Back to Common Sense: Rethinking School Change

There are times in today's educational world when it seems as if common sense has lost its place as a factor in critical decision making. This book strives to provide alternative, practical, and commonsense solutions to decision making in several traditional areas of education. Intended for professional leaders in education, including administrators and teachers, the chapters are cleverly divided into stories, theory, and practice. It is a myth that experience always equates to quality and that creating successful school change can start with anyone, anywhere. Research and best practice can work hand in hand with common sense to bridge the gap between today's educational world and the days of the one-room schoolhouse. Teachers and administrators interested in commonsense practice will also be left with a reminder of why they got into the game of education in the first place and why the field cannot go forward without them.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 The Trap of Success 3 It's Not Fair Chapter 4 Getting the Right Fit Chapter 5 The Train Is Leaving the Station Chapter 6 Well, Well, Well Chapter 7 Money is the Answer-To Nothing Chapter 8 Perception vs. Reality Chapter 9 What Questions Do You Have? Chapter 10 The One Hundred-Yard Rule Chapter 11 Long Division Chapter 12 Let the Problem Ripen Chapter 13 If It's Broke, Fix It with Duct Tape. If It's Not Broke, Break It, Then Fix It with Duct Tape Chapter 14 Remembering Where You Came From Chapter 15 The Final Story Chapter 16 Conclusion

About the Author :
Joe Dawidziak began his professional teaching career as a sixth-grade teacher in 1995, later becoming an eighth-grade teacher for eight years. He is now a principal.

Review :
This book is a must-read for everyone associated with education! I really appreciate how Dawidziak brings common sense back to the forefront of decision making. What can the 'Average Joe' (or Josephine) do to radically improve education today with the resources they already have? Read Joe Dawidziak's book, that's what. If you want lofty theories, look elsewhere. Dawidziak gives educators nuts and bolts ideas concerning ways to look past the things that are not working and stay positive. Dawidziak helped me to remember why I became an educato, and how I can take small steps to get out of my ruts and continue to grow toward my full professional potential. And this is nothing but good for my students and myself. The book has very inspiring, thoughtful, uplifting stories for anyone in education or anyone who needs wisdom. The author walks us through great dilemmas?from hiring the right people with the right mind-set to mentoring students. Many of us think of ourselves as subject matter experts because we went through the education system; however, the author passionately explains the key behind a good school?that is, everyone in the student's life, including the community. We hear all the time about funding and,mostly, lack of it. The book has a great story about how to be creative and show care and compassion without special funds. In the end there are great observations supported by excellent examples of how to prioritize our commitments and understand the impact of our actions on society.. The author provides a commonsense approach to school change from his experience. Since administrators often end up on an 'island of their own,' it was relaxing to read this book; it felt like actually getting the opportunity to dialogue about school issues. The book has very inspiring, thoughtful, uplifting stories for anyone in education or anyone who needs wisdom. The author walks us through great dilemmas—from hiring the right people with the right mind-set to mentoring students. Many of us think of ourselves as subject matter experts because we went through the education system; however, the author passionately explains the key behind a good school—that is, everyone in the student's life, including the community. We hear all the time about funding and, mostly, lack of it. The book has a great story about how to be creative and show care and compassion without special funds. In the end there are great observations supported by excellent examples of how to prioritize our commitments and understand the impact of our actions on society. Mourning the loss of basic values in the race to advance test scores and satisfy political and business leaders, Dawidziak, a veteran school teacher and principal, provides a commonsense approach for making decisions related to school change and educational improvement. The approach focuses broadly on the many facets of high-quality schools, and reconnects with the traditional values such as caring for others and respect for right and wrong. Each chapter presents a brief story from the author's experience, then supplies background on theory and discussion on practice. Themes include eliciting questions from parents and sustaining successful school change. The audience for the book includes administrators, teachers, and board members. Back to Common Sense: Rethinking School Change eschews academic language to make its case for thoughtful school change in common sense, laymen's terms.... The author successfully fulfills his intended purpose in this engaging and thought-provoking book. Dawidziak provides insight into successful school change through the lens of professional leaders which includes principals and others such as teachers, staff members, and board members. He defines the common sense approach as one that takes into consideration the myriad facets of school change. The stores that he uses to introduce the reader to his points are based on real events.... Back to Common Sense: Rethinking School Change is a guide for those interested in leading successful school change. The book provides valuable insights for those wondering how to best work with and in schools to bring about instructional improvement. Back to Common Sense: Rethinking School Change is another rich addition to the literature on school change.