Seeking Balance - by Nicholas J Pace (Hardcover)

About the Book

This extended, real-world case study provides an authentic, unvarnished account of a fully-human principal knee deep in what is appropriately called the toughest job in education.

Book Synopsis

Seeking Balance: The Story of a Principal's Second Semester continues the story of fictional Principal Joe Gentry's first year on the job. Like its predecessor, Reality Calling: The Story of a Principal's First Semester, this book is crafted from authentic experiences shared by principals. This part of the story picks up in January as Joe anticipates his mid-year evaluation. As winter turns to spring, he reflects on lessons learned and seeks to build on successes and correct his mistakes. Throughout, Joe seeks guidance and support from his wife, mentors, and two friends, who are also new principals. As the months roll by, he navigates the complexities of school leadership and seeks balance between personal and professional life, leadership and management, and theory and the real-world.

This extended, real-world case study provides an authentic, unvarnished account of a fully-human principal knee deep in what is appropriately called the toughest job in education. The book concludes with Joe anticipating an end of the year meeting with his two friends to reflect on their progress toward becoming the leaders they have envisioned.

Review Quotes

"The creatively told story of Joe Gentry's second semester as a high school principal provides the reader with an insight into the challenge all leaders have in balancing leadership and management. Joe wrestles with common challenges for a first year principal in ways that allow for interpretation through multiple lenses. This book is particularly valuable for its questions at the end of each chapter, which provide preparation programs a new, unique tool for generating conversations with pre-service principals." --Liz Hollingworth, associate professor, educational policy and leadership studies, University of Iowa

"In Seeking Balance, novice principals share insights, challenges, and successes in grappling with real-life leadership situations. Author Nick Pace artfully reminds readers that often times, the easy solution is awfully elusive. This reflective read is great for aspiring principals seeking to better understand leadership as well as in-the-field leaders who want to hone their craft." --William Sterrett, Ph.D., former principal and author of Insights into Action: Successful School Leaders Share What Works

"Back from winter break, Seeking Balance continues where its predecessor Reality Calling leaves off, guiding educational leaders through the unique and fascinating challenges of a principalship. Seeking Balance provides a rare opportunity for readers to evaluate rookie principal, Joe Gentry, as he completes his first year on the job." --Jeffrey J. Dieken, principal, Hudson High School, Iowa

"In his follow-up to Reality Calling, Dr. Nick Pace artfully reveals the day-to-day dilemmas, demands, and decisions that rookie principal Joe Gentry faces during his second semester on the job. Current and future school leaders will be captivated by the real-life situations and reflective questions presented in Seeking Balance." --Daniel Cox, Ph.D., superintendent, Charles City Community School District, Iowa

About the Author

Nicholas J. Pace is associate professor of Educational Leadership at the University of Northern Iowa. The former social worker, teacher, coach, and principal lives in Cedar Falls, IA with his family.