A Commonsense Approach to Educational Leadership

(Paperback)

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Leaders and aspiring leaders are constantly searching for role models who are successful in placing leadership theory into effective practice. This book identifies ten such role models whose heroic leadership behavior is analyzed in order to reveal what particular abilities and skills made them successful and how those attributes can be applied to ones own leadership practice, whether that be as a classroom teacher, a principal, or a superintendent of schools.

Reviews

There is no better way to learn about leadership than to study great leaders, looking for the habits of mind and heart that enable them to make a difference. Thats just what Robert Palestini does in his new book, A Common Sense Approach to Educational Leadership, taking readers on a journey through the lives of some of the greatest educational leaders in history including such diverse, fascinating and instructive leaders as Booker T. Washington, Marie Montessori, John Dewey and Theodore Hesburgh. Dr. Palestinis book takes a commonsense approach to the issue of leadership by offering a clear connection between theory and practice that will inform, inspire, and encourage leaders to examine and make the changes necessary to improve their own leadership behavior. -- Daniel Curran, president, University of Dayton
This helpful book offers leaders and aspiring leaders ways to assimilate important theoretical constructs as well as to incorporate practical suggestions that will inform and enhance their leadership behavior. Incorporating his own experiences in leadership with a study of ten legendary educational leaders, Dr. Palestini offers a useful template for leadership. Using Bolman and Deals Four Frames of Leadership (structural, human resource, political and symbolic), as well as his own moral frame (rooted in the principles of Ignatian leadership), Palestini offers a study that has depth as well as breadth.. The contemporary leader will benefit from the definitions, distinctions and descriptions that illuminate the variables that surround situational leadership. -- Kevin Gillespie, president, Saint Josephs University
Dr. Robert Palestinis A Common sense Approach to Educational Leadership explores the need for leaders to develop a leadership framework on both practical and theoretical levels. By examining the leadership behavior of ten legendary educational leaders, one can easily trace the success or failure of the leader in relation to whether he or she adhered to Bolman and Deals Four Frames of Leadership, as well as Palestinis moral frame. This is both fascinating and reflective reading for todays leaders, as well as a springboard for discussion in leadership groups. -- Jeanne Brady, associate dean, Saint Josephs University

Author Bio

Robert Palestini is dean emeritus and professor of educational leadership at Saint Josephs University (SJU) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is also the founding executive director of the Educational Leadership Institute and Center for Catholic Urban Education at SJU. In addition, with almost fifty years in the field of education, he has been a science teacher, principal, and superintendent of schools.