resources
Whether it is an assessment tool, book, article, or blog, the following resources provide ideas to help enhance your leadership knowledge and skills.
“Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.”
blogs
Bella, J. (2023, May 23). Before, During, and After the Interview: Tips for Hiring Committees.
Bella, J. (2023, March 28). Reflecting on Reflection.
Bella, J. (2022, November 10). Leading with Intention—A Daily Practice.
Bella, J. (2021, August 5). Who Are You and Why Do You Need to Know?
Bella, J. (2021, May 4). Now Let’s Break It! A Critical Component of the Change Process.
Bella, J. (2021, January 7). Developing Systems: Creating Efficiencies and Becoming More Effective.
Bella, J. (2020, August 6). Getting it Right From the Start.
Bella, J. (2020, July 7). Give Yourself the Gift of Professional Development.
Bella, J. (2019, October 14). Avoiding Repeat Meetings: Simple Solutions for Moving Forward.
Bella, J. (2019, August). Conducting a Self-Assessment: Tips for Gathering Data Informally.
Bella, J. (2019, April 10). Starting from the Core: Identifying Your Beliefs About Coaching Administrators.
Bella, J. (2019, March 12). Making it Stick: Building a Continuum of Support for Professional Development.
Bella, J. (2019, February 19). Setting the Tone for Professional Growth.
Bella, J. (2019, January 14). Getting a Return on Your Investment in Professional Development: Putting Practices in Place that Yield Results.
Bella, J. (2018, October 30). Professional Growth: Do You See What I See?
Bella, J. (2018, October 4). Putting Your Money Where Your Mouth Is.
Bella, J. (2018, September 10). Professional Development: Who Decides?
Bella, J. (2016, April 18). A Critical Intersection: Administrative and Pedagogical Leadership.
Bella, J. (2015, September 29). Thanks for Complaining: Appreciating Feedback as an Opportunity for Growth.
Bella, J. (2007, Summer). Improving Leadership and Management Practices—One Step at a Time.
books
Masterson, M., Abel, M., Talan, T., and Bella, J. (2019). Building on Whole Leadership: Energizing and Strengthening Your Early Childhood Program. Gryphon House, Inc.
Bella, J., Bloom, P.J. & Hentschel, A. (2016). A Great Place to Work: Creating a Healthy Organizational Climate Trainer’s Guide. (2nd ed.). Everbloom Learning.
Bloom, P.J. & Hentschel, A., Bella, J. (2016). A Great Place to Work: Creating a Healthy Organizational Climate (2nd ed.). Everbloom Learning.
Bella, J., Bloom, P.J. & Hentschel, A. (2013). Inspiring Peak Performance: Competence, Commitment, and Collaboration Trainer’s Guide. Everbloom Learning.
Bloom, P.J. & Hentschel, A., Bella, J. (2013). Inspiring Peak Performance: Competence, Commitment, and Collaboration. Everbloom Learning.
assessment tools
Talan, T.N., Bella, J.M., and Bloom, P.J. (2022). Program Administration Scale: Measuring Whole Leadership in Early Childhood Centers. (3rd ed.). New York: Teachers College Press. Looking for PAS-3 resources? Click here.
Bella, J., Abel, M., Bloom, P.J., and Talan, T. (2017). Administrator Role Perception Survey. Wheeling, IL: McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership.
articles
Abel, M., Bella, J., & Talan, T. (Summer 2018). Director’s Professional Development Needs Differ by Developmental Stage. Research Notes. Wheeling, IL: McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership at National Louis University.
Bella, J., and Bloom, P.J. (2016). Who Says Climate Change is a Bad Thing: Using data to improve the work climate of your program. Fee-based article from Exchange Magazine (in press). Exchange Press, Inc. Redmond, WA.
Bella, J. & Talan, T. (Winter, 2012). Speaking up and speaking out: The director as advocate for the early childhood workforce. Research Notes, Wheeling, IL: McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership.
Bella, J. (2008). Improving Leadership and Management Practices: One Step at a Time. Fee-based article from Exchange Magazine 30:4. Exchange Press, Inc. Redmond, WA.
Bella, J. (2007). Improving Leadership and Management Practices: One Step at a Time. Director’s Link. The McCormick Tribune Center for Early Childhood Leadership at National-Louis University. Wheeling, IL.
Bloom, P. & Bella, J. (2005). Investment in Leadership Training—The payoff for early childhood education. Fee-based article from Young Children 60:1. NAEYC. Washington, D.C.
Bella, J. & Talan, T. (2004). Directors’ Perceptions about Male Involvement in Early Childhood Programs. Research Notes. The Center for Early Childhood Leadership at National-Louis University. Wheeling, IL.
Bella, J. & Talan, T. (2004). Desperately Seeking Sam: Male involvement in early childhood education. Director’s Link. The Center for Early Childhood Leadership at National-Louis University. Wheeling, IL.
Bella, J. & Bloom, P. (2003). Zoom: The Impact of Early Childhood Leadership Training on Role Perceptions, Job Performance, and Career Decisions. The Center for Early Childhood Leadership at National-Louis University. Wheeling, IL.
Mahoney, G. & Bella, J. (1998). An Examination of the Effects of Family-Centered Early Intervention on Child and Family Outcomes. Topics in Special Education 18:2 (83-94).
find more resources on the blog
"I was at a point in my career where I wanted to implement new techniques, but I was unsure how to suggest change in the work culture so I attended a Director’s Toolbox training series. I was not excited at first, due to attending many training and professional development cohorts that did not leave a lasting impression on me. The instruction and facilitation from Jill Bella was different! These were lively sessions with an emphasis on what leaders need! The interaction with peers and the delivery sparks innovation for all leaders that are trained by Jill Bella. I was able to bring many new methods to my work culture. All leaders should have an opportunity to attend a training facilitated by Jill Bella!"
– Marsha Payton-Martin, Pre-K Teacher, Chicago Public Schools and Former Associate Director, Gads Hill Center
Intentional leadership in your early care and education career can become a daily practice that you cultivate and grow.