Creating the best school experiences for students and educators isn’t about doing more; it’s about doing the right things.
School can be amazing. But for far too long, many practices have continued simply because of the phrase “that is the way we have always done it.” The status quo and average results are no longer acceptable!
In Stop. Right. Now. authors and education leaders Jimmy Casas and Jeffrey Zoul identify 39 practices, programs, processes, philosophies, and people problems that schools must eliminate in order to improve education for all involved. Schools are inspiring and joyous places, but they can be so much better. In this book, the authors invite you to join a campaign to do less by. . .
- Putting an end to "more solely for the sake of more"
- Not doing things merely because they have always been done
- Saying no to what doesn’t work
- Finding better ways to serve students—and the entire school community
"As educators, we often spend too much time searching for the next big thing in education which often distracts us from what matters most: self-reflection and a thorough diagnosis of our own professional practice within our schools. That's why this book will be so valuable to school leaders as it's sure to spark some long overdue conversations and force us all to "reimagine" how we can create better schools for kids. It all begins with you and finding the courage to change the status quo."
--Dr. Greg Goins, Director of Educational Leadership/Professor of Education at Georgetown College (Kentucky)
"Really? Stop. Right. Now. should be required reading for all educators and administrators wanting to make a difference in the lives of students. Casas and Zoul will challenge your thinking, enhance your teaching, and impact the way you lead with these 39 STOPS to Make Schools Better. Each STOP is paired with insight and direction on how to do better. What a rare and powerful combination of inspiration and practical application! This book should be in the hands of every educator and administrator in your district. Clear your to-do list; these are the 39 tasks needed to revolutionize education."
--Kelly Croy, Director of Innovation & Instruction at Port Clinton City Schools
"As our world continues to change at breakneck speed, our educational institutions continue to look for innovative solutions that will prepare our children to find success. In Stop. Right. Now., Casas and Zoul invite educators to examine and discuss conventional and systemic issues in schools that should be discontinued. Not only do the authors explain in detail how these often deep-rooted concepts and practices can hinder student learning, but they also provide attainable steps to move away from "we've always done it this way" to doing what is better for all students. Stop. Right. Now. is a great resource to generate discussion and reflection for all educators.--Michelle BaldwinInstructional Coach, Anastasis Academy (CO)
"Stop. Right. Now. is an essential read for any educator, regardless of their title, who is passionate about continuing on a path towards excellence. Too often, practices within our schools continue long after we remember why they began and we allow them to continue even after we realize they are ineffective. Casas and Zoul call for all educators to evaluate the current processes within their organization while providing expert advice that can be put into action immediately. This practical resource will lead to powerful conversations among you and your colleagues and guide you to find new and better ways to serve your school."
--Kheila Dunkerly, Innovation Specialist Bermudian Springs School District
"I am in my 33rd year as a high school administrator and have not found a more practical book that all administrators should read. This book makes you reflect on the many school practices we do and to consider stopping them. We need to unlearn many of our practices we learned and Stop. Right. Now. will assist us in our reflections. This is a MUST READ!"
--Greg AndersonAssistant Principal, Casa Grande Union High School (AZ)
"Stop. Right. Now. and get copies for your Leadership Team, School Improvement Team, Teacher Leaders, or any group that will assist in moving change within your district or organization. Jimmy and Jeff have come out with a book for what we, as educational leaders, have been trying to say for years. They identify the item must stop, the "Why" we need to stop, and realistic and rational suggestions for change to stop these malpractices in education...right now."
--Jason C. Gribble, Director of Curriculum, Innovation, and Grants for Riverview Community School District (MI)
