Where the Wild Things Learn!: Playing the W.I.L.D. Card: A School Leader's Guide to Understanding the Non-Conforming Student with Humor and Heart

Where the Wild Things Learn! Playing the WILD Card: A School Leader’s Guide to Taming Chaos with Humor and Heart is the survival guide every school leader needs—but never knew they did.

In a profession where unpredictability is the norm and chaos is just another part of the
job, Dr. Candice Vance Anderson delivers a refreshing, insightful, and often hilarious
take on leadership in education. Drawing from research, real-world experiences, and a
deep understanding of what makes schools thrive, this book explores how embracing
the “wild” in education—rather than fighting it—can lead to transformative leadership.

Through engaging anecdotes, expert-backed strategies, and the power of humor, Dr.
Vance equips leaders with the tools they need to adapt, connect, and create thriving
school cultures. From managing neurodiverse learners to navigating parent
partnerships, from fostering creativity to using humor as a leadership superpower, this
book provides a roadmap for turning challenges into opportunities.

Whether you're a principal, administrator, or educator looking to lead with heart (and a
little laughter), Where the Wild Things Learn will inspire you to embrace the unpredictability of
school leadership and make a lasting impact.

Because in education, sometimes the best strategy is to play the wild card.

Dr. Vance-Anderson has danced through classrooms, boardrooms, and auditoriums, making her mark as an educator, leader, and advocate across the southern region of the United States, but specifically, the great state of Mississippi. From elementary scribblers to high school dreamers, she's shared in their triumphs and tears, navigating the vibrant, complex world of education with heart and humor.Armed with a wealth of knowledge, Dr. Vance-Anderson doesn't just know her stuff-she lives it. Her groundbreaking dissertation explored Parent Perspectives on Selecting Charter Schools for Their Special Needs Children, cementing her reputation as a passionate advocate for students of all abilities.Her career has been a kaleidoscope of roles: College Professor, Educational Consultant, Special Education Director, Teacher, Guidance Counselor, Assistant Principal, Interim Principal, and even Technical Assistance provider for the Mississippi Department of Education. She's graced countless educational panels, tackling tough topics like transitions for students with disabilities and the social-emotional hurdles faced by learners in urban and high-poverty areas.At home, Dr. Vance-Anderson wears her favorite titles: Mom to 4, and Wife to Adrien Anderson, a fellow educator. Whether she's transforming schools or swapping stories at the dinner table, her life's mission remains the same-nurturing minds, sparking joy, and unlocking the wild potential in every "wild child" she meets.Dr. Vance-Anderson's debut book weaves wisdom and wit, shining a spotlight on the generational quirks, creative strategies, and delightful chaos that come with educating the brilliantly bold and wonderfully disruptive.