Description
Book SynopsisDrawing upon thirty-two years of experience in public education, ranging from the classroom to the principal's office, author Carolyn Lawrence offers advice, insight, and inspiration to her readers about how to make reading accessible and even fun for students. However, Lawrence's point stretches far beyond literacy and delves into the idea that all students, regardless of background and "correct instructional level", are capable of learning and benefiting from a positive school environment. Her intention is to make the reader a participant in the school's life, to give an insider's view of how much "soul" it takes to make a school successful. Through anecdotes and personal experience, Lawrence provides all readers, both educators and others, with a deeper understanding of the challenges of public education. She demonstrates the role of the teacher and the principal as the instructional leader and a daily participant in classroom life, juggling a variety of roles and responsibilities. This book is useful to all readers with a concern for education, and particularly for practicing and training school administration and others concerned with curriculum and instruction planning. It will also be helpful in preparing teacher education students and new teachers for the classroom.
Trade ReviewI had the pleasure of working with Carolyn McKenzie Lawrence in Florida and found her to be a principled person who fought to educate all her students. Her book is a poignant portrayal of her efforts to educate all students especially working for those marginalized by the education system. Regardless of your perspective on assessment and accountability it is vital that the American public and educators engaged in a dialogue concerning the complexities of implementing assessments in our schools. Dr. Lawrence's text adds another voice to the debate. -- Eric J. Smith, Superintendent of Public Schools, Anne Arundel County, MD
Any person who really wants to do a good job as an educator of students, teachers, or administrators will benefit from this book. Her courage to do what is right even in the face of personal cost shows her commitment to children. -- Dr. James Surratt, superintendent of Public Schools, Raleigh, North Carolina
This book is a must read for elementary school teachers and principals, especially schools in low-income areas. Its focus is on the children and their learning needs. It provides an insider's look at the daily educational challenges in these schools and offers clear and practical ways to make them successful experiences for each and every child. -- Paul Lawrence, Donham Professor Emeritus, Harvard University
Stories of successful practitioners like Carolyn provide powerful inspiration for future educators, and her experience is a wonderful example of true leadership. I will be sure to share the book with my colleagues. -- Ellen Condliffe Lagerman, Charles Warren Professor of the History of American Education and Dean
[Lawrence] describes practical ways to help put children's needs, instead of test scores, back into the center of the educational process, and ways to mentor children who need extra help in the early grades. * Reference and Research Book News *
Carolyn Lawrence has distilled the wisdom of effective school leadership into a lively series of personal and practical strategies that are presented in such a concrete way that every school leader can benefit from encountering and pondering them. School principals in search of support for their struggles with the 21st century challenges can turn with confidence to Lawrence's work. -- Paul George, Distinguished Professor of Education
Table of ContentsChapter 1 1 Why This Book? Chapter 2 2 Making School a Personal Place to Be Chapter 3 3 Discipline Chapter 4 4 Ironing Out Our Expectations for Instruction Chapter 5 5 Ramifications for Poverty Chapter 6 6 Getting Rid of Bad teaching and Supporting Good Teaching Chapter 7 7 Reflections Chapter 8 About the Author
