Description
Book SynopsisIn an era of high stakes accountability, testing, and standardization in education, Dr. Robert Dillon attempts to bring the student back into the center of the learning. This book is ideal for school leaders and teacher leaders that are searching for a new way to inject fresh energy and ideas into their learning spaces. By placing student engagement and the joy of learning into the center of the conversation, Dr. Dillon is able to showcase how providing students with choice, voice, and authentic audience can allow deeper learning to occur. Throughout the book, readers have the opportunity to journey with a principal as he regains his footing as a leader and begins to moving away from the inertia to just manage his school. In parallel, readers will be presented with ten proven strategies for bringing the quality of learning to their learning spaces that students, teachers, parents, and a community can truly celebrate. Dr. Dillon weaves this story into a vision of what is possible for sc
Trade ReviewThrough the art of storytelling Dr. Robert Dillon has crafted an inspirational call to action for the types of transformative changes schools desperately need. He provides clear action steps that any educator, regardless of position, can initiate and sustain meaningful change that will create a culture of teaching and learning primed for student achievement and success. The fact that he ties in stories of other practicing educators adds to this resource that, in my opinion, is desperately needed. Dr. Dillon's work fits in nicely with that of Yong Zhao making it a compelling read for all in the education space. -- Eric Sheninger, principal at New Milford High School (NJ)
Providing an effective exit strategy from the Industrial Age model of assembly line education can seem a daunting, if not impossible job. In Engage, Empower, Energize, Dr. Dillon provides both a narrative of why this change is critical to each of us as educational leaders, as well as pragmatic, straight forward, implementation strategies. By embracing his ten hallmarks of a transformed learning experience—expeditions, effective technologies, story-telling, systems thinking, making, and more—any school can transform learning from test-focused and teacher-centric, to one where students own a learning process that will prepare them for the real challenges they will face in their futures beyond school. -- Grant Lichtman, Senior Fellow,The Martin Institute for Teaching Excellence, author of "The Falconer: What We Wish We Had Learned in School"
The 21st century educator leads and models teaching and learning through connected, reflective, transparent, and collaborative methods. School leaders must recognize the changes in the educational landscape and support teachers in utilizing the continuous advances in technology. Dr. Dillon's book challenges us to recognize that we must be ready and willing to transform learning spaces in today’s classrooms if we truly intend to impact learning far beyond the walls of the school community. -- Jimmy Casas, principal, Bettendorf High School
Table of ContentsPreface Introduction Acknowledgments Chapter 1- Wandering into Safety Chapter 2- The Roadmap Chapter 3- A Walk in the Park Chapter 4- Experiencing Engagement Chapter 5- Growing a Sustainable School Chapter 6- Engaging Through Education for Sustainability Chapter 7- Riding the Wave of Technology Integration Chapter 8- Infusing Technology Integration Chapter 9- Throwing Away the Box Chapter 10-Beyond the Volcano: Excellence Through Project-Based Learning Chapter 11-Building Connected Conversations Through Systems Thinking Chapter 12-Seeing in Systems Chapter 13- The Power of Story Chapter 14- Engaging Learners Through Story Chapter 15- The Science Project Chapter 16- Empowering Citizen Scientists Chapter 17- Unlocking the Past, Engaging the Future Chapter 18- Learning Beyond the Classroom Chapter 19- A Place to Make Chapter 20- Making Things Better Chapter 21- Finding The Edge Through Empathy Chapter 22- Slipping into the Shoes of Others
