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The Leadership Brain
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The Leadership Brain
How to Lead Today's Schools More Effectively

First Edition


May 2003 | 320 pages | Corwin

How can you use the growing body of research on how the brain learns to become a more effective leader?

Cognitive neuroscientists are gaining greater insights into how the brain interacts with and learns from the environment. Now David A. Sousa, one of the foremost experts in translating this research into classroom practice, examines the brain-compatible leadership practices that sustain effective teaching and learning.

The Leadership Brain provides a new model for a whole-brain approach to educational leadership. Examining what we know about the adult brain, and how to apply these lessons to effective school leadership and team management, this powerful resource provides you with the necessary tools to:

  • Understand the differences in learning and retention, left and right hemispheric preferences, higher-order thinking, and the nature of creativity
  • Initiate and lead productive change within your school
  • Effectively shape and manage school culture
  • Address the call for ethical and spiritual leadership
  • Understand how thinking habits influence our actions, especially with problem solving and conflict resolution
  • Reduce misconceptions about students with disabilities, gifted, and minority students
  • Use information about the influence that modern society has on student learning and their different expectations

The Leadership Brain includes valuable self-assessment tools, resources, and practical applications that will help instructional leaders develop a modern, creative, team-centered school where all students and teachers can reach their full potential.


 
About the Author
 
Introduction
Changing America's Schools

 
About this Book

 
 
1. Understanding Leadership
Schools Need True Leaders

 
Attribute of a Leader

 
Organizational Expectations

 
Leadership Styles

 
What Style of Leader Am I?

 
Impact of Brain Research on Leadership

 
Major Points in Chapter 1

 
 
2. Linking Leadership to the Brain
Brain Structure and Function

 
Learning and Retention

 
Leadership and the Brain

 
Creativity

 
Imagery (Visualization)

 
Major Points in Chapter 2

 
 
3. Brain-Compatible Curriculum
Students Expectations About Learning

 
Deciding What Should Be Learned

 
Revising Curriculum

 
Curriculum for Special Needs Students

 
Integrating Technology into the Classroom

 
The Pitfalls of Curriculum Change

 
Major Points in Chapter 3

 
 
4. Brain-Compatible Instruction and Assessment
Components of Brain-Compatible Instruction

 
Assessment

 
Major Points in Chapter 4

 
 
5. Teacher Evaluation
Traditional Models of Teacher Evaluation

 
Teacher Evaluation for the 21st Century

 
Designing a Comprehensive Teacher Evaluation Program

 
Evaluating Principals and District Office Administrators

 
Major Points in Chapter 5

 
 
6. Ethical and Spiritual Leadership
Ethical Leadership

 
Brain Research and Ethical Behavior

 
Spiritual Leadership

 
Major Points in Chapter 6

 
 
7. Transforming School Culture
Types of School Culture

 
Monitoring School Culture

 
Attitudes and Beliefs About Schooling

 
Attitudes and Beliefs About Students

 
Parents and School Culture

 
Transforming Through Collaboration

 
Working With Teams

 
Staff Development

 
Major Points in Chapter 7

 
 
8. Putting It All Together
A Whole-Brained Approach to Leadership

 
Developing and Retaining Educational Leaders

 
Major Points in Chapter 8

 
 
Glossary
 
References
 
Resources
 
Index

“As educators struggle with the demands of No Child Left Behind, Sousa offers practical ideas for linking the research being done by neuroscientists to the real world of learning in the classroom.”

The School Administrator, January 2004

"The Leadership Brain is an incredible resource. David Sousa has taken brain research and made it meaningful to principals by showing them how a basic understanding of this field can make a difference at school."

Principal Magazine, March/April 2004

For instructors

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Hardcover
ISBN: 9780761939092
$100.95

Paperback
ISBN: 9780761939108
$48.95