"In this inventive ′self-help′ handbook for educators, Dennis Sparks, the voice of professional development in our field, offers a compelling message: the power to lead and to learn resides within each of us if we will only summons it forth and live by it. He challenges--and helps us--not to do something but to be something different."Roland S. Barth, Educator
"This is clearly one of the most engaging, useful, and deeply relevant books on leading schools in print. A must read for all thoughtful principals and educational leaders."
Kent D. Peterson, Professor, Dept of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Lead for change by creating learning in your school! If you are ready for a change in your school this book will help you focus on results and develop powerful thoughts, words, and actions geared toward reaching your goals. By investigating theories found in education, leadership, and philosophy, you′ll learn to create useable strategies for your school by engaging in next-action thinking.
Leading for Results consists of 26 short, interactive essays to aid leaders in reflecting on change and committing to action. Dennis Sparks, Executive Director of the National Staff Development Council, shows how school leaders can be accountable and achieve meaningful results for schools, districts, and their personal lives. Incorporating cutting-edge theories about improving the quality of leadership, teaching, and student learning, you′ll turn ideas into action by:
- Examining your assumptions and producing results-oriented thoughts, words, and actions
- Deepening your understanding of important issues related to the interpersonal challenges of change
- Engaging in next-action thinking and applying what you′ve learned
The ability to lead for change is within you. Begin by changing yourself, then engage with others to improve teaching and learning in your school or school system.
Dennis Sparks has been executive director of the 10,000-member National Staff Development Council since 1984. He previously was an independent educational consultant and director of the Northwest Staff Development Center. Sparks has been a teacher, counselor, and co-director of an alternative high school. He completed his doctorate in counseling at the University of Michigan in 1976, and has taught at several universities. He speaks frequently throughout North America on topics such as powerful staff development and effective teaching.
Sparks has authored Designing Powerful Professional Development for Teachers and Principals (NSDC, 2002) and Conversations that Matter (NSDC, 2001), a collection of his JSD interviews since 1991. He is co-author with Stephanie Hirsh of Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn (NSDC, 2000) and A New Vision for Staff Development (ASCD/NSDC, 1997). He also co-authored, with Joan Richardson, What is Staff Development Anyway? (NSDC, 1998).
Sparks’ column appears each month NSDC′s newsletter, Results. His interviews with leading educational thinkers also appear in NSDC′sJournal of Staff Development. In addition, his articles have appeared in a variety of publications, including Educational Leadership, Phi Delta Kappan, The American School Board Journal, The Principal, and The School Administrator. Sparks’ interviews and articles are accessible on the NSDC web site at www.nsdc.org/library/authors/sparks.cfm.
