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
May 2012 | 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
2. Using Leaders' Strengths to Create and Maintain a Positive School Climate
3. Mind Matters: What Leaders Need to Know About Students
4. Best of Class: Leading Teachers
5. The Rubber Meets the Road: Supervision and Evaluation
6. Shared Leadership and Leading Teacher's Strengths
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."
Johns Hopkins University School of Education