Transforming the Culture of School Leadership

Humanizing Our Practice

"In an era of accountability, it is all too easy for school leadership initiatives to dehumanize the culture of the educational workplace. Yet Giancola and Hutchison provide an alternative view of school leadership—one that supports a humane dimension which will transform the culture of school leadership, even in the most challenging of times. This book belongs in the hands of every school leader whose goal is to make a difference in the lives of students, teachers, and administrators."
-Richard and Jo Anne Vacca, Professors Emeriti
Kent State University  

"Transforming the Culture of School Leadership is a must-read for teachers and administrators who want to transcend roles so often found in today's schools--roles that produce noncooperation, mistrust, and isolation between teaching and administrative staff."
-Jeffrey Harr, Teacher/Curriculum Leader
Stanton Middle School, OH

Compassion leads to cooperation, and personal transformation is the key to lasting school change!

How do successful schools create meaningful change? How can stakeholders improve and impact final decisions in the change process? Lasting organizational improvement and effective leadership blossom in climates of compassion, trust, and productive relationships. The authors describe the key to true organizational transformation in the one-on-one conversations and relationships that take place in a school. Personal transformation, one person at a time, is the key to building a team of educators who are heading in the same direction for the best interests of students, teachers, and administrators. This exploration of the Humane Dimension of school leadership illustrates the lasting effects of transformed school cultures.

Transforming the Culture of School Leadership melds research, theory, and the spiritual aspects of educational leadership to demonstrate how to encourage personal transformation. Giancola and Hutchison draw on a combined 50 years of classroom and school experience to relate their observations about the Humane Dimension including:

• Developing a team before developing a vision
• Creating a climate of win/win consensus building, negotiating, and decision making
• Helping team members become leaders
• Implementing curriculum-driven staff development

A culture of transformation nurtured through the Humane Dimension improves districts, strengthens schools, and empowers educators!