Decades of theory, research, and practice have singled out sense of belonging (in its many derivative forms) as a pivotal component of healthy development: psychologically, socially, culturally, academically. The human need for belonging, and therefore its essential nature, have been well established across multiple arenas. Despite growth in this field, answers to the barriers to belonging among marginalized groups and contexts remain especially elusive. For decades, this work was anchored...

"Developing Critical Cultural Competence provides educators with the inspiration, knowledge, and tools to move from theory to action in seeking to eliminate the achievement gap."—Bess Scott, Director of Elementary EducationLincoln Public Schools, NE"As I read this book, it became clear that my long-held belief about the meaning of cultural competence needed a makeover. I am now convinced that my personal definition of diversity should embrace a much deepe...

Developing an approach to professional learning that has motivated teachers and resulted in impressive improvements in student learning, particularly for students who traditionally underachieve in school.

If you are committed to helping young adolescents become successful, responsible, global citizens, the Association for Middle Level Education, formerly National Middle School Association, invites you to read and implement This We Believe: Keys to Educating Young Adolescents. This book describes the 16 vital characteristics of successful middle grades schools, and is a critical resource for everyone involved in the education, health, and well being of today’s young adolescents. Now in its f...

The forward-thinking techniques you need to manage today’s diverse classroomsA well-managed classroom is a successful one. But as cultural diversity increases in schools, old classroom management strategies are growing ineffective—or even counterproductive. In a comprehensive, practical guide, Laura E. Pinto details why today’s classrooms are best managed by valuing culturally responsive engagement and what teachers must do for their classrooms to flourish...

"This timely book is exactly what modern schools need, blending Fullan′s theoretical genius about change with practical strategies that can work in any school. Readers will discover that it is practical, easy to use, and empowering for educators, with lots of room for personal choices at the school level."-Lyn Sharratt, Superintendent of Curriculum and Instructional Services, York Region District School Board, North Toronto, ON, Canada"This book is an easy read ...

This remarkable book defines a new framework for instructional reform using three core components—personalization, precision, and professional learning—to develop precise, data-driven classroom instruction personalized to every student.

The book discusses the challenges that teacher leaders face, such as deciding to accept a leadership role, building principal–teacher leader relationships, and working with peers.

For the last thirty years, the nation's mental health and social service systems have been under relentless assault, with dramatically rising costs and the fragmentation of service delivery rendering them incapable of ensuring the safety, security, and recovery of their clients. The resulting organizational trauma both mirrors and magnifies the trauma-related problems their clients seek relief from. Just as the lives of people exposed to chronic trauma and abuse become organized around the...

"Clears out the bureaucratic techniques of impersonal management and focuses the core of leadership on dealing with school change as a most human endeavor. When all is said and done, the quality of education revolves around the aspirations, commitments, and wellness of teachers giving their best."—Carl Glickman, Scholar in ResidenceThe University of GeorgiaDevelop a leadership approach that responds to the emotional needs of teachers!

This guide helps educators implement a continuous school improvement system through application of the seven correlates of effective schools. The authors discuss each correlate, update the knowledge base, and incorporate practical ideas from practitioners in the field. A comprehensive description of practices enables educators to build and sustain a school culture that accommodates the learning expectations and needs of all students.

A laser-beam focus on improving instruction to improve learningSaying "teaching matters most" is easy, and seems obvious. Making it the top priority for school leaders and staff is not so easy—in fact, it′s messy. If we want to change how students write, compute, and think, then teachers must change how they teach. They must transform the old "assign-and-assess" model into engaging, compassionate, coherent, and rigorous instruction. The authors show school...