"This book is wonderful. My colleagues often state that the joy has been taken out of teaching. This book is a wake-up call that should be read by lawmakers at every level. Today I am celebrating the childhood of my students-something that we forget to do." -Christine Zajac, Principal Lt. Clayre Sullivan School, Holyoke, MA There is more to education than teacher-proof curricula and scores on high-stakes tests! Educators know that genuine teaching involves caring, compassion, and building character-principles that can sometimes take a back seat to short-term goals of standardized performance. This inspirational volume for practicing teachers, student teachers, and school leaders champions the heart and soul of teaching and emphasizes how teachers can influence, inspire, and touch the lives of learners. The book explores the central themes of teaching practice and offers perspectives on: Teaching as an art that promotes creativity, character, and imagination in students Balancing testing and accountability with the art and passion of teaching Authentic being and authentic teaching Reform from the ground level, where educators are making a difference in the lives of their students New directions for accountability mandates A motivating and empowering guide, this book reminds educators why they went into teaching in the first place!
The indispensable leadership companion-updated and more relevant than ever! Part leadership manual, part short novel, this unique best-seller uses dialogues between a novice and a master teacher and between a new and a seasoned principal to illuminate how the simple act of viewing a problem through different lenses-political, human resources, structural, or symbolic-can reveal better options and solutions. Featuring reflective questions and solid strategies for meeting real-life challenges, the third edition also includes New views on building morale in challenging times A revamped discussion of mandates, standards, and rubrics A celebration of educators as skilled professionals Expanded conversations about hope, faith, and parental involvement Sometimes all it takes to solve a problem is to reframe it by listening to wise advice from a trusted mentor.
"It is refreshing to see a volume dedicated first and foremost to understanding and building human relationships in schools. By developing strong networks, schools can foster open systems committed to distributive leadership and exemplary academic outcomes." -Sharon Conley, Professor University of California, Santa Barbara Discover how to navigate your school's social networks to maximize communication and collaboration! Social networks reflect the usually invisible relationships that control the flow of information and power within a school. This compelling guide provides school leaders with an understanding of the real relationships within their schools and how to use their social savvy to promote school goals. This resource examines the types of social networks typically found in schools and provides samples of social network maps, steps for developing your own maps, and practical advice for managing social networks effectively. Learn how to leverage the power of: Task networks determined by work roles and organizational structure Friendship networks based on relationships between staff members Power networks that can influence opinions and resources Culture networks that can help unite staff By understanding the many relationships that contribute to a school's culture, leaders can cultivate innovative ideas, enhance teacher capacity, manage conflict, and get things done.
Discover how social networks can foster learning communities and promote school improvement! Social networks reflect the usually invisible relationships that control the power and flow of information within a school. This resource for school leaders examines types of networks-related to tasks, friendships, power, and culture-and provides tools for maximizing networks' positive schoolwide influence. You will find: - Samples of social network maps that illustrate the relationships among players in various types of networks - Steps for developing your own social network maps using interviews, surveys, and data analysis - Strategies and practical advice for managing social networks in support of school goals
