Short description:

Combining proven strategies with new information for developing resiliency in schools, this edition emphasizes the critical role of school leaders and features updated exercises for implementing change.

Long description:

"The book provides a wide selection of practical and user-friendly tools and strategies for understanding the meaning and importance of resiliency. A must for anyone concerned about the well-being of their schools and communities."
?Doug Milne, Campus Manager
University of Canterbury, Nelson Campus, New Zealand

"Milstein and Henry establish an excellent set of guiding principles. Every educational administrator needs to read and reflect upon this important work."
?John M. Daggett, Former Superintendent
Ashland Public Schools, OR

Develop an environment that fosters well-being and promotes success for the entire school community!

As a practical guide for creating healthier school environments, this interactive workbook offers proven strategies for developing resiliency?the emotional strength and constructive attitude necessary for students, schools, and communities to thrive.

Mike M. Milstein and Doris Annie Henry expand on the groundbreaking concepts presented in their first edition, Spreading Resiliency, to underscore the critical role of educational leaders and incorporate feedback from educators who have used the book to improve their schools. The updated exercises, case studies, and reproducibles are presented in a workbook style to help administrators:

• Diagnose current problems and implement strategies for change
• Assess their own readiness to facilitate resiliency initiatives
• Increase educator enthusiasm and strengthen professional development
• Build confidence and coping capabilities in students
• Partner effectively with surrounding communities

This invaluable resource supplies all the tools that school leaders, teacher leaders, and district administrators need to foster resiliency and implement effective, positive improvement initiatives.

Table of Contents:

Dedication
List of Tables and Figures
List of Handouts
Foreword by Richard A. Schmuck
Foreword to the First Edition by Paul D. Houston
Preface
Organization of the Book
About the Authors
Part I. Basic Concepts
1. Resiliency: Promoting Everyone?s Potential to Succeed
Why the Urgency?
An Introduction to Resiliency
The Problem With Problem Solvers
2. Building Resilient Communities
Why Community Development and Resiliency
Traditional Ways of Thinking About Community
Three Realities of Community: Rural, Urban, and Suburban
Visualizing the Resilient Community
Leadership Activities for Building a Resilient Community: Where Do We Start?
Part II. Resiliency for Everyone
3. Student Resiliency: Building a Base for Positive Living
What Are the Problems That Youth Face?
Changing Our Mind Maps: From Deficits to Potentials
Student Resiliency: The Community and School?s Responsibilities
Leadership Strategies That Promote Student Resiliency
Bringing It All Together as an Overall Resiliency-Building Approach
4. Educator Resiliency: Nurturing the Nurturers
Resiliency Pathways and Educators? Performance Over Their Career Span
The Ability of Educators to Perform Well Over Time: Coping With Plateauing
The Impact of the School Environment on Educator Resiliency
Strategies to Overcome School-Based Barriers to Educator Resiliency
5. School Resiliency: Creating Supportive Environments for Students, Educators, and Communities
Does Your School Support Resiliency?
Improving School Resiliency Means Changing Schools
Backwards Planning
School Resiliency-Building Strategies
6. Community Resiliency: Developing Partnerships
Building Relationships Between Schools and Their Communities
Communities With Characteristics of Resiliency
Community Support Is Needed for School Resiliency
School Support Is Needed for Community Resiliency
From Reactive to Proactive Community Relationships
Strategies for Improving Community Resiliency
Part III. Making It Happen for Schools & Communities
7. Leading Resiliency Development Initiatives: Strategies for Managing and Assessing Change
Bringing It All Together and Leading Resiliency Development Initiatives
The Four Stages of Change
Group Development
Leadership Needs
Facilitation Skills
Assessment, Monitoring, and Evaluation
8. School and Community Resiliency Initiatives
A Reality Perspective
Communities on the Forefront of Improvement
In Closing
Resource A: Handouts
References
Index