Leading schools is becoming almost daily a more complex and demanding job. Connecting Leadership and Learning reassesses the purpose of schools, the nature of learning and the qualities of leadership that make schools authentic places of learning. Starting with a review of what we can claim to know – and not know – about learning, leadership and their inter-relationship, this book explores what it means to lead schools that place learning at the centre. Drawing on research from seven different country projects - including the United States, Australia and five European countries – the authors offer five key principles for practice: a focus of learning an environment for learning a learning dialogue shared leadership accountability; internal and external. These key principles have been tested by teachers, senior leaders and school students and found to be applicable across cultural and linguistic boundaries. The challenges faced by in inner city schools, whether in London or New Jersey, prove a stern test for the five principles yet, as these schools testify, they bring a new sense of hope and resolve that learning is for everyone. Based on rigorous research yet thoroughly grounded in practice, this book aims to challenge the reader with big ideas about learning and leadership, and to break new ground in thinking about where leadership and learning meet so that practitioners can see how it works in school and classroom practice. It should be of interest to all school leaders and those aspiring to the role.

What kind of leadership makes learning possible for all students? How can school leaders help teachers increase their knowledge and improve their instructional abilities? What actions should leaders take to ensure that learning occurs? In Connecting Leadership with Learning: A Framework for Reflection, Planning, and Action, Michael A. Copland and Michael S. Knapp give educational leaders a new way to answer these questions and find solutions perfect for their particular school environment. Copland and Knapp assert that far too many educational leaders are struggling with outdated curricula, demands that don't align with their school or district goals, and professional meetings that are high on complaints but low on solutions. Instead of prescribing a linear or rigid approach, the authors encourage educators to be attentive and tune into their leadership actions by using the Leading for Learning Framework. The framework provides different vantage points to help leaders reflect on their strengths and weaknesses, plan for improvement, and take actions to foster learning for students, teachers and professionals, and school and district leaders. The Leading for Learning Framework will empower leaders to *Establish a focus on equitable learning *Build professional communities *Engage communities and external partnerships *Act strategically and share leadership *Create coherence in their leadership actions The book includes extended case studies, descriptions of 23 different leadership "pathways," and many examples from schools and districts that show the Leading for Learning Framework in action. There is no magic formula for great school leadership, but Copland and Knapp conclude that magic can happen when leaders reframe their efforts to focus more clearly on learning.

Here is a researched-based book in which author Peter Jonas explores how humor can enhance both leadership performance and improve the learning environment. Jonas attempts to use research and brain-based concepts to build a theoretical foundation and then provides practical components for connecting leadership, learning, and humor. Individuals need to understand the theoretical nature of leadership before they can translate the concepts into practice on a daily basis. The same is true for humor. The main theme of the book is that the proper use of humor will not only increase learning comprehension, but it can be used as an important tool for leaders to enhance their effectiveness. Throughout the book, Jonas has interjected humorous jokes, stories, puns, exercises, activities, expressions, etc. in order to show specific examples to provide the reader with material that can be used in leadership situations and the classroom. The materials in the book can be learned, saved for later, or copied for immediate use. Moreover, each chapter is fun to read and contains practical points and examples of how to integrate humor into daily leadership activities and lesson plans. For teachers and leaders, or anyone in the field of education.

A guide to help educational leaders reflect on their actions, plan for improvement, and take actions to foster student and professional learning.

"In Connecting Through Leadership: The Promise of Precise and Effective Communication in Schools, author Jasmine K. Kullar states that because they communicate nonstop from the moment the school day begins until it ends, educational leaders must know how to communicate effectively. She demonstrates ways administrators can communicate verbally and nonverbally with many groups in the school community, from teachers to students to parents. Whether the message is positive or negative, simple or complex, or actionable or informational, educational leaders' responsibility is to connect in a way that inspires and motivates others"--