Professional Biography

Marla W. McGhee worked in the public schools of Texas for 21 years serving as a teacher, an elementary principal, a secondary principal, and a central office curriculum area director. Under her leadership as principal, Live Oak Elementary was named a U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School in 1992. She was selected to represent Texas as the National Distinguished Principal in 1994, and was one of three finalists in the nation for the Principal in Residence position at the U.S. Department of Education in 1995.

Marla is the co-author (with Barbara A. Jansen) of The Principal’s Guide to a Powerful Library Media Program, a Linworth publication. This book provides substantive information to help principals and other school leaders be effective practitioners and understand the influence a successful library media program has on teaching, learning and student outcomes.

Current Projects

Her current project is a work for the Christopher-Gordon Publishing School Leadership Series, Bridging Theory and Practice. This solely authored book, From Principles to Practices: Instructional Leadership in Action, will have multiple purposes and uses and will specifically address the theory to practice chasm as well as the instructional and managerial responsibilities of campus-based leaders.

Academic Credentials

Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Administration, 1992
University of Texas at Austin
Dissertation: Relation of Leadership Temperament to Change Facilitator Effectiveness

Master of Music Education, 1981
Texas Tech University
Thesis: Temporal Unit Imagery and Rhythmic Understanding

Bachelor of Music Education, 1978
Texas Tech University