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Renegade Leadership

Creating Innovative Schools for Digital-Age Students

By: Brad R. Gustafson

Foreword by George Couros

Challenging you to increase your leadership capacity in curriculum, cultural proficiency, and school improvement, this book teaches how to merge best practice with innovation through renegade leadership.

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Product Details

Grade Level: PreK-12
ISBN: 9781506334219
Published By: Corwin
Year: 2016
Page Count: 192
Publication date: August 09, 2016

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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

Get ready to be a renegade with this how-to leadership guide.

We’re all looking for the next best app and what’s just beyond the tech horizon. But why don’t we have the same progressive appetite for pedagogy that we have for technology? Renegade leadership may just be the answer we’ve been searching for.

Merging best practice with innovation, renegade leadership demands a call to action in the digital age by creating student-centered instructional leadership that connects equity, culture, and technology. After reading this book, you will learn how to:

Apply transformational tenets of connected pedagogy to your work
Increase your leadership capacity in curriculum, instruction, cultural proficiency, and school improvement
Lead staff meetings, plan personalized professional development, and improve student learning through more responsive teaching practices

Using the latest research, vignettes from educational leaders, and profiles of inspiring renegades, this book challenges you to lead in the digital age. The only real question is…are you ready to become a renegade?

Don’t miss the free podcasts, flipped book study, and more on the Renegade Leadership website.

"Renegade Leadership is so crucial to the work that we do in education. Why can’t schools be the place that other organizations look to for innovation?"
George Couros, Innovative teaching, learning, and leadership consultant and Author of The Innovator’s Mindset; Alberta, Canada

"Dr. Brad Gustafson provides invigorating, concrete examples of strategic thinking and skills for educational leaders to fill the vacuum that exists in many educational settings. Gustafson asserts that leadership and change in education are irrevocably intertwined."
Jon Corippo, Director of Academic Innovation, CUE

"Renegade Leadership demonstrates what student-centered schools look like in the digital age. When we get relationships and pedagogy right, we can transform the very nature of learning. This is a book our students desperately need us all to read."
Erin Klein, Scholastic Top Teacher and Michigan Teacher of the Year

Author(s)

Brad R. Gustafson

Dr. Brad Gustafson is an elementary principal in Minnesota. Brad has pioneered efforts to update pedagogy so it is responsive to the needs of digital age students. He is a TEDx and keynote speaker who exudes a passion for learning that is palpable.

Brad was a national Digital Innovation in Learning Award (DILA) winner, and a Bammy Award Finalist in the category of Elementary School Principal. He was also a finalist for National Distinguished Principal in 2016. Brad’s blog, Adjusting Course, was recognized with an Editor’s Choice Content Award by Smartbrief Education. It was named as a “Must-Read” K-12 blog by EdTech Magazine, and a finalist for Best Administrator Blog by the EduBlog Awards.

Brad earned his Doctoral degree at Bethel University where his research focused on innovation and professional development. You can connect with him on Twitter via @GustafsonBrad or visit his website at www.bradgustafson.com

Table of Contents

LIST OF FIGURES

FOREWORD

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

INTRODUCTION: RENEGADES NEEDED

What Is Renegade Leadership?

Why Renegade Leadership?

The Renegade CODE

Special Features

Outcomes

CHAPTER 1. RENEGADE LEADERSHIP DEFINED

Renegade Leadership Defined

Epic Fail: Neglecting to Acknowledge Standard Work

The Code of the West

The Renegade CODE

Best Practice and Innovation

The Renegade Leadership Difference

Equity in Action

Instructional Leadership in Action

What Renegade Leadership Is Not

Real-Life Renegade: Atul Gawande

What Are We Saying “Yes” To?

Renegade Leadership Scale Directions

Double Down on Self-Reflection

CHAPTER 2. RELATIONSHIPS AND CULTURE

Relationships and Connectedness

Real-Life Renegade: Lucy Stone

Understanding School Culture

The Science of Accelerated Change

Starting a New Leadership Position

Equity in Action

Renegade Profile: Sarah Thomas

Traditions Perpetuate Mindsets

Putting People First

How to “Flip” Your Open House

Epic Fail: Putting Paperwork Before People

How to Reprioritize Relationships Through Relational Rounds

Best Practice and Innovation

Instructional Leadership in Action

Renegade Research

Double Down on School Culture

CHAPTER 3. THE RENEGADE CODE

The Renegade CODE

The Renegade CODE in Action

Epic Fail: Talking Technology Without the Mention of Pedagogy

Best Practice and Innovation

Inherently Connected

Understanding the Status Quo

Understanding State Standards

Real-Life Renegade: Jackson Pollock

Where Pedagogy Meets Innovation

Renegade Research

Modeling the Renegade CODE

Creating Culture

Renegade Profile: Adam Welcome

How to Practice the Renegade CODE

Double Down on Modeling Connected Learning

CHAPTER 4. COLLABORATION FOR DIGITAL-AGE STUDENTS

Collaboration

Real-Life Renegade: Rosa Parks

Modeling the Renegade CODE

Creating Student Wins

Creating Culture

How to Start a Collaborative Podcast

Parent Partnerships

Digital-Age Communications

Renegade Profile: Jen Hegna

Understanding the Status Quo

Fearless Collaboration

Great Minds Think Differently

Passport to Passion

Equity in Action

Trickle-Down Collaboration

Instructional Leadership in Action

Double Down on Collaboration

CHAPTER 5. OWNERSHIP: EMPOWERING DIGITAL-AGE STUDENTS

Ownership

Real-Life Renegade: Patsy Sherman

Creating Culture

Epic Fail: Underestimating What Kids Are Capable Of

Students as Stakeholders

Renegade Profile: Jennie Magiera

Amplify Student Voice

Potential Pitfalls

Creating Student Wins

How to Bring Student Ownership to Board Meetings

The Renegade Leadership Difference

True Learner Empowerment

Traditions Perpetuate Mindsets

Double Down on Student Ownership

CHAPTER 6. DIGITAL CONNECTIVITY FOR DIGITAL-AGE STUDENTS

Digital Connectivity

Real-Life Renegade: Ole Kirk Christiansen

Classrooms as Mirrors

Deeper Learning Through Flipped Instruction

Consider the Positives

How to Live-Stream a School Event

Transparency Transforms Learning

Relationships and Connectedness

Potential Pitfalls

Parent Partnerships

THINK

Social Media Scaffolding

Equity in Action

Renegade Profile: Daisy Dyer Duerr

Creating a Culture

How to Create a Culture of Connectedness Using a School Hashtag

Where Pedagogy Meets Innovation

Double Down on Digital Connectivity

CHAPTER 7. EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING IS DEEPER LEARNING

Experiential Learning

Real-Life Renegade: Noah Webster

Relationships and Connectedness

Understanding State Standards

Best Practice and Innovation

How to Facilitate Experiential Learning With Drone Technology

Where Pedagogy Meets Innovation

Creating Student Wins

Instructional Leadership in Action

Creating a Culture

Modeling the Renegade CODE

Relationships Are the Experience

Renegade Profile: Sandy Otto

Double Down on the Learning Experience

CHAPTER 8. INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP FOR THE DIGITAL AGE

Improving Practice

Real-Life Renegade: Dick Fosbury

Instructional Leadership in Action

Renegade Profile: Jill Johnson

Best Practice and Innovation

Improving Practice Through Conversation

Equity in Action

Epic Fail: Being Unprepared to Respond to Culturally Insensitive Comments

Confronting Racism Through Conversation

How to Hold a Culturally Responsive Conversation

Creating Culture

True Learner Empowerment

How to Bring MakerSpace Learning to Your School

How to Fund a MakerSpace

Transforming Learning Spaces

Improving Practice Through Renegade Leadership

Double Down on Improving Practice

CHAPTER 9. PERSONALIZED PD TO EMPOWER EDUCATORS

Microcredentialing and Digital Badges

Real-Life Renegade: Dave Grohl

Amplify Student Voice

True Learner Empowerment

Renegade Profile: Sheilah Jefferson-Isaac

How to Create Breakout Sessions for Staff PD

Instructional Leadership in Action

Creating Culture

Modeling the Renegade CODE

Renegade Profile: Todd Nesloney

Renegade Research

How to Cultivate Connected PD

How to Organize an Edcamp

Bring the Edcamp Experience to Your Staff

Creating Student Wins

Putting People First

Best Practice and Innovation

Epic Fail: Undercommunicating Change

Double Down on PD

CHAPTER 10. ACTIVATE YOUR RENEGADE LEADERSHIP

Six Subtle Shifts

Subtle Shift 1: Help Mentor Teachers

Double Down on Mentoring

Subtle Shift 2: Make Our Own Learning Visible

Renegade Profile: Jon Corippo

Double Down on Learning

Subtle Shift 3: Celebrate and Support New Teachers

Renegade Profile: Jimmy Casas

Double Down on Support

Subtle Shift 4: Prioritize 10 Percent–Type Conversations

Double Down on 10 Percent–Type Conversations

Subtle Shift 5: Revitalize Hiring Practices

Double Down on Hiring

Subtle Shift 6: Focus on a Pedagogy That Amplifies Learning

Double Down on Focus

Call to Action

RESOURCES

REFERENCES

INDEX

Reviews

It is important that we start to think differently about leadership. Renegade Leadership is so crucial to the work that we do in education. If we do change right, schools can be a place where we are not just trying to catch up to the innovation around us, but we can be leading it for the entire world. Think about it . . . why can’t schools be the place that other organizations look to for innovation?

George Couros
Innovative teaching, learning, and leadership consultant and Author of The Innovator’s Mindset

"Renegade Leadership is a gold mine of inspiring stories, practical ideas and authentic examples of school transformation. It's a book that all educators should read, as we can all be leaders in improving schools no matter what our title or position."

Jennie Magiera, Author of Courageous Edventures

"Renegade Leadership demonstrates what student-centered schools look like in the digital age. When we get relationships and pedagogy right, we can transform the very nature of learning. The vulnerability of Brad Gustafson's open sharing combined with his practical advice make this an incredible classroom resource. This is a book our students desperately need us all to read."

Erin Klein, Scholastic Top Teacher and Michigan Teacher of the Year

"WOW! Renegade Leadership is loaded with great ideas that any educator could adapt in their own space. I particularly loved the concrete examples of innovation happening in Brad’s school; from the drone challenges, and community service group, to the live-streaming of events so students with sensory issues can join from their classrooms. This book offers a glimpse into the future of best practice. The pedagogy is presented by a practitioner who understands the importance of purpose and higher-level learning. I am so inspired by this text and cannot wait to try some of the ideas in our own district. This is a MUST READ for all educators and especially educational leaders!"

Tony Sinanis, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction and Author

In Renegade Leadership, Dr. Brad Gustafson provides invigorating, concrete examples of strategic thinking and skills for educational leaders to fill the vacuum that exists in many educational settings. Gustafson asserts that leadership and change in education are irrevocably intertwined. Renegade Leadership is there for everyone to partake - you just have to decide to commit.

Jon Corippo
Director of Academic Innovation, CUE

"Dr. Brad Gustafson’s compendium of workable ideas will provide school leaders with guidance and the best PD they will have had for a long time. Readers will be moved by his contagious enthusiasm as he shares the great ideas that worked in his school."

Neil MacNeill, Head Master
Ellenbrook Independent Primary School

"A great combination of discussion on pedagogy, professional learning, digital age instructional leadership, culture, and relationships – this book provides so many opportunities for reflection as well as turnkey strategies that will impact the cultures of our schools. The power of the instructional leader is captured in inspiring ways; I found myself wanting to put this in the hands of all my principals for immediate use in their buildings."

Rich Hall, Director of Elementary Education
Henrico County Public Schools

"The concept of renegade leadership is an idea whose time has come in an age of educational volatility and insecurity."

John Robinson, High School Principal
Newton-Conover City Schools

"Engaging, sincere. Creative ideas are presented within every chapter as well as rich possibilities for innovating student and staff learning . . . This text contains content with the potency of a time machine many school leaders dream of having: take me to relevant, simple yet profound ideas to bring instruction and curriculum at my school into the new realm of learning to prepare students for their world."

Virginia E. Kelsen, Executive Director, College and Careers
Chaffey Joint Union High School District

“Be prepared to be inspired! I’m a huge fan of Brad Gustafson because of the energy and passion he puts into his leadership. In Renegade Leadership: Creating Innovative Schools for Digital-Age Students, readers will feel that energy and passion in each and every page. Gustafson offers a step-by-step how to guide for school leaders. Read, learn and innovate!”

Peter DeWitt, Author and Consultant

Renegade Leadership has the most comprehensive companion website I've seen. It offers flipped videos, community forum components, and diverse opportunities to extend educators’ learning as far as they choose. The book and website together provide extensive and intensive personalized professional development that readers will want to dive into over and over again.

Jason Bretzmann, Teacher and Author of Flipping 2.0 and Personalized PD

Brad provides an interesting and enthusiastic perspective to instructional leadership for digital-native students in the 21st century. This is a must-read for all K-12 administrators who are trying to develop connectedness between faculty, students, curriculum, and technology.

Travis Thurston
Utah State University

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