Full Description
This is the updated edition of the bestselling seminal book on school leadership, equity, and social justice. Drawing on the experiences and words of successful public-school principals, Theoharis shows why social justice leadership is needed and how it can be effective in creating more equitable schools. Although they faced tremendous barriers, the principals featured in this book made important strides toward closing the outcome and opportunity gaps in their schools by using inclusive, equitable practices. Featuring a mix of theory and practical strategies, this edition has been updated with new examples and frameworks relevant to today's leaders. Responding to the current context of national resistance to issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion, this timely book portrays how real school leaders seek, create, and sustain equitable schools, especially for marginalized students.
The School Leaders Our Children Deserve identifies seven keys that are crucial for social justice leadership:
Key 1: Acquire Broad, Reconceptualized Consciousness/Knowledge/Skill Base
Key 2: Possess Core Leadership Traits
Key 3: Advance Inclusion, Access, and Opportunity for All
Key 4: Improve the Core Learning Context--Both the Teaching and the Curriculum
Key 5: Create a Climate of Belonging
Key 6: Increase Student Learning
Key 7: Sustain Oneself Professionally and Personally
Book Features:
Grounds the lofty ideals of equity and social justice in the daily work of school leadership.
Provides rich and abundant examples, ideas, and strategies for how to be a school leader committed to issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
Includes a new focus on culturally sustaining leadership and how disability studies inform practice.
Offers an examination of how leaders conduct equity audits to improve outcomes for minoritized students.
Shows how leaders navigate challenges to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in their communities.
Contents
Contents (Tentative)Acknowledgments
Forward by Lynda Tredway
Note on Methodology
1. School Leadership and Social Justice
Barriers to School Success
Social Justice Leadership as an Effective Alternative to School-as-Usual
Organization and Content of the Book
A Framework for Social Justice Leadership
Conclusion2. The Seven Social Justice Principals and Their Schools
Introducing the Principals and Their Schools
Conclusion3. "There Is No Social Justice Without Inclusion": Advancing Inclusion, Access, and Opportunity for All
The Connection Between Inclusion and Social Justice
Strategies That Advanced Inclusion, Access, and Opportunity for All
Conclusion4. "Changing How We Teach, What We Teach, and How We Approach Schooling": Improving the Core Learning Context
The Connection Between Improving the Core Learning Context and Social Justice
Strategies to Improve the Core Learning Context—Both the Teaching and the Curriculum
Conclusion5. "Connecting and Respecting": Creating a Climate of Belonging
The Connection Between a Climate of Belonging and Social Justice
Strategies That Create a Climate of Belonging
Conclusion6. Closing the Opportuntiy Gap and Increasing Student Learning: Toward a Theory of Socially Just School Reform
The Connection Between Increasing Student Learning and Social Justice
Increasing Student Learning
Toward a Theory of Socially Just School Reform7. "At Every Turn": The Barriers Faced by Social Justice Principals
Barriers Within the School Site
Barriers at the District Level
Barriers at the Institutional Level
Consequences of the Barriers
Conclusion8. "Saving My Sanity": The Resilience That Leaders Develop to Sustain Justice and Equity
Professional Strategies
Personal Strategies
Conclusion9. "The Intricacies and Details": Consciousness, Knowledge, Skills, and Core Traits of Social Justice Leaders
Acquiring Broad, Reconceptualized Consciousness, Knowledge, and Skills
Possessing Core Leadership Traits
Conclusion10. "But That's Just Good Leadership": Lessons and Directions for Social Justice Leadership
Lessons for Educators
"But That's Just Good Leadership"References
Index
About the Author
