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Future Focused Leaders
Foreword by Salome Thomas-EL
With three main areas of focus, Relate, Innovate, and Invigorate, this forward-thinking book provides practical strategies and tools to maintain positive change within any school.
- Grade Level: PreK-12
- ISBN: 9781506376035
- Published By: Corwin
- Year: 2017
- Page Count: 192
- Publication date: June 02, 2017
Review Copies
Review copies may be requested by individuals planning to purchase 10 or more copies for a team or considering a book for adoption in a higher ed course. To request a review copy, contact sales@corwin.com.
Description
Promote the skills and experiences that equip students to thrive in the future!
Future Focused Leaders concentrates on three areas, Relate, Innovate, and Invigorate, that will engage and empower school leaders to effectively prepare students and educators for the future. This book provides best practices, practical tools, and research-based strategies that educators can immediately apply for sustainable innovation in their leadership. With maintaining positive change in mind, this book also offers:
- Examples, vignettes, and activities for reflection and action
- A self-evaluation rubric to check your ability to relate, innovate, and invigorate
- Visit Chase Learning for video and audio resources, as well as a leadership simulation for team practice
Author(s)
Bill Ziegler
Dr. Bill Ziegler is a high school principal in Pennsylvania. He was recently honored as the 2016 Pennsylvania Principal of the Year, the 2015 National Association of Secondary School Principals Digital Award Winner, and was selected to serve on the United States team of School Leaders to the Great Leaders Summit in China. Dr. Ziegler has over 24 years of service in public education where he has served as a school leader for 20 years. Bill was recently selected to serve on the team to rewrite the NASSP/NAESP Breaking Ranks publications for school leaders.
He has served as a high school social studies teacher, high school assistant principal, middle school principal, and he currently serves as a high school principal. Bill also earned Apple Teacher certification and was recently selected to participate in an Apple Research Study for School Leaders. Bill is honored to be part of the Corwin Consulting Team that provides high quality professional development to school leaders. Dr. Ziegler also serves as an adjunct professor at Temple University in their Masters of Education department. Bill is very active in his state; he served as the President of the Pennsylvania Principals Association in 2014 and 2016 and was honored to be selected as Treasurer and Southeast Regional Representative for the same association. Dr. Ziegler presents regularly around the world on School Leadership. He has presented at national conferences such as the National Association of Secondary School Principals, Association of Curriculum & Supervision Development, International Society for Technology in Education, and many more. Bill spoke on Capitol Hill to lobby for better ERate coverage for schools throughout the United States.
Bill is the owner of Chase Learning (https://chaselearning.org), a private educational consulting firm designed to provide high quality and engaging professional development to strengthen school leaders throughout the United States. Personally, Bill is married to his beautiful wife, Kim and they have two high school aged children. Bill can often be found fly fishing in the streams of PA, cheering on his favorite Philly sports teams, or playing his saxophone.
Watch Bill's video
Dave Ramage
Table of Contents
Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
Chapter 1: Conversational Leadership: Leadership Driven by Relationships, Listening, and Communication
School Leader’s Story: Listening to Student Voice
The Conversation Is the Relationship
More Meaningful Meetings
School Culture
School Leader’s Story: Building Authentic Relationships
Relate, Innovate, Invigorate Activities
School Leader Simulation (SIM): The Bully Teacher
Chapter 2: Communication Builds Community: Telling Your School Story Together
School Leader’s Story: Telling Your School’s Story
Branding Your School
Digital Media Tools
Relevance
School Leader’s Story: Communicating by Relating
Relate, Innovate, Invigorate Activities
Chapter 3: Connecting to Make a Difference: Building Relationships With the Entire School Community
School Leader’s Story: Connecting Students With Their Community
Connecting for Learning
School, It’s Not Just for Students Anymore
School Leader’s Story: Engaging the Community
Partnerships to Strengthen Learning
School Leader’s Story: Making a Difference for Others
Relate, Innovate, Invigorate Activities
Chapter 4: Shift in How We Do School: The Changing Architecture of Learning and Schooling
School Leader’s Story: Increasing Parent Involvement
Holding Back Innovation: Comfort, Cost, and Courage
A Future Crisis: Pulling Away From the Past to Save the Future
Physical Environment
School Leader’s Story: Empowering Students
Relate, Innovate, Invigorate Activities
Chapter 5: Digital Leadership, Learning, and Technology: Digital School Leaders Making a Difference for Students
School Leader’s Story: Modeling Digital Learning
You Think You Have Problems?
SwERI Framework
Future Design Learning Environments
School Leader’s Story: Technology Supports Student Interest
Relate, Innovate, Invigorate Activities
Chapter 6: Nurturing Creativity: Strategies for Leaders to Inspire Creativity in Their Teachers, Students, and Parents
School Leader’s Story: Creating Space for Creativity
The Fourth Revolution
Growing Creativity
School Leader’s Story: Creative Solutions for Authentic Problems
Relate, Innovate, Invigorate Activities
Chapter 7: Inspiring Others to Greatness: Principals Inspiring Teachers, Students, and Parents for Amazing Things
School Leader’s Story: Getting All Voices Heard
Making a Lasting Difference
Culture Changes in Education
Returning to the Call
School Leader’s Story: Community Members Inspiring Students
Relate, Innovate, Invigorate Activities
Chapter 8: Building on Strengths: Leadership That Focuses on Strengths and Celebrates the Success of Others
School Leader’s Story: A House Undivided
The Power of Team
Focus on Strengths
School Leader’s Story: Stronger Together: Collaborating for Success
Relate, Innovate, Invigorate Activities
Chapter 9: Servant Leadership: Serving the Students, Staff, and Community to Ensure They Get What They Need to Learn
School Leader’s Story: Serving the School Community
Kindergarten Lessons
School Leader’s Story: Supporting Students’ Ideas: “Make It Happen”
Relate, Innovate, Invigorate Activities
Chapter 10: Learning Is the Goal: Leadership That Resists Trends and Quick Fixes
School Leader’s Story: Supporting Leadership Throughout the School for Learning
A Lead Learner
Do What Matters
Resist the Quick Fix
Keys to Learning as School Leaders
Celebrate Learning
School Leader’s Story: Changing a School Culture for Learning
Relate, Innovate, Invigorate Activities
Appendix
References
Index
Reviews
"Future Focused Leaders delivers on its promise to provoke a dialogue about meaningful change. Learn from leaders from every corner of the country, and hear how they are innovating to meet the needs of all students. This truly is a book about a better tomorrow, and how to get started today."
Dr. Brad Gustafson, National Distinguished Principal and Author of Renegade Leadership"Future Focused Leaders delivers on its promise to provoke a dialogue about meaningful change. Learn from leaders from every corner of the country, and hear how they are innovating to meet the needs of all students. This truly is a book about a better tomorrow, and how to get started today."
Greenwood Elementary School, Plymouth, MN
"In my own work I have come to the conclusion that the best ideas go from practice to theory. If you believe this, as I do, Future Focused Leadership is for you. Ziegler and Ramage have provided us with lots of ideas, stories and key takeaways from many practitioners who have done it, and reflected on what they have done. Be prepared to be a proactive consumer of the ideas in this book, and you will be amply rewarded."
Michael Fullan, Professor Emeritus"In my own work I have come to the conclusion that the best ideas go from practice to theory. If you believe this, as I do, Future Focused Leadership is for you. Ziegler and Ramage have provided us with lots of ideas, stories and key takeaways from many practitioners who have done it, and reflected on what they have done. Be prepared to be a proactive consumer of the ideas in this book, and you will be amply rewarded."
University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
"Are you looking for ideas on how to build a better school community where technology isn’t an outlier but part of the core conversation? Future Focused Leaders: Relate, Innovate, and Invigorate for Real Change by Bill Ziegler and Dave Ramage is the book for you. Through practical stories from practicing K-12 leaders around the country, to their Relate, Innovate, and Invigorate framework, you will walk away with a plethora of ideas and actionable steps to get those ideas started."
Peter DeWitt, Ed.D., Corwin Author/Consultant"Are you looking for ideas on how to build a better school community where technology isn’t an outlier but part of the core conversation? Future Focused Leaders: Relate, Innovate, and Invigorate for Real Change by Bill Ziegler and Dave Ramage is the book for you. Through practical stories from practicing K-12 leaders around the country, to their Relate, Innovate, and Invigorate framework, you will walk away with a plethora of ideas and actionable steps to get those ideas started."
Finding Common Ground blog (Education Week), Albany, NY
"As Bill Ziegler and Dave Ramage of this informative text note, “learning is the goal.” They relentlessly focus on that goal and demonstrate the ways in which school leaders can ensure that all students do, in fact, learn. Their work advances the equity agenda and contributes to the overall understanding about the ways in which school leaders can worker smarter, not harder. I appreciated the examples in this book that can be used to inform the practices of school leaders everywhere."
Douglas Fisher Ph.D., Professor of Educational Leadership"As Bill Ziegler and Dave Ramage of this informative text note, “learning is the goal.” They relentlessly focus on that goal and demonstrate the ways in which school leaders can ensure that all students do, in fact, learn. Their work advances the equity agenda and contributes to the overall understanding about the ways in which school leaders can worker smarter, not harder. I appreciated the examples in this book that can be used to inform the practices of school leaders everywhere."
San Diego State University, San Deigo, CA
"Future Focused Leaders is a fantastic resource for administrators at all levels of school leadership. The success stories lend themselves to change that can be made immediately to help students, staff, and communities. The Relate, Innovate and Invigorate framework is a wonderful model to enhance leadership capacity through activities that will move your school and district forward!"
Joe Sanfelippo, PhD, Superintendent"Future Focused Leaders is a fantastic resource for administrators at all levels of school leadership. The success stories lend themselves to change that can be made immediately to help students, staff, and communities. The Relate, Innovate and Invigorate framework is a wonderful model to enhance leadership capacity through activities that will move your school and district forward!"
Fall Creek School District, Fall Creek, WI
"What a smorgasbord of greatness! Bill & Dave will exceed your expectations in all they poured into this book… including their hearts. Dynamic and realistic tips with real examples and tools. I've not seen a more inclusive book!"
LaVonna Roth, International Speaker/Consultant"What a smorgasbord of greatness! Bill & Dave will exceed your expectations in all they poured into this book… including their hearts. Dynamic and realistic tips with real examples and tools. I've not seen a more inclusive book!"
Creator & Founder of Ignite Your S.H.I.N.E.®, Riverview, FL
"The book Future Focused Leaders: Relate, Innovate, and Invigorate for Real Change by Bill Ziegler and Dave Ramage is a must have for all leaders and aspiring leaders. Bill and Dave frame their work in a way that makes it accessible to all readers because not only do they provide ideas and share their thinking but they also spotlight real life examples of things happening in schools across our country today! Bill and Dave speak to the importance of communication in leadership and how that impacts relationships, engagement, and overall success of the community. This book serves as a guide of what could be when leaders make a dedicated and intentional effort to change things!"
Dr. Tony Sinanis, Lead Learner in, Author, Speaker & Presenter"The book Future Focused Leaders: Relate, Innovate, and Invigorate for Real Change by Bill Ziegler and Dave Ramage is a must have for all leaders and aspiring leaders. Bill and Dave frame their work in a way that makes it accessible to all readers because not only do they provide ideas and share their thinking but they also spotlight real life examples of things happening in schools across our country today! Bill and Dave speak to the importance of communication in leadership and how that impacts relationships, engagement, and overall success of the community. This book serves as a guide of what could be when leaders make a dedicated and intentional effort to change things!"
Plainedge Public Schools, Massapequa, NY
"This project is a wonderful tool for a lead learner to develop skills for next level impact. These practical and powerful examples from #educhampions are powerful, practical, and will make a difference for students and staff in your school."
Derek McCoy, Principal"This project is a wonderful tool for a lead learner to develop skills for next level impact. These practical and powerful examples from #educhampions are powerful, practical, and will make a difference for students and staff in your school."
West Rowan Middle School, Salisbury, NC
"The educational world is filled with linear ideas, one size fits all best practices, and data driven theories that continue to persuade school leaders to ultimately create second rate replicas from the past. Thankfully, Future Focused Leaders, provides hope for all students, and leaders, who are strong enough to rise up against traditional silos. It showcases a diverse group of leaders that strive on practice over theory, from across the US with exponential ideas, while providing an abundance of strategies for others to follow to create schools of tomorrow."
Glenn Robbins, Superintendent"The educational world is filled with linear ideas, one size fits all best practices, and data driven theories that continue to persuade school leaders to ultimately create second rate replicas from the past. Thankfully, Future Focused Leaders, provides hope for all students, and leaders, who are strong enough to rise up against traditional silos. It showcases a diverse group of leaders that strive on practice over theory, from across the US with exponential ideas, while providing an abundance of strategies for others to follow to create schools of tomorrow."
Tabernacle Township School District, Tabernacle, NJ
"School leaders will find many one-stop ideas that will help them innovate their school in practical, inexpensive ways."Virginia E. Kelsen, Executive Director, Career Readiness
Chaffey Joint Union High School District, Ontario CA
"Future Ready touches on all the topics that are relevant to school leaders today. Bill Ziegler and Dave Ramage hit on those nagging obstacles we face as school leaders and provide real examples of school leaders that turned obstacles into opportunities to innovate an invigorate their students, staff, and community relationships. The solutions offered in this book are unique and replicable . . . The book challenges the status quo and pushes the reader to look at obstacles as an opportunity to innovate."Nancy Alvarez, Assistant Principal
Lawson Early Childhood School, McKinney TX
"This is School Leadership 101—a comprehensive view of current and evolving leadership practices in an era of shared leadership, social networking, and envisioning the future of public education."
David G. Daniels, High School Principal"This is School Leadership 101—a comprehensive view of current and evolving leadership practices in an era of shared leadership, social networking, and envisioning the future of public education."
Susquehanna Valley High School, Conklin NY
"The authors eloquently tell stories of educators in the trenches leading change, and enhance them with innovative resources. This book contains nuggets of information that are attainable for all of us, and will be a source of reference for me when setting goals. Ziegler and Ramage have produced a must read for all school leaders, and a reflective tool for leading and managing change."
Bethany Hill, Principal"The authors eloquently tell stories of educators in the trenches leading change, and enhance them with innovative resources. This book contains nuggets of information that are attainable for all of us, and will be a source of reference for me when setting goals. Ziegler and Ramage have produced a must read for all school leaders, and a reflective tool for leading and managing change."
Central Elementary School, Rancho Cucamonga, CA
"Equity, sustainable change, innovation, moving the deep-seated attitudes of a community - these are all matters of CULTURE. These issues transcend a single classroom. None of this stuff can take hold without principal leadership. Our work is so important, and it’s crucial that we get it right. This book provides practical inspiration for all future focused leaders."
Alan Tenreiro, NASSP Principal of the Year 2016"Equity, sustainable change, innovation, moving the deep-seated attitudes of a community - these are all matters of CULTURE. These issues transcend a single classroom. None of this stuff can take hold without principal leadership. Our work is so important, and it’s crucial that we get it right. This book provides practical inspiration for all future focused leaders."
Cumberland High School, Cumberland, RI
"School and district administrators understand that the role of leadership has become more complex and changes rapidly in response to demands and expanding knowledge. A major role for school leaders is to harness the expertise in their schools to lead successful transformations. Future Focused Leaders: Relate, Innovate, and Invigorate for Real Change provides perspective, ideas for implementation, as well as inspiration for any leader. If you're looking for a book that will help you leverage digital tools, jumpstart innovation or design learning environments where creativity is encouraged and transforms learning, then look no further! Bill Ziegler and Dave Ramage have successfully curated ideas and examples that will get you on your way!"
Tammy Gibbons, Director of Professional Development & Information"School and district administrators understand that the role of leadership has become more complex and changes rapidly in response to demands and expanding knowledge. A major role for school leaders is to harness the expertise in their schools to lead successful transformations. Future Focused Leaders: Relate, Innovate, and Invigorate for Real Change provides perspective, ideas for implementation, as well as inspiration for any leader. If you're looking for a book that will help you leverage digital tools, jumpstart innovation or design learning environments where creativity is encouraged and transforms learning, then look no further! Bill Ziegler and Dave Ramage have successfully curated ideas and examples that will get you on your way!"
Association of Wisconsin School Administrators, Madison, WI
"Bill and Dave capture the essence of school leadership bringing it to life through their voices and the dynamic, authentic actions of school leaders across the nations. School leadership is about passion, people, and communication. They bring these qualities to the forefront with practical, and replicable examples that make a difference in schools nationwide. Read this and prepare to “Relate, Innovate and Invigorate”, you will be the difference."
Michael E. Allison, Principal"Bill and Dave capture the essence of school leadership bringing it to life through their voices and the dynamic, authentic actions of school leaders across the nations. School leadership is about passion, people, and communication. They bring these qualities to the forefront with practical, and replicable examples that make a difference in schools nationwide. Read this and prepare to “Relate, Innovate and Invigorate”, you will be the difference."
Hopewell High School, Aliquippa, PA
Review Copies
Review copies may be requested by individuals planning to purchase 10 or more copies for a team or considering a book for adoption in a higher ed course. To request a review copy, contact sales@corwin.com.
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