ABSTRACT
As the leader of a school, the principal has the greatest impact on the culture and climate of the school, on the optimal professional development and functioning of its staff, on its policies and practices, and ultimately on its priorities, functioning, and outcomes. Jack Benninga, Director of the longest-standing character education center at Fresno State University, reminds people to also consider principal continuity. Indeed, keeping a good leader in place long enough to deeply and sustainably foster a healthy adult and whole-school culture—and a comprehensive approach to character education—is critical to effectiveness. The Connected Leader is a model created by four of the former doctoral students, Julie Frugo, Amy Johnston, Brian McCauley, and Kevin Navarro. Julie is the head of school of Premier Character School in St. Louis, a National School of Character. The Vulnerable Leader, the Transformational Leader, and the Professional Growth Leader and a measure of the best practices of all these leaders.
