Leadership Mentoring

Although several books discuss administrator mentoring and how to create mentoring programs, Steve Gross's book manages to tell an engaging story of mentoring that positions it in the turbulent and complex world of contemporary school and district life. Instead of viewing mentoring as a panacea for all administrator problems, Gross's book pictures mentoring in its complex and problematic practice, while acknowledging its realistic value. The book identifies the real-life challenges of mentoring in turbulent educational environments. Educational leaders, policymakers, and researchers will benefit from the engaging and complex story of mentoring that Gross has written. -- Gary Crow, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy at The University of Utah and immediate past presiden
As the expectations for students and educational personnel continue to increase and the work of educational leaders grows increasingly complex, the need for consequential professional learning experiences comes sharply into focus. This volume places mentoring at the very heart of professional learning for school leaders, addressing head on essential questions concerning the purposes and substance of mentoring as well as the process of developing a high quality mentoring programs. Gross's account of moving from an ideal to a successful program, offers not only profound insights into the very essence of mentorship but also suggests a path for building mentoring programs that, if followed, could swiftly craft conditions within the field of education that are much [as John Dewey said] 'better than we found them, so that the next generation may find the best qualities of civilization, more solid and secure, more widely accessible and more generously shared.' -- Michelle D. Young, Ph.D., executive director of the University Council for Educational Administration (UCEA)
[This book] will inspire anyone concerned with the challenge of retaining and nurturing school leaders in the 21st Century. Grounded in a lively chronicle, full of school and community voices, of a school district?s journey in the development of a leadership mentoring program, this book is destined to change the way we think about leadership and our responsibility to the next generation of school leaders. Dr. Gross reminds us of how much can be accomplished when school leaders are supported, mentored, and encouraged to lead in arenas within, and particularly, outside the school walls where root factors exist that impact the ability of students to grow as learners and human beings... -- Mary John O?Hair, Ph.D., professor and director K20 Center, The University of Oklahoma
Beset by a cacophonous chorus of critics, we are truly in a turbulent era. National think-tanks, federal and state mandates; colliding with the reality of real schools serving real students with real parents all crash upon school leaders with conflicting and contradictory demands. Steve Gross' latest book addresses these dilemmas head-on. Drawing from the well of philosophical fundamentals of right, fairness and democracy, Gross shows that the crucible for annealing new school leaders is through wise and reflective mentorships. By following the journey of a school district, Steve shows us how it is done through careful, committed, supported and sustained efforts. His contribution is not only to administrator trainers but also to practicing school administrators, school board members, and the entire school community. In a new and turbulent age, no single aspect is as important as the development of democratic and effective leaders. Through experience in the real world, Steve transforms these lessons into an invaluable guide for all who care about the directions of our schools. -- William J. Mathis Ph.D, superintendent, Rutland Northeast Supervisory Union, Brandon, Vt, past Vermont Superintendent of the Year, and National Superintendent of the Year finalist
[This book] will inspire anyone concerned with the challenge of retaining and nurturing school leaders in the 21st Century. Grounded in a lively chronicle, full of school and community voices, of a school district’s journey in the development of a leadership mentoring program, this book is destined to change the way we think about leadership and our responsibility to the next generation of school leaders. Dr. Gross reminds us of how much can be accomplished when school leaders are supported, mentored, and encouraged to lead in arenas within, and particularly, outside the school walls where root factors exist that impact the ability of students to grow as learners and human beings. -- Mary John O’Hair, Ph.D., professor and director K20 Center, The University of Oklahoma