Book excerpt: Learn successful practices from the "best of the best" to become an exemplary secondary school principal! Using recent survey results from 34 award-winning NCLB blue-ribbon secondary principals across the nation, author Sandra Harris examines over 100 of their best field-based practices to help school leaders everywhere succeed in making their schools the best that they can be. The chapters in this unique collection are organized around six themes to help secondary school principals learn from their peers successful strategies centered on leadership, shaping campus culture, communicating for collaboration, curriculum and instruction, school improvement plans, and personalizing the learning environment. Aspiring, new, and veteran secondary principals will benefit from: Descriptions of best practices and ideas for implementing them Recommended reading list for effective principals Reflection and insight from successful principals Additional resources to further extend best practices This invaluable resource covers the most current research, ideas, and strategies to help secondary principals become exemplary school leaders and create a thriving school environment