Leading without Being Stung - by Zach Kelehear (Paperback)

About the Book

Leading without Being Stung offers practitioners a repertoire of eight, research-supported strategies for affecting teaching performance.

Book Synopsis

Leading without Being Stung offers practitioners a repertoire of eight, research-supported strategies for affecting teaching performance. In each of the chapters the reader will find: 1) a description of a dimension of supervision and key research that speaks to the key elements of the dimension; 2) an analysis of best practices from school leaders who have shown efficacy in implementing that dimension; 3) an interpretation of how the leader can assess the need for that dimension and plan for implementation; 4) a strategy for making judgments about the level of implementation and the areas for future growth. As such, this book offers BOTH grounded research AND practical strategies for becoming an effective and reflective instructional leader. The key supervision dimensions addressed in this book are: Staff Development, Planning and Change, Communication, Curriculum, Instructional Program, Service to Teachers, Observation and Conferencing, Personal Development.

Review Quotes

"One of the more important acknowledgments in the book deals with the overwhelming burden placed on today's principals. Kelehear accurately describes the increasing expectations of principals and argues for creation of a role outside the principalship because principals cannot be expected to perform administrative duties and be the instructional leader for their building. . . .Every now and then, a book comes along that changes the way we look at things that matter to us in this profession. After reading Kelehear's work, I will never look at schools. . . .the same way again." --School Administrator

"Leading without Being Stung
contains deep wisdom, artfully relayed.reminds us of the elemental and essential aspects of education--for students, teachers, and leaders--we too often overlook or ignore in our fascination with testing. This important little book reminds us about life.is witty and wise, and literary without being pretentious. The lessons are easily conveyed and the applications are easily applied.arrives just at the right time to remind us all of what's important about bees and life, and learners (children and adults).is beautifully crafted and artfully delivered. Full of wisdom, conveyed in a familiar way, like a conversation between old friends.is one of the most important books on learning, schooling, and instructional leadership to come along in quite some time. provides a much-needed perspective on school, school improvement, and the growth and learning of everyone involved." --Duncan Waite, Ph.D., professor of education and community leadership, Texas State University; editor, The International Journal of Leadership in Education; and director, The International Center for Educational Leadership and Social Change

"My grandfather kept bees, so I grew up hearing about their fascinating ways. Zach Kelehear's metaphor (technically, a simile) comparing beekeeping and instructional leadership is a perfect reminder that to be a successful instructional leader, one must be ever-mindful that schools are delicately complex communities. Both novice and experienced school leaders will find Kelehear's exploration of successful leadership practices memorable and insightful." --Patricia E. Holland, professor, University of Houston

"As is true of the vast majority of his work on leadership and instructional supervision in general, Zach Kelehear has managed to create a new insightful text that challenges our contemporary thinking about what it means to lead. Using analogies and metaphors drawn from nature, the text explores the artistic practice of eight dimensions of effective instructional leadership. I recommend the text as a catalyst for in-depth exploration of the world of leadership." --Jim Nolan, Jr., Hermanowicz professor of education, Penn State University

As is true of the vast majority of his work on leadership and instructional supervision in general, Zach Kelehear has managed to create a new insightful text that challenges our contemporary thinking about what it means to lead. Using analogies and metaphors drawn from nature, the text explores the artistic practice of eight dimensions of effective instructional leadership. I recommend the text as a catalyst for in-depth exploration of the world of leadership.

Leading without Being Stung

• contains deep wisdom, artfully relayed.
• reminds us of the elemental and essential aspects of education--for students, teachers, and leaders--we too often overlook or ignore in our fascination with testing. This important little book reminds us about life.
• is witty and wise, and literary without being pretentious. The lessons are easily conveyed and the applications are easily applied.
• arrives just at the right time to remind us all of what's important about bees and life, and learners (children and adults).
• is beautifully crafted and artfully delivered. Full of wisdom, conveyed in a familiar way, like a conversation between old friends.
• is one of the most important books on learning, schooling, and instructional leadership to come along in quite some time.
• provides a much-needed perspective on school, school improvement, and the growth and learning of everyone involved.

My grandfather kept bees, so I grew up hearing about their fascinating ways. Zach Kelehear's metaphor (technically, a simile) comparing beekeeping and instructional leadership is a perfect reminder that to be a successful instructional leader, one must be ever-mindful that schools are delicately complex communities. Both novice and experienced school leaders will find Kelehear's exploration of successful leadership practices memorable and insightful.

One of the more important acknowledgments in the book deals with the overwhelming burden placed on today's principals. Kelehear accurately describes the increasing expectations of principals and argues for creation of a role outside the principalship because principals cannot be expected to perform administrative duties and be the instructional leader for their building. . . .Every now and then, a book comes along that changes the way we look at things that matter to us in this profession. After reading Kelehear's work, I will never look at schools. . . .the same way again.

About the Author

Zach Kelehear has over 25 years experience in public education as a teacher, administrator, and college professor. His writings have provided innovative approaches to leadership that are grounded in research but directed toward practitioners who make a difference the lives of children every day. His primary areas of writing are mentoring, supervision, instructional leadership, and arts-based school leadership.