Michael Fullan and Mark Edwards capture a powerful way forward
Today’s challenges have led to a loss of hope at all levels of education leadership. Spirit Work and the Science of Collaboration advocates for the development of two qualities that will bring back hope: "spirit work" and the “science of collaboration”. Built on eight school district cases of success spirit work inspires leaders and community members to join to create a positive powerful culture. The authors delve into new developments in neuroscience to show how spirit and collaboration represent revolutionary potential for education. Readers will find:
- A lifeline amid overwhelming and exhausting conditions
- Hope for themselves and the future of education
- Ideas for building cohesion throughout school communities
Michael Fullan served as Premier Dalton McGuinty's Special Policy Adviser in Ontario from 2003-2013. He received the Order of Canada (OC) in December 2012 and holds five honorary doctorates from universities around the world. His 'interim autobiography', Surreal Change, covers his work to 2018. Michael and his colleagues are now working diligently on field-based comprehensive system change in several countries. This work operates under the umbrella of what they call the 'shared humanity paradigm' --Equity, Engagement, Excellence--Deep change that integrates local (school and community), middle (district/regional), and state (policy) entities.
Fullan's favorite method of learning is to partner with groups that are engaged with change; and to learn together with them. (And then to write another book about the experiences, and what was learned).
Michael Fullan's latest books are: Nuance (2019), Spirit Work and the Science of Collaboration (with Mark Edwards, 2022), The Principal 2.0 (2023), and The Drivers (with Joanne Quinn, 2023).
For more information on books, articles, videos, podcasts please go to: www.michaelfullan.ca
Mark Edwards previously served as school superintendent in Danville, Virginia, and in Henrico County, Virginia, where he was named
the Virginia Superintendent of the Year in 2001 and received the Harold McGraw Prize in Education in 2003. He later served as superintendent
of the Mooresville Graded School District in North Carolina. Edwards was named the North Carolina Superintendent of the Year as well as the AASA National Superintendent of the Year in 2013. He received North Carolina's prestigious Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award in 2013 and the Public School Forum of North Carolina Jay Robinson Education Leadership Award in 2014. He has been recognized as a pioneer in one-to-one computing and as a collaborative leader in public education. Edwards has published three books, Every Child Every Day: A Digital Conversion Model for Student Achievement, Thank You for Your Leadership: The Power of Distributed Leadership in a Digital Conversion Model, and co-authored The Power of Unstoppable Momentum with Michael Fullan.
