings
  • 9. Finding Time to Become an Instructional Leader
  • It's a Matter of Time
  • Time Management Suggestions
  • The Importance of Strong Instructional Leadership
  • Demographic Data for Instructional Implementation
  • The Evaluation Process
  • Scenario: Reciprocal Mentoring
  • Key Points
  • References and Recommended Readings
  • 10. Caution, Pitfalls Ahead!
  • It's About Time
  • The Funding Dilemma
  • Plan, Plan, Plan
  • Do Not Take Stress and Burnout Lightly
  • Scenario: A Heavy Load
  • Superintendents and Upper-Level Administration
  • Scenario: Solve the Problem
  • Key Points
  • References and Recommended Readings
  • 11. Reflections

References

References

Index

  • Foreword

Additional materials

Description

"Weingartner practices what he preaches. He shares lessons learned from his many years of running one of the most successful principal mentoring programs in the nation. His practical and straightforward approach is grounded in the day-to-day realities and exigencies of the school principal."
—Lois J. Zachary, President
Leadership Development Services

Develop a principal mentoring program that produces effective leaders and high retention rates!

Responding to a critical shortage of school leaders, this timely and invaluable resource offers a mentoring approach that supports new principals' professional development while helping reduce the stress-and-burnout pattern that is common for many school administrators.

Based on years of successful experience, Carl J. Weingartner shows school and district leaders how to design a sustainable, adaptable principal mentoring program for urban, suburban, and rural schools—without a lot of extra costs, paperwork, or time. This book offers guidelines for recruiting, supporting, and retaining effective principals and methods for helping novice principals achieve success in areas such as improving curriculum and student achievement. The book also covers:

  • Developing supportive mentoring relationships
  • Assisting new administrators with individual professional growth plans
  • Advising on district mandates, operational/funding issues, and standards
  • Fostering effective time management, communication, and self-evaluation skills

Offering a total support system for new principals, this mentoring guide provides a proven road map for a principal mentoring plan that builds strong schoolwide leadership.

Contents

Foreword by John C. Daresh

Foreword by John C. Daresh

Preface

Preface

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

About the Author

About the Author

Introduction

  • 1. Advocating for the Beginning Principal
  • Why Mentoring in Our District?
  • The Anatomy of a Beginning Principal
  • Professional Organizations
  • Scenario: Sharing the Wealth
  • Key Points
  • Recommended Reading
  • 2. The Beginning of a Mentor Program
  • APS District Demographics
  • The Birth of the Albuquerque Mentor Program
  • Budget Justification
  • Selecting a Coordinator
  • Key Points
  • Recommended Readings
  • 3. A Work in Process
  • The First Stages of Development
  • Vision and Mission Statements
  • Program Guidelines
  • Job Descriptions
  • Program Process
  • A Total Support System for New Principals
  • Key Points
  • Recommended Readings
  • 4. Program Implementation
  • Step 1. The Process Begins
  • Step 2. The Initial Coordinator-Mentee Meeting
  • Step 3. Conferring With the Mentor
  • Step 4. The Planning Session
  • Step 5. The Other 5 Percent
  • Key Points
  • Recommended Readings
  • 5. Simple Program Enhancements Make a Difference
  • Congratulate
  • Celebrate
  • Communicate
  • Appreciate
  • The Morale Factor
  • Scenarios: Extra Support for Supporters
  • Key Points
  • Recommended Readings
  • 6. Applying the Mentoring Concept to Small School Districts
  • Organize a Study Committee
  • Purpose of the Study Committee
  • Scenario: A Simple Form of Mentoring
  • Key Points
  • Recommended Reading
  • 7. The Accountability Factor
  • End-of-the-Year Evaluations
  • Alternative Assessments
  • Program Evaluations
  • ESP Ten-Year Program Assessment (1995-2005)
  • Key Points
  • Recommended Readings
  • 8. The Art of Mentoring the Beginning Principal
  • Concepts for Effective Mentoring
  • Establishing the Mentor Pool
  • Suggestions for Mentors Working With Mentees
  • Mentoring Versus Coaching
  • A Coaching Concept
  • Simplicity
  • Level-to-Level Mentoring
  • Communicate, Communicate, Communicate
  • Scenario: A Mentor's Wisdom
  • Key Points
  • Recommended Readings
  • 9. Finding Time to Become an Instructional Leader
  • It's a Matter of Time
  • Time Management Suggestions
  • The Importance of Strong Instructional Leadership
  • Demographic Data for Instructional Implementation
  • The Evaluation Process
  • Scenario: Reciprocal Mentoring
  • Key Points
  • References and Recommended Readings
  • 10. Caution, Pitfalls Ahead!
  • It's About Time
  • The Funding Dilemma
  • Plan, Plan, Plan
  • Do Not Take Stress and Burnout Lightly
  • Scenario: A Heavy Load
  • Superintendents and Upper-Level Administration
  • Scenario: Solve the Problem
  • Key Points
  • References and Recommended Readings
  • 11. Reflections

References

References

Index

  • Foreword

Additional materials

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Principal Mentoring

A Safe, Simple, and Supportive Approach

Carl J. Weingartner
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December 2008 | 128 pages | Corwin

Format Published Date ISBN Price
Paperback 01/02/2026 9781412965972 $37.95
Hardcover 01/02/2026 9781412965965 $79.95
Lifetime 01/02/2026 9781452296050 $35.00

"Weingartner practices what he preaches. He shares lessons learned from his many years of running one of the most successful principal mentoring programs in the nation. His practical and straightforward approach is grounded in the day-to-day realities and exigencies of the school principal."
—Lois J. Zachary, President
Leadership Development Services

Develop a principal mentoring program that produces effective leaders and high retention rates!

Responding to a critical shortage of school leaders, this timely and invaluable resource offers a mentoring approach that supports new principals' professional development while helping reduce the stress-and-burnout pattern that is common for many school administrators.

Based on years of successful experience, Carl J. Weingartner shows school and district leaders how to design a sustainable, adaptable principal mentoring program for urban, suburban, and rural schools—without a lot of extra costs, paperwork, or time. This book offers guidelines for recruiting, supporting, and retaining effective principals and methods for helping novice principals achieve success in areas such as improving curriculum and student achievement. The book also covers:

  • Developing supportive mentoring relationships
  • Assisting new administrators with individual professional growth plans
  • Advising on district mandates, operational/funding issues, and standards
  • Fostering effective time management, communication, and self-evaluation skills

Offering a total support system for new principals, this mentoring guide provides a proven road map for a principal mentoring plan that builds strong schoolwide leadership.


Table Of Contents:

  • Foreword by John C. Daresh
  • Preface
  • Acknowledgments
  • About the Author
  • Introduction
  • 1. Advocating for the Beginning Principal
  • Why Mentoring in Our District?
  • The Anatomy of a Beginning Principal
  • Professional Organizations
  • Scenario: Sharing the Wealth
  • Key Points
  • Recommended Reading
  • 2. The Beginning of a Mentor Program
  • APS District Demographics
  • The Birth of the Albuquerque Mentor Program
  • Budget Justification
  • Selecting a Coordinator
  • Key Points
  • Recommended Readings
  • 3. A Work in Process
  • The First Stages of Development
  • Vision and Mission Statements
  • Program Guidelines
  • Job Descriptions
  • Program Process
  • A Total Support System for New Principals
  • Key Points
  • Recommended Readings
  • 4. Program Implementation
  • Step 1. The Process Begins
  • Step 2. The Initial Coordinator-Mentee Meeting
  • Step 3. Conferring With the Mentor
  • Step 4. The Planning Session
  • Step 5. The Other 5 Percent
  • Key Points
  • Recommended Readings
  • 5. Simple Program Enhancements Make a Difference
  • Congratulate
  • Celebrate
  • Communicate
  • Appreciate
  • The Morale Factor
  • Scenarios: Extra Support for Supporters
  • Key Points
  • Recommended Readings
  • 6. Applying the Mentoring Concept to Small School Districts
  • Organize a Study Committee
  • Purpose of the Study Committee
  • Scenario: A Simple Form of Mentoring
  • Key Points
  • Recommended Reading
  • 7. The Accountability Factor
  • End-of-the-Year Evaluations
  • Alternative Assessments
  • Program Evaluations
  • ESP Ten-Year Program Assessment (1995-2005)
  • Key Points
  • Recommended Readings
  • 8. The Art of Mentoring the Beginning Principal
  • Concepts for Effective Mentoring
  • Establishing the Mentor Pool
  • Suggestions for Mentors Working With Mentees
  • Mentoring Versus Coaching
  • A Coaching Concept
  • Simplicity
  • Level-to-Level Mentoring
  • Communicate, Communicate, Communicate
  • Scenario: A Mentor's Wisdom
  • Key Points
  • Recommended Readings
  • 9. Finding Time to Become an Instructional Leader
  • It's a Matter of Time
  • Time Management Suggestions
  • The Importance of Strong Instructional Leadership
  • Demographic Data for Instructional Implementation
  • The Evaluation Process
  • Scenario: Reciprocal Mentoring
  • Key Points
  • References and Recommended Readings
  • 10. Caution, Pitfalls Ahead!
  • It's About Time
  • The Funding Dilemma
  • Plan, Plan, Plan
  • Do Not Take Stress and Burnout Lightly
  • Scenario: A Heavy Load
  • Superintendents and Upper-Level Administration
  • Scenario: Solve the Problem
  • Key Points
  • References and Recommended Readings
  • 11. Reflections
  • References
  • Index
  • Foreword

Recent Product Reviews:

adopted the book - "The Portable Mentor" which was a better alignment"
Mr Jim Bagniewski, School Of Education, Viterbo University
"Carl Weingartner is one of the leaders in the field of mentoring programs for new principals. He shares his thinking about mentoring, materials he used in his program for over 10 years, and stories of mentoring that exemplify the ideas he discusses.”
Susan Villani, Senior Program/Research Associate, Learning Innovations at WestEd
"Weingartner practices what he preaches, and in this volume he shares lessons learned from his many years of running one of the most successful principal mentoring programs in the nation. His practical and straightforward approach is grounded in the day-to-day realities and exigencies of the school principal.”
Lois J. Zachary, President, Leadership Development Services
"Weingartner has been an outstanding professional for over 30 years, and he has done an exemplary job in developing and implementing this mentoring program. I would have liked to have had a program such as this in the beginning years of my experience as a principal."
John B. Mondragón, Professor Emeritus, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque
"Provides a rich description of the ins and outs of developing, delivering, and monitoring mentoring programs for beginning principals. Not only will these insights assist staff developers in improving their programs, but beginning principals will learn how to better manage their time, become more involved in curriculum and instruction, and reduce their stress and tendency to burn out from the hectic pace of the job.”
Bruce Barnett, Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, University of Texas at San Antonio

Recommendations