As public schools face hard times, disenchantment and the continual barrage of criticism call for more successful schools. The "soft" sides of leadership-trust, imagination, creativity, respect, and dignity-are the critical intangibles that connects people in deep and rewarding relationships to improve the climate for children and their ability to learn. Leaders who connect with people and build exciting relationships are needed, as teachers and other educators feel the loss of public support and esteem. Soft leadership begins with an introspective inquiry into leadership and the obligation...

In 2004, George Goens lost his daughter during the birth of his second grandchild. How does your heart and soul respond to the simultaneous crash of life and death? The convergence of two very disparate events - one celebrating the beginning of life, one grieving the loss of another - with distinctly different emotions colliding into a confused muddle. Joy and sorrow. Hope and despair. Happiness and grief. In "The Promise of Living," Goens wrestles with his conflicting emotions over the shocking and devastating loss of his daughter and the birth of his grandson. He examines his beliefs, his...

American public education has been on a merry-go-round of change for the past 40 years. We made something that is complex by its very nature into a strangled enterprise that is becoming even more knotty and complicated. A fog of reform is created obscuring issues and deflecting our focus from the real mission of schools. We need to emphasize ideals and principles in providing an education for our children in a caring and creative way. This book is about the fog of reform and getting back the ideal of a place called school. The sections describe a new metaphor and approach to change and...

American public education has been on a merry-go-round of change for the past 40 years. We made something that is complex by its very nature into a strangled enterprise that is becoming even more knotty and complicated. A fog of reform is created obscuring issues and deflecting our focus from the real mission of schools. We need to emphasize ideals and principles in providing an education for our children in a caring and creative way. This book is about the fog of reform and getting back the ideal of a place called school. The sections describe a new metaphor and approach to change and...

To be successful, children cannot adopt a victim mentality. When confronted with challenges, character matters -- responding effectively to address life's challenges. Schools must teach character development in an environment that holds children responsible and accountable.

To be successful, children cannot adopt a victim mentality. When confronted with challenges, character matters -- responding effectively to address life's challenges. Schools must teach character development in an environment that holds children responsible and accountable.

Education must explore civil dialogue to bring people together and engage constructively about democratic principles and values. This book explores principles and expectations for a democratic society, and how differences can be approached civilly to explore and define solutions.

What kind of education do students need to begin to think about who they are and how they can find significance in their lives? Both are essential to enable a life of happiness, freedom, and success. To deal with inevitable change, each individual must have a sense of self and purpose. That is what this book intends to tackle.