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Transforming the Culture of School Leadership
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Transforming the Culture of School Leadership
Humanizing Our Practice

Foreword by Richard Hawthorne


May 2005 | 224 pages | Corwin
"In an era of accountability, it is all too easy for school leadership initiatives to dehumanize the culture of the educational workplace. Yet Giancola and Hutchison provide an alternative view of school leadership—one that supports a humane dimension which will transform the culture of school leadership, even in the most challenging of times. This book belongs in the hands of every school leader whose goal is to make a difference in the lives of students, teachers, and administrators."
-Richard and Jo Anne Vacca, Professors Emeriti
Kent State University  

"Transforming the Culture of School Leadership is a must-read for teachers and administrators who want to transcend roles so often found in today's schools--roles that produce noncooperation, mistrust, and isolation between teaching and administrative staff."
-Jeffrey Harr, Teacher/Curriculum Leader
Stanton Middle School, OH

Compassion leads to cooperation, and personal transformation is the key to lasting school change!

How do successful schools create meaningful change? How can stakeholders improve and impact final decisions in the change process? Lasting organizational improvement and effective leadership blossom in climates of compassion, trust, and productive relationships. The authors describe the key to true organizational transformation in the one-on-one conversations and relationships that take place in a school. Personal transformation, one person at a time, is the key to building a team of educators who are heading in the same direction for the best interests of students, teachers, and administrators. This exploration of the Humane Dimension of school leadership illustrates the lasting effects of transformed school cultures.

Transforming the Culture of School Leadership melds research, theory, and the spiritual aspects of educational leadership to demonstrate how to encourage personal transformation. Giancola and Hutchison draw on a combined 50 years of classroom and school experience to relate their observations about the Humane Dimension including:

  • Developing a team before developing a vision
  • Creating a climate of win/win consensus building, negotiating, and decision making
  • Helping team members become leaders
  • Implementing curriculum-driven staff development
A culture of transformation nurtured through the Humane Dimension improves districts, strengthens schools, and empowers educators!

 
Foreword by Richard Hawthorne
 
Preface
 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Authors
 
1. Introduction to the Humane Dimension
 
2. Humane Dimension Component 1: Communication Based on Trust
 
3. Humane Dimension Component 2: Empowering Relationships
 
4. Humane Dimension Component 3: Other-Centered Purpose
 
5. Humane Dimension Component 4: Personal and Organizational Transformation
 
6. Elements of a Transformed Leadership Culture
 
7. Elements of a Transformed Teacher Culture
 
8. Handling Challenges and Pitfalls
 
9. Evidence of the Humane Dimension in Schools
 
Resource A. Staff Development Activities for Component 1: Communication Based on Trust
 
Resource B. Staff Development Activities for Component 2: Empowering Relationships
 
Resource C. Staff Development Activities for Component 3: Other-Centered Purpose
 
Resource D. Staff Development Activities for Component 4: Personal and Organizational Transformation
 
Resource E. Adventure Education Center: Overview
 
Resource F. A Generic Process of Procedures for Win/Win
 
References and Suggested Readings
 
Index

"Transforming the Culture of School Leadership is a must-read for teachers and administrators who want to transcend roles so often found in today's schools--roles that produce noncooperation, mistrust, and isolation between teaching and administrative staff."

Jeffrey Harr, Teacher/Curriculum Leader
Stanton Middle School, OH


"In an era of accountability, it is all too easy for school leadership initiatives to dehumanize the culture of the educational workplace. Yet Giancola and Hutchison provide an alternative view of school leadership—one that supports a humane dimension which will transform the culture of school leadership, even in the most challenging of times. This book belongs in the hands of every school leader whose goal is to make a difference in the lives of students, teachers, and administrators"

Richard and Jo Anne Vacca, Emeriti Professors
Kent State University

“To read this book is to understand that education’s passage from semi-professional to professional status must necessarily traverse the human dimension so ably mapped by the authors.”

James Henderson, Professor of Curriculum Studies
Kent State University

"This book is for everyone in administration as well as those who would like to be. It will make you want to be a better administrator and in the process make you a better leader."

Stephen Thomas, Professor and Coordinator, Educational Administration
Kent State University

"In my years as a high school principal, I have read countless books and journals about leadership and school building. What Giancola and Hutchison have done is to move the conversation about school leadership away from managing people to building a culture where everyone is valued."

Roger Sidoti, Principal
Theodore Roosevelt High School, OH

"The authors see schools as they should be and ask 'why not?'" There are no limits to what we can accomplish together using this humanistic approach."

Rebecca Dunlap, Third Grade Teacher
Longcoy Elementary School, OH

"'Humane administration...', sadly, that sounds like an oxymoron to some on the teachers' side of the equation. How exciting, then, to read such an innovative and thoughtful proposal for school reform. Giancola and Hutchison present ideas and strategies that should resonate strongly with current and prospective school administrators and faculty."
-Wendy L. Sims, Professor of Music Education & Associate Chair
Department of Learning, Teaching & Curriculum

Wendy L. Sims, Professor of Music Education & Associate Chair
Department of Learning, Teaching & Curriculum
Key features

 

  • Identifies the humanistic side of school leadership and school culture
  • Offers real-life examples and strategies toward achieving the "humane dimension"
  • Integrates glimpses of the "humane dimension" in action
  • Includes extra resources for school leaders
  • Includes voices from schools that operate within the "humane dimension"

 

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