Full Description
"A brilliant distillation of the best thinking from one of the great minds in our field. This funny, uplifting page-turner inspires profound 'aha' moments necessary for being a 'hope-pusher' internally while effectively advocating for children in the larger community."
—Alan M. Blankstein, President
HOPE Foundation
"Paul Houston thinks like a man of action and acts like a man of thought. His writings are packed with the wisdom, grace, and innovation that have made him one of the true leaders in American public education today."
—Daniel H. Pink, Author
A Whole New Mind
"This book translates the real issues in public education into sublime teachings for life."
—Anne L. Bryant, Executive Director
National School Boards Association
"Paul Houston is a crusader for American public education. His fresh ideas provide answers to some of the toughest challenges our schools and school leaders face today."
—Richard Riley, Former U.S. Secretary of Education
"In these timeless essays, Houston opens our minds with his powerful thoughts, touches our hearts with his understanding and passion, and invites us to see public schools and the children we serve in a new light."
—Gail Connelly, Executive Director
National Association of Elementary School Principals
"Paul Houston's extensive knowledge of the issues facing today's busy school administrators is unparalleled. This collection is indeed a testament to Houston's legacy and his deep love for and commitment to public education."
—Gerald N. Tirozzi, Executive Director
National Association of Secondary School Principals
A collection of influential, insightful, and inspiring articles from an educational leadership expert!
In this resource, retiring executive director of the American Association of School Administrators, former superintendent, and best-selling author Paul D. Houston examines the growing complexity of the educational process and the challenge of transforming learning into an engaging, meaningful—and even joyful—experience.
Houston offers enlightening perspectives on global competition, the widening economic gulf between social classes, the explosion of information, and a landscape of competing expectations. This provocative book views education as "soul work" touching the deepest part of the human spirit and covers:
What it means to be a leader
The challenges of transforming public education
How leaders can champion learning and education
Lessons from the field
Contents
Foreword by Terrence E. Deal
Introduction
Acknowledgments
About the Author
1. The Building Blocks of Leadership
So?...But Not So What!
Finding Our Voice
Breaking Away
Risking Our Significance
Daily Blessings
Living in a Jerry Springer World
The Samurai Superintendent
The Axis of Evil
On Becoming a Hope Pusher
A View From the Top
Life's Lessons From My Dog Holly
2. New Role: Superintendent of Education
Getting It Right
Revenge of the Blob
Nearly Famous
A Critical Position in Critical Condition
On the Penguin March Through Life
Who You Gonna Call?
Building Fields of Dreams
To Lead My Trek, I Pick Scotty
3. Transforming Public Education: Challenges and Solutions
Lessons From Room 411
Burning Thoughts on a Snowy Day
The Seven Deadly Sins of No Child Left Behind
Authentic Accountability
Barking Up the Right Tree
Intelligent Redesign: Reframing the Discussion on High School Reform
Einstein's Brain
Advancing System Leadership
Making Great Time on a Lost Highway
Diverse Learners
Butchers or Tailors
The Bigotry of Expectations
Running Schools Like Business
NCLB: Dreams and Nightmares
4. Lessons From the Road
Bagpipes and a Spot of Grace
Finding the Right Words
Snow Blind
Is Possible?
A Pint of Good Sense
The Road to Hana
Water and Ice
Seeing the Forest and the Trees
Ode to Joy
Negotiating the Past and the Future
The Fantasy and Flow of Vietnam
A Worthy Import From Singapore
Digging My Way to China
Index
