Giving Wings to Children’s Dreams

Making Our Schools Worthy of Our Children
Paul D. Houston - Center for Empowered Leadership
Giving Wings to Children’s Dreams
August 2010 | 176 pages | Corwin
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eBook
ISBN: 9781452271705
Available from January 0001
Paperback
ISBN: 9781412980357
Available from January 0001

Description

"This book has the potential to recenter our national conversation on education policy by examining professional issues through powerful personal experience."
—Kathleen Cushman, Author, Fires in the Mind

"As an experienced teacher and administrator, I found myself moved, inspired, and motivated to do whatever it takes to provide meaningful learning experiences for all children."
—Roberto A. Pamas, Principal, O.W. Holmes Middle School, Falls Church, VA

Education reform begins when we reconnect with the common purpose behind every educational endeavor

The former executive director of the American Association of School Administrators outlines a coherent countervision of the factors educators must consider in order to turn schools back into places that nurture children. There are basic truths about what motivates people, Paul D. Houston argues, and educators must embed these truths in the educational process. In this book, educators will find inspiration and guidance through:

  • Eighteen beautifully written, thought-provoking essays on how we can transform our schools
  • Chapter-by-chapter questions to inspire reflection, discussion, and professional development
  • A broad range of topics spanning from the magic of learning to global education to the perils of accountability

Houston's words will resonate with anyone committed to improving schools, and will help educators examine their own beliefs, develop a common vision, and enact reform.

In this video, Paul Houston describes his vision for school reform, why he's so passionate about it, and his inspiration for writing this book.

Contents

About the Author

About the Author

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

Opening Thoughts

Opening Thoughts

Dedication

Dedication

Foreword by Terrence E. Deal

Foreword by Terrence E. Deal

Introduction

  • 1. My Wings
  • 2. Teachers: Magicians and Conductors
  • 3. Attitude=Altitude
  • 4. Leaning Our Ladder Against the Right Wall
  • 5. Crawling Out of the Box
  • 6. How It Ought to Be
  • 7. Getting Kids Ready for Democracy
  • 8. Getting Kids Ready for School—Raising the Village
  • 9. Getting Schools Ready for Kids
  • 10. Getting the Words and Symbols Right
  • 11. Horse Whispering: Harnessing Technology to Enhance Learning
  • 12. The Brain is a Terrible Thing to Waste
  • 13. Creativity and the Arts: The Surry, Not the Fringe
  • 14. Authentic Accountability
  • 15. Lead Is Not a Four Letter Word
  • 16. Bored of Education
  • 17. Dealing with the Heart and Soul
  • 18. A School Worthy of Our Children—A Fable

Appendix/Study Guide

Appendix/Study Guide

Reading List

Reading List

Additional materials

Description

"This book has the potential to recenter our national conversation on education policy by examining professional issues through powerful personal experience."
—Kathleen Cushman, Author, Fires in the Mind

"As an experienced teacher and administrator, I found myself moved, inspired, and motivated to do whatever it takes to provide meaningful learning experiences for all children."
—Roberto A. Pamas, Principal, O.W. Holmes Middle School, Falls Church, VA

Education reform begins when we reconnect with the common purpose behind every educational endeavor

The former executive director of the American Association of School Administrators outlines a coherent countervision of the factors educators must consider in order to turn schools back into places that nurture children. There are basic truths about what motivates people, Paul D. Houston argues, and educators must embed these truths in the educational process. In this book, educators will find inspiration and guidance through:

  • Eighteen beautifully written, thought-provoking essays on how we can transform our schools
  • Chapter-by-chapter questions to inspire reflection, discussion, and professional development
  • A broad range of topics spanning from the magic of learning to global education to the perils of accountability

Houston's words will resonate with anyone committed to improving schools, and will help educators examine their own beliefs, develop a common vision, and enact reform.

In this video, Paul Houston describes his vision for school reform, why he's so passionate about it, and his inspiration for writing this book.

Contents

About the Author

About the Author

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

Opening Thoughts

Opening Thoughts

Dedication

Dedication

Foreword by Terrence E. Deal

Foreword by Terrence E. Deal

Introduction

  • 1. My Wings
  • 2. Teachers: Magicians and Conductors
  • 3. Attitude=Altitude
  • 4. Leaning Our Ladder Against the Right Wall
  • 5. Crawling Out of the Box
  • 6. How It Ought to Be
  • 7. Getting Kids Ready for Democracy
  • 8. Getting Kids Ready for School—Raising the Village
  • 9. Getting Schools Ready for Kids
  • 10. Getting the Words and Symbols Right
  • 11. Horse Whispering: Harnessing Technology to Enhance Learning
  • 12. The Brain is a Terrible Thing to Waste
  • 13. Creativity and the Arts: The Surry, Not the Fringe
  • 14. Authentic Accountability
  • 15. Lead Is Not a Four Letter Word
  • 16. Bored of Education
  • 17. Dealing with the Heart and Soul
  • 18. A School Worthy of Our Children—A Fable

Appendix/Study Guide

Appendix/Study Guide

Reading List

Reading List

Additional materials

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Giving Wings to Children’s Dreams

Making Our Schools Worthy of Our Children

Paul D. Houston
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August 2010 | 176 pages | Corwin

Format Published Date ISBN Price
Paperback 01/02/2026 9781412980357 $37.95
Lifetime 01/02/2026 9781452271705 $35.00

"This book has the potential to recenter our national conversation on education policy by examining professional issues through powerful personal experience."
—Kathleen Cushman, Author, Fires in the Mind

"As an experienced teacher and administrator, I found myself moved, inspired, and motivated to do whatever it takes to provide meaningful learning experiences for all children."
—Roberto A. Pamas, Principal, O.W. Holmes Middle School, Falls Church, VA

Education reform begins when we reconnect with the common purpose behind every educational endeavor

The former executive director of the American Association of School Administrators outlines a coherent countervision of the factors educators must consider in order to turn schools back into places that nurture children. There are basic truths about what motivates people, Paul D. Houston argues, and educators must embed these truths in the educational process. In this book, educators will find inspiration and guidance through:

  • Eighteen beautifully written, thought-provoking essays on how we can transform our schools
  • Chapter-by-chapter questions to inspire reflection, discussion, and professional development
  • A broad range of topics spanning from the magic of learning to global education to the perils of accountability

Houston's words will resonate with anyone committed to improving schools, and will help educators examine their own beliefs, develop a common vision, and enact reform.

In this video, Paul Houston describes his vision for school reform, why he's so passionate about it, and his inspiration for writing this book.


Table Of Contents:

  • About the Author
  • Acknowledgments
  • Opening Thoughts
  • Dedication
  • Foreword by Terrence E. Deal
  • Introduction
  • 1. My Wings
  • 2. Teachers: Magicians and Conductors
  • 3. Attitude=Altitude
  • 4. Leaning Our Ladder Against the Right Wall
  • 5. Crawling Out of the Box
  • 6. How It Ought to Be
  • 7. Getting Kids Ready for Democracy
  • 8. Getting Kids Ready for School—Raising the Village
  • 9. Getting Schools Ready for Kids
  • 10. Getting the Words and Symbols Right
  • 11. Horse Whispering: Harnessing Technology to Enhance Learning
  • 12. The Brain is a Terrible Thing to Waste
  • 13. Creativity and the Arts: The Surry, Not the Fringe
  • 14. Authentic Accountability
  • 15. Lead Is Not a Four Letter Word
  • 16. Bored of Education
  • 17. Dealing with the Heart and Soul
  • 18. A School Worthy of Our Children—A Fable
  • Appendix/Study Guide
  • Reading List

Recent Product Reviews:

"Integration of 21st century skills and, especially, the use of technology in establishing Houston's model for schools illustrates his holistic and timely approach to reform."
Patty Minrovic, OAESA Principal Navigator magazine, Winter 2011
"In page after page, any public educator will recognize that this is written by someone who understands and articulates our frustrations, but more importantly our dreams of 'making our schools worthy of our children.'"
The School Administrator, June 2011, American Association of School Administrators
"By reminding us that education is more a matter of the heart than the head and that possibility outweighs performance, Houston succeeds in giving wings to dreams of educators everywhere – uplifting students to their highest potential and letting them fly."
Gail Connelly, Executive Director, National Association of Elementary School Principals
“Giving Wings to Children’s Dreams combines doable, concrete strategies to transform our schools with that rare commodity—common sense—and Houston does this with literary grace and style.”
Anne L. Bryant, Executive Director, National School Boards Association, Alexandria, VA
"Paul Houston throws a huge roadblock in the way of test-driven bean counters with this coldly realistic yet uplifting new course to school improvement. He challenges us to harness the know-how and capacity of the nation’s educators and communities to transform our schools.”
John Wilson, Executive Director, National Education Association, Executive Office

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