The Constructivist Leader

The Constructivist Leader provides educational leaders at all levels with a conceptual framework for leadership defined as reciprocal, purposeful learning in community. The updated Second Edition of this best-selling book enables readers to carry this constructivist vision and purpose forward, while effectively implementing standards-based reform, authentic assessment, and constructivist-based accountability. This new edition features: an expanded theory of Constructivist Leadership reflecting the most recent thinking in leadership, learning, and ethical communities; a comprehensive approach to issues of equity, diversity, and multiculturalism; additional strategies for the implementation of constructivist leadership practice; principles and examples to guide new approaches to accountability; and much more!

This book analyzes and synthesizes key elements of the most recent and dynamic emergent theory and practice of leadership--constructivist leadership. It presents the theory and practice in a down-to-earth, easy-to-read approach that removes fear and anxiety, using case studies revealing both the underlying philosophy and practical strategies both to teach and to lead constructivistically. Constructivist leadership is the most democratic form of leadership and can be used to reform schools to make them considerably more productive, effective, and healthy for kids and faculty, as the case studies demonstrate. Strategies are presented in pictorial, step-by-step, easy-to-follow diagrams. The book offers insights into the keys that make organizations and individuals tick and then to learn to use these insights in practical, constructive, and constructivist leadership approaches.

A compelling new look at the role that teachers must play in the future of schooling. Explains: * Why teachers must take the lead in creating a new context for teaching and learning * How "constructivist leaders" make meaning of learning * What an ecological perspective will do to initiate and sustain learning communities in schools * How the parallel roles of leadership with adults and leadership with children emerge in the role of a teacher leader * The commitments, knowledge, and skills that are essential for teachers as leaders For everyone with a stake in the future of our educational system.

During the past quarter century, conceptions of leadership have evolved in concert with breakthrough discoveries in science and generative learning. Liberating Leadership Capacity captures these new ideas through the integration of the authors’ earlier works in constructivist leadership and leadership capacity. What emerges is a pathway through which educators can become the primary designers of their own learning and that of their students, thus creating sustainable systems of high leadership capacity. This vision of leadership reframes professional learning designs and knowledge creation, describing how these ideas are richly manifested in local, national, and international programs. The context is democratic communities; the learning is constructivist; the leadership is shared. The result is wise schools, organizations, and societies. Liberating Leadership Capacity speaks to all adult learners who are engaged in educational improvement. Book Features: A new concept of leadership as fostering capacity through the complex, dynamic processes of purposeful, reciprocal learning.Leadership strategies constructed from the values of learning, democracy, equity and diversity.Professional learning designed to involve community members in building leadership capacity. A timely approach for the effective implementation of the Every Child Succeeds Act (S. 1177).An in-depth analysis of the standards movement through the lens of capacity building.An understanding of systemic change as an organic process arising from practice rather than being imposed on practice—approaches that unleash a sense of agency and wisdom. “This book strikes a chord with those who believe that emerging leadership should define the experiences of students and teachers alike.” —Deborah Walker, Collaborative for Teaching and Learning (CTL) “The authors have designed a model that is at once sustainable, distributive, ecological, and transformational.” —Dean Fink, author and consultant “Describes organizational conditions that promote skillful dialogue, continual learning, building trust, and sharing a common vision among members. In such schools teachers become the leaders of learning and students become the leaders of the future.” —Arthur L. Costa, professor emeritus, California State University, Sacramento

Effective leaders and organizations blossom in productive climates. Personal transformation, one person at a time is the key to building a team of empowered educators.

These 27 actual case studies (plus two quick-hitting research chapters) provide practical, down-to-earth, hands-on strategies that teachers, supervisors, and administrators in all sorts of settings can use to improve their professional operation through the gradual use of constructivist practices. They point to the increased personal and professional satisfaction teachers experience and to students' increased achievement and satisfaction that results when practitioners pull off constructivist processes. Additionally, these cases tell how to do it safely.

Building on the success of the first edition, this book provides a focused up-to-date introduction to the current themes and dimensions of educational leadership through contributions from some of the leading authors in the field. Each chapter introduces the reader to a key aspect of leadership. This new edition has been fully updated to include recent developments, new chapter summaries and further reading, and a new chapter on Developing Leadership. Written in an accessible style, this book is essential reading for school leaders who wish to have a better understanding of their leadership role. It is also suitable for Masters/Doctoral students worldwide, and will give those on professional development courses a valuable insight into school leadership.

Educational administrators know that leadership requires hundreds of judgments each day that require a sensitivity and understanding of various leadership strategies. Bridging the gap between the academic and practical world, A Guide to Effective School Leadership Theories provides an exploration of ten dominant leadership strategies to give school leaders a solid basis in theory and practical application. Demonstrating the advantages and drawbacks of each theory, readers are encouraged to discover the most appropriate strategy, or combination of strategies, that will best enable their school to achieve positive results. Each Chapter Includes: Introductory vignettes grounding the leadership theory in practice Discussion of the history, development, and utility of the strategy Research findings for further exploration of the theory End-of-chapter questions and activities designed to connect theory to practice This book is essential reading for aspiring and practicing school leaders who wish to have a better understanding of their leadership role. Providing a focused, up-to-date introduction to the current themes and dimensions of educational leadership, A Guide to Effective School Leadership Theories presents all the tools necessary to analyze and implement effective leadership in readers’ own settings.