Description
Book SynopsisThe twists and turns and influences of life that helped shape the career of this award-winning school administrator form a story worth telling and sharing with anyone who works or aspires to a career in education. The book is a revealing look at the author''s childhood spent growing up in a large city and the people and events that helped to shape his passionate philosophy and beliefs about public education. Joey''s Story is filled with poignant messages about leadership and schooling in America. It is also a tale of passion and courage regarding public education that will provoke thought and debate among practitioners and the public at large.
Trade ReviewJoey's Story is an actuality report. Joe Batory laces philosophy and technique of school leadership with on-the-ground, up-front, in-your-face, real-life experience as only he can. Colorful, powerful, and instructive for anyone from the seasoned school leader to the person aspiring to an education career. Take the bases, Joey! You've hit another home run! -- Gary Marx, president, Center for Public Outreach; author, “Twenty-One Trends for the 21st Century”
It would be great if every aspiring school superintendent could read this book. Joey's Story is a wonderful, teachable tool that strikes a balance between school leadership and the everyday realities of life. Joe Batory's life has made a major contribution to his total community. Now this book goes one step further by enlightening prospective school leaders on what it is really like to lead and be humane at the same time. -- Rich Bagin, executive director, National School Public Relations Association, Rockville, Maryland
If I could replicate Joe Batory across America, we would be winning the rhetorical war for public schools. Too many education leaders simply aren't willing to lay it on the line, to buck the corporations, politicians and foundations that constantly andwrongfully demean and defame public education...Thanks for the good read ? Joey's Story rekindled my spirit.... -- Frosty Troy, editor, The Oklahoma Observer, Oklahoma City
Joey's Story is a collage of interesting and personal tales that speaks to a wide range of education issues, including the superintendency...there are many parts of this book which deeply move me. The difficult situations and creative alternativesthat led to Joe Batory's insights as well as the personal stories were all most enjoyable...... -- John DeFlaminis, superintendent of schools, Radnor Township School District, Radnor, PA
Joey's Story lures in the reader with a series of captivating personal anecdotes. And then, the book suddenly switches gears and delivers a very serious commentary about the real issues and politics surrounding public education..... -- Dick Hoops Weiss, prominent American sportswriter
Joe Batory has written a book that anyone involved with schools and children will cherish. He writes with passion and heart. Joey's Story provides insights into the way things really are in today's schools and offers a serious rebuttal to the naysayers who enjoy bashing public schools. But best of all, Joe Batory is a great storyteller. He will sweep you up with his personal odyssey -- Dr. Paul D. Houston, executive director, American Association of School Administrators, Arlington, VA
If I could replicate Joe Batory across America, we would be winning the rhetorical war for public schools. Too many education leaders simply aren't willing to lay it on the line, to buck the corporations, politicians and foundations that constantly and wrongfully demean and defame public education...Thanks for the good read — Joey's Story rekindled my spirit. -- Frosty Troy, editor,
The Oklahoma Observer, Oklahoma City
Joey's Story is a collage of interesting and personal tales that speaks to a wide range of education issues, including the superintendency...there are many parts of this book which deeply move me. The difficult situations and creative alternatives that led to Joe Batory's insights as well as the personal stories were all most enjoyable... -- John DeFlaminis, superintendent of schools, Radnor Township School District, Radnor, PA
Joey's Story lures in the reader with a series of captivating personal anecdotes. And then, the book suddenly switches gears and delivers a very serious commentary about the real issues and politics surrounding public education. -- Dick "Hoops" Weiss, prominent American sportswriter
Joe Batory is a magnificent writer. The tragedy is that as an author he remains one of America's best kept secrets. His work should be required reading in graduate schools of education. -- Dr. Matthew Costanzo, Former Superintendent of Schools, The School District of Philadelphia
...belong[s] in every library serving school personnel and those preparing for school administration as well as the personal libraries of superintendents. The 'Summaries of Messages' might well end up on the walls of superintendents all over the country where they should be frequently read. * Education Review *
Table of Contents
1 Introduction 2 Prologue 3 Chapter 1The Bully 4 Chapter 2 It's All About Dreams 5 Chapter 3 Reflections on my Work in Camden City 6 Chapter 4 My Life in Academia 7 Chapter 5 Community Turmoil 8 Chapter 6 Back into the Fray 9 Chapter 7 Personnel Adventures 10 Chapter 8 A Stroke of Fate 11 Chapter 9 Philosophy Drives Leadership 12 Chapter 10 The Visibility Factor 13 Chapter 11 About School Boards and Food 14 Chapter 12 The Arranged Marriage 15 Chapter 13 A Visit from the FBI 16 Chapter 14 My Students 17 Chapter 15 The Slush Fund 18 Chapter 16 The Silence of the Shepherds 19 Chapter 17 The Insanity Speech 20 Chapter 18 The Private Sector and the Schools 21 Chapter 19 The Moral Vacuum 22 Chapter 20 An Author Unpublished 23 Epilogue 24 A Summary of the Messages in this Book 25 References
