Foreword Preface Acknowledgments and Dedication About the Authors Introduction: Fueling the Passion in Our Schools PART I: INSPIRING TO GROW: A CULTURE OF STRONG RELATIONSHIPS Chapter 1: A Learning Culture, Not a Teaching Culture Everyone Works to Learn Unintended Consequences An Aligned System of Improvement Growth From the Inside Out Quality Levels of Support Support and Growth Through Feedback Leadership: Choosing Your Direction Charting the Difference Fueling Passion Through Opportunity A Culture of Joy and Fulfillment Creating A Learning Culture by Design: Commitment and Desire Chapter 2: Developing the Desire for Change to Grow Faster Speeding Up the Process Feedback Faster: Creating Systems of Improvement Systematizing PD and Feedback Defining the Outcomes Something for Everyone Technical Tip #1: Everyone Gets a Personal Growth Plan Technical Tip #2: Hire for a Growth Mindset PART II: EVERYONE CONTRIBUTES: NO PASSENGERS ALLOWED Chapter 3: The Wonder of a Work Ethic Everyone Contributes Everyone Means Everyone Break the Cycle of Failure Embrace an I Believe Attitude Leadership: Choosing Your Direction Charting the Difference Empower Student Ownership by Creating New Opportunities A Culture Where Everyone Is Connected and Leadership Matters Creating a Community of Support by Design: Networking and Storytelling Chapter 4: Stronger Backs, Not Lighter Loads A Contribution is Mandatory Making a Mark: The Best Ways to Make an Impact Systematizing Strengths Defining the Roles and Naming the Positions Everybody Makes a Difference Technical Tip #1: Survey for Strengths, Hobbies, and Fun Projects Technical Tip #2: Hiring Contributors PART III: POSITIVITY FUELED BY CELEBRATIONS: BEYOND THE BASICS Chapter 5: Committing to a Culture of Celebration The Power of Connection The Revolving Door You Can't Lift Anything Up While You're Pushing It Down There's More Than One Way to Define Success Leadership: Choosing Your Direction Charting the Difference Know Where You're Going, How to Get There, and if You're in the Right Vehicle A Culture of Celebration Creating a Positive Culture by Design: Recognition and Understanding Chapter 6: Positive Educators Ignite the System Celebrate Like You Mean It Two Data Treasure Troves: Create Short-Term Wins Through Goal-Setting Systematizing Celebrations Defining What and Why We Celebrate Diversifying the Who Technical Tip #1: Building the Budget to Celebrate Technical Tip #2: Hiring Positive People Conclusion: A Blueprint for Sustaining Passion in Our Schools References Index
Mandates such as NCLM and RTTT have been externally imposed on educators often causing a rift in their sense of ownership of their craft. These mandates can also have a chilling effect on motivation and the passion educators had when they first entered the profession. This book is written to help those teachers and school leaders rekindle their passion and re-claim that ownership. The goal of the authors is to motivate educators to become the best teachers and leaders that they can be. It will inspire leaders newly commit to taking courageous actions that will lead to student success and growth. This book is a call to action for teachers and principals around the world to recommit to becoming the most passionate educators and leaders we know our children deserve. The authors offer a blueprint for success by providing numerous practical ideas, how-to's, and suggestions from successful, passionate practitioners.
Dr. Salome Thomas-EL has been a teacher and principal in Philadelphia, PA and Wilmington, DE since 1987. He is currently the Head of School at Thomas Edison Public Charter School in Wilmington, DE. Thomas-EL received national acclaim as a teacher and chess coach at Vaux Middle School, where his students have gone on to win world recognition as Eight-Time National Chess Champions. Principal EL was a regular contributor on "The Dr. Oz Show" and the author of the best-selling books, I Choose to Stay and The Immortality of Influence (Foreword by Will Smith). The Walt Disney Company optioned the movie rights to I Choose to Stay. Thomas-EL speaks to groups across the country and frequently appears on CSPAN, CNN, and NPR Radio. He has received the Marcus A. Foster Award as the outstanding School District Administrator in Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania's distinguished Martin Luther King Award. Reader's Digest Magazine recognized Principal EL as an "Inspiring American Icon" and he has appeared on Oprah Radio! Joseph Jones, Ed.D. is the Superintendent of the New Castle County Vocational-Technical School District in Delaware. Joe is a former high school social studies teacher, assistant principal, and principal. As principal, he was named the Delaware Secondary Principal of the Year and during his tenure, Delcastle Technical High School was the first high school to receive the state's Outstanding Academic Achievement Award. He received his doctorate from the University of Delaware in educational leadership and was awarded the outstanding doctoral student award of his class. Currently, Joe works closely with local and state leaders on student achievement, spearheading an aggressive campaign to ensure students are successful in high school and in their post-secondary pursuits. He presents nationally on topics of school leadership and is the co-founder of the leadership development institute, TheSchoolHouse302. Along with T.J. Vari, he co-authored Candid and Compassionate Feedback: Transforming Everyday Practice in Schools. And, with Salome Thomas-EL and T.J. Vari, he co-authored Passionate Leadership: Creating a Culture of Success in Every School, Building a Winning Team: The Power of a Magnetic Reputation and the Need to Recruit Top Talent in Every School, and Retention for a Change: Motivate, Inspire, and Energize Your School Culture. T.J. Vari, Ed.D. is the Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Schools and District Operations in the Appoquinimink School District in Delaware. He is a former middle school assistant principal and principal and former high school English teacher and department chair. His master's degree is in School Leadership and his doctorate is in Innovation and Leadership where he accepted an Award for Academic Excellence given to one doctoral student per graduating class. He holds several honors and distinctions, including his past appointment as President of the Delaware Association for School Administrators, his work with the Delaware Association for School Principals, and the honor in accepting the Paul Carlson Administrator of the Year Award. His efforts span beyond the K-12 arena into higher education where he holds adjunct appointments, teaching courses at the masters and doctoral level. He is a national presenter on topics of school leadership and the co-founder of TheSchoolHouse302, a leadership development institute. Along with Joseph Jones, he co-authored Candid and Compassionate Feedback: Transforming Everyday Practice in Schools. And, with Salome Thomas-EL and Joseph Jones, he co-authored Passionate Leadership: Creating a Culture of Success in Every School, Building a Winning Team: The Power of a Magnetic Reputation and the Need to Recruit Top Talent in Every School, and Retention for a Change: Motivate, Inspire, and Energize Your School Culture.