Giving Wings to Children’s Dreams
Making Our Schools Worthy of Our Children
- Paul D. Houston - Center for Empowered Leadership
Foreword by Terrence E. Deal
"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.
"Giving Wings to Children’s Dreams is not only a refreshing read with original views on the state of our schools and the efforts of our teachers, but it provides a ‘just in time’ prescription for bringing sanity back into education reform."
"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 author’s ability to breathe humor into a serious topic such as school reform and truly reaching our children is a mark of genius."
"Throughout the book, Houston keeps his focus firmly on students. Each time he picks up a new strand of the educational debate, he re-centers the reader on the students’ experience. This book has the potential to re-center our national conversation on education policy by examining professional issues through powerful personal experience."
"This book provides real-life examples of what can be done. We have enough data about what is wrong with our schools. Through practical experiences, Houston describes possibilities for students and schools. The integration of learning theory, leadership, and organizational development creates hope. Yes, positive change can be accomplished, and this book provides some excellent ways to support students and staff in the pursuit of learning."
"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."
"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.”
“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.”
"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."
"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."
