Coping with Educational Crises: Approaches from School Leaders Who Did It provides readers with perspectives and research-based strategies regarding the leadership approaches employed by school district administrators at all levels of organizational responsibility including superintendents of schools; assistant superintendents; program directors and coordinators; principals; assistant principals; and teacher leaders to confront unexpected major crises in school operations such as that created by the COVID-19 global pandemic. This book consists of eight chapters written by practicing administrators, leadership researchers, and experienced educators who present their analyses and insights about managing the people, things, and ideas of educational organizations during crisis situations. They articulate various approaches that they and other educational leaders employed to abate the deleterious impact of crises on their respective organizations. Coping with Educational Crises also provides recommendations to current and future school leaders who may face similar crises during their careers. Additionally, the editors and contributing authors offer sage advice to educational policymakers, school administrators, parents, and community leaders to recognize the collateral opportunities associated with any crisis including reforms to the pre-crisis traditional educational system since some of its key foundations, procedures, and expectations may have been significantly changed forever.

Table of Contents:
Foreword Peter DeWitt Preface Acknowledgments Introduction Chapter 1. School Leadership in a Global Crisis: A Study of Initial Reactions and Future Perspectives Carol S. Cash, Jodie L. Brinkmann, and Ted S. Price Chapter 2. A Practicing Superintendent’s Experiences Duringa Global Crisis: Recommendations for Preparing for the Next One! Jeffrey Robert Rabey Chapter 3. Constructing a Comprehensive Crisis Management Framework: Sunflower Unified School District Case Study John E. McKenna and Walter S. Polka Chapter 4. Instructional Leadership: The Critical Spark to Lead Meaningful Educational Change Monica J. VanHusen and Walter S. Polka Chapter 5. Managing the Auxiliary School Services: Budget, Finances, Facilities, Transportation, and Food Services in Crisis Situations Rubie Harris Chapter 6. Human Resources During Crises: Emphasize the HUMAN in Human Resources John E. McKenna and Moira H. Cooper Chapter 7. Commencing New Leadership Positions During Crises: Finding an Appropriate Leadership Conceptual Framework to Address Unexpected Personal and Professional Challenges Michelle Grimes Chapter 8. The Next Era is Up to Us: Seizing Opportunities and Creating a New Future John E. McKenna, Monica J. VanHusen, and Walter S. Polka Afterword Thomas Payton About the Editors and Contributors