A provocative guide to leading school change and to transforming schools into democratic learning communities. -- Robert Evans, author of The Human Side of School Change and Seven Secrets of The Savvy School Leader This book features a compelling guide for principals in navigating the '10 rules' of educational leadership while helping to define a new, comprehensive role for principals as 21st century school leaders. It offers a practical balance between theory and practice and as such, is sure to be extremely useful for novice and experienced principals alike. In addition, it presents an inspiring narrative that champions the role of education in preserving democracy and freedom. -- Gail Connelly, executive director, National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) Principals as Maverick Leaders is itself maverick-like. It offers a non-traditional view on the art and practice of leading schools. The concepts addressed are linked to many years of experiential practice but are viewed through the lens of the classical thinkers and philosophers. The conversational dialogue is an interesting medium for linking today's realities of leading schools with the great philosophers. This book would serve as a good resource in higher education for an educational philosophy course or an organizational theory course. -- Gerald N. Tirozzi, Ph.D., executive director, the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) The narrative structure of Principals as Maverick Leaders guides readers to re-think classical theories in terms of the challenges of contemporary school reform strategies. Those principals who embark on this journey through interdisciplinary intersections will find that they have created a roadmap for their enriched professional reflection and have arrived at a new vision of integrated nature of meaningful transformation of our educational organizations. -- Marylu A. Coviello, retired high school principal and chief school administrator A revolutionary look from inside our school system. When the people who really care about our schools read this book, they might bring about the very changes needed to make our public schools what they were originally intended to be-a democratic institution. What a concept! -- Jona Henry, retired high school teacher If you have ever reflected upon our schools as complex structures and questioned the reasons our schools have evolved into stagnant organizations, this is a book that will have immense meaning for you. Chirichello and Walker have written an inspirational book of stories and reflections that capture the essence of schools as democratic, integrated, and complex organizations. It is relevant, real-life, and provides hope for those who have asked, 'Why am I doing this?' It is a must read for current and future school leaders and anyone else truly interested in improving the culture of schools and the teaching-learning process. I plan to use this book as required reading in my graduate leadership and organizational culture classes. -- George F. Sharp, Ed.D., retired superintendent and assistant professor, The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey This book is a MUST read for all potential school administrators; especially those who see themselves as 'trailblazers', 'risk takers', or 'innovators' who are truly interested and committed to reform. As a principal and superintendent, I would put this book on the required reading list for all of the administrators in my district. It is an outstanding practical guide for those who wish to become a successful educator. -- George Blek, Ed. D., retired principal and superintendent At last! 'The road less traveled' takes us on a fresh, new approach to the education of our children. Wonderful ideas that will strengthen and secure our democracy. -- Roslyn Fallick, retired teacher and school administrator
