sample article review

1. FINAL REQUIREMENT: A SIMPLE ARTICLE REVIEW
The effective principal
Pamela Mendels
February 2012
Wallace Foundation
New York
Submitted by:
MA. JANICE ODIAMAN-NICART
PhD Educational Management Student
Submitted to:
FR. FERNANDO N.EGARGO, PH.D.
Eastern Samar State University
GRADUATE SCHOOL
Borongan City
Modern socio-psycho theories of school administration (DEM 709)
Summer2016

2. Professor
Good morning, Father Andiy! It’s 1:28 A.M, and here I am writing my review. This article
added another important remark on my instructional leadership bank of best practices. As a future
educational leader, it helps me widen my view and perspective as I prepare to shape and make a
difference in the future.
This article revealed the ultimate role an effective principal must play in order to ensure
efficient administration. It was detailed that “when principal was first used in connection with
school leadership in the 1800s, the word “principal” was an adjective in front of another word
“teacher” (Pierce, 1935, p.11 as mentioned by Hensley)”. Therefore, the primary role of principal
in order to make a difference is not on school management, rather, on being an instructional leader
who will assist in closing the gap between advantaged and less advantaged students.
The article was about how to be an effective principal. This explained five (5) pivotal
practices that shapes instructional leadership.
The problem this article dealt with is the notion that “principal” primarily refers to being
chief, top executive, the head of all others, and so on. Mendels quoted Hensley that a principal
must be an instructor who assumed some administrative tasks as school began to grow beyond the
one-room buildings of yore. The original principal, Hensley stresses, was like the other teachers
in the school, concerned with instruction above all.
So, in line with that eye-opening information, the Wallace Foundation (2012) reposted their
recently published Perspective report that takes a look back at their research and field experiences.
Here, they laid down five practices to be the best instructional leader and these are the following:
1. Shaping a vision of academic success for all students and based on high standards;
2. Creating a climate hospitable to education in order that safety, a cooperative spirit, and
other foundations of fruitful interaction prevail;
3. Cultivating leadership in others so that teachers and other adults assume their part in
realizing the school vision;

3. 4. Improving instruction to enable teachers to teach at their best and students to learn at
their utmost; and
5. Managing people, data and processes to foster school improvement.
The other arguments the author offers is for principals to put each of these elements in
place- and in harmony for them to stand a fighting chance of making a real difference for students.
My assessment of the arguments proposed by the author centrals on the big misconception
that anybody can be a great principal if you only have a big heart for the service of the people.
After reading this article, I firmly realized, that in order to be an effective principal, you must
aspire and reach THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF EDUCATION AND FOSTER A HUMANE AND
DIVINELY NURTURED WILL TO BE ALWAYS OF SERVICE TO OTHERS AND CARRY
OUT YOUR HOLY TASK IN A “CONFIDENTLY BEAUTIFUL WITH A HEART”
ATTITUDE.
My counter arguments for this matter focuses on the effective principal being jack- of- all
trades, master of all. Yes, a principal can always delegate tasks to her subordinates who can carry
out other tasks. However, a highly effective instructional leader, for me, must be a highly
knowledgeable-experience-wise, in giving administrative support in order to develop the
maximum potential of the organization.
Thank you po, Father!!!
 Jannaecca ☺