Seeking Balance - by Nicholas J Pace (Paperback)

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

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.

Review Quotes

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.