The Instructional Leadership Toolbox: A Handbook for Improving Practice » (2nd Edition)

Sandra Lee Gupton, Ed.D., is a professor of educational leadership and research at the University of Southern Mississippi where she has been for ten years. Her experience in public schools includes over twenty years in various positions including teacher, high school principal, director of instruction, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, and superintendent. Her work at USM includes providing leadership in the reformed program preparing school administrators, advising a number of doctoral students of educational leadership, and teaching courses in educational leadership, curriculum development, and organizational theory.

Sandra's professional interests are centered on leadership issues related to gender equity, program reform, and school improvement. Her research on gender equity in educational leadership led to many presentations, the publication of several articles, and a 1996 book, Highly Successful Women Administrators: The Inside Stories of How They Got There, offering advice to prospective women administrators in education.

Her recent work with the reform of USM's program preparing school administrators has given her the opportunity to provide leadership in the complete redesign of the school's degree program for entry-level administrators. This program, now in its third year of operation, has received national acclaim as one of the top-rated programs for preparing principals in the country.

Gupton (education, U. of North Florida, Jacksonville) explores the role of the principal in facilitating leadership which integrates multiple sources, including teachers, students, parents, and community members. She offers principals a set of metaphorical, cognitive tools, in such areas as examining core beliefs and values, a school's mission, its vision, goals and objectives, school climate and culture, communication strategies, accountability, and personal fitness. These tools can be used by reflective educators to grow professionally and to strengthen their skills, to encourage better teaching and learning in their school settings. Annotation ©2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR