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The Brain and Strengths Based School Leadership
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The Brain and Strengths Based School Leadership

  • Sheryl G. Feinstein - University of Nebraska, Kearney, Augustana College, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, University of South Dakota, USA
  • Robert W. Kiner - Augustana College, Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Foreword by Jerry D. Weast



July 2011 | 224 pages | Corwin
Sheryl Feinstein's new book, The Brain and Strength Based School Leadership, demonstrates how educational leaders can use a ground-breaking prototype of leadership strengths plus key concepts about the workings of the brain to hone their own school leadership styles. Placing current research from neuroscience within the context of school leadership concerns, this book, co-authored by veteran administrator and instructional leader Robert Kiner, offers guidance on how to identify leadership strengths as falling into one of four domains or styles: executing, relationship building, influencing, and strategic thinking. The book then details how educators can capitalize on these strengths while employing brain-compatible strategies for everything from creating a positive school culture, to mentoring and supervising teachers, keeping track of standardized testing, fostering community partnerships, using data to inform curriculum and instruction, etc . Perhaps the most important chapter is about shared leadership and how to build on the strengths of teachers and staff to create great leadership teams and effect change. Throughout, the links between learning and neural wiring are made clear, with informative asides on mirror neurons, higher level thinking skills, the plasticity of the brain, the effects of stress, and other fascinating and pertinent facts emerging from current research. Discussion questions at the end of each chapter serve both as a review of the rich information presented, and an invitation to explore putting it to use in your own school or district.
 
Dedication
 
Foreword by Jerry D. Weast
 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Authors
 
Introduction
 
1. With the Leader's Brain in Mind
Strength-Based Leadership

 
The Workings of the Human Brain

 
Conclusion

 
Discussion Questions

 
 
2. Using Leaders' Strengths to Create and Maintain a Positive School Climate
What's the Point?

 
The Brain and School Climate

 
Putting It Into Practice

 
Instruction and Learning

 
Physical Environment

 
Conclusion

 
Discussion Questions

 
 
3. Mind Matters: What Leaders Need to Know About Students
The Elementary Student's Brain

 
The Secondary Students' Brain

 
Conclusion

 
Discussion Questions

 
 
4. Best of Class: Leading Teachers
Curriculum and Instruction

 
Assessment 101

 
Instruction

 
Technology: Your Brain On-Line

 
Conclusion

 
Discussion Questions

 
 
5. The Rubber Meets the Road: Supervision and Evaluation
Extreme School Make-Over

 
Empowerment Supervision

 
Evaluation

 
Conclusion

 
Discussion Questions

 
 
6. Shared Leadership and Leading Teacher's Strengths
The Human Brain

 
Strength-Based Shared Leadership

 
Leading Teacher's Strengths

 
Conclusion

 
Discussion Questions

 
 
Appendix I: Stress, Teachers, and Students
 
Appendix II: Family and Community School Partnerships
 
References
 
Index

"The authors help fill a void in recent work at the intersection of the brain sciences and education. The potential for neuro- and cognitive sciences to inform educators remains largely untapped. Principals and other school leaders should take a keen interest in the ideas set forth in this unique volume."

Mariale Hardiman, Assistant Dean and Dept. Chair, Neuro-Education Initiative
Johns Hopkins University School of Education

Sample Materials & Chapters

Foreword

Introduction


For instructors

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ISBN: 9781412988452
£31.99