Leadership, Violence, and School Climate

Case Studies in Creating Non-Violent Schools

Kyle E. Blanchfield and Peter D. Ladd

In the book, Leadership, Violence and School Climate: Case Studies in Creating Non-Violent Schools, three important themes are emphasized namely, democratic leadership, violence and school climate. The book recognizes that safety should be the first issue of concern when addressing school violence. However, violence in schools should not be the sole concern of outside experts who advocate for lock downs, metal detectors and bullet proof glass. Through democratic school leadership violence can be reduced by those professionals actually working in schools. The book emphasizes that reduction in school violence originates from school leaders having a comprehensive understanding of the climate found in schools. Leadership, violence and school climate are connected through the use of democratic principles that address; crisis, trauma, empowerment, common ground, critical thinking, assertiveness and others. The book points out how schools can reverse their reactionary stance to violence, and become pro-active through the practice of democratic principles.

R&L Education

Pages: 180 • Trim: 6 x 9

978-1-4758-0170-5 • Hardback • July 2013 • $71.00 • (£55.00)

978-1-4758-0171-2 • Paperback • July 2013 • $38.00 • (£29.00)

978-1-4758-0172-9 • eBook • July 2013 • $36.00 • (£28.00)

Subjects: Education / Educational Policy & Reform / School Safety, Education / Leadership

Leadership, Violence, and School Climate

Case Studies in Creating Non-Violent Schools

Hardback

Paperback

eBook

Summary

In the book, Leadership, Violence and School Climate: Case Studies in Creating Non-Violent Schools, three important themes are emphasized namely, democratic leadership, violence and school climate. The book recognizes that safety should be the first issue of concern when addressing school violence. However, violence in schools should not be the sole concern of outside experts who advocate for lock downs, metal detectors and bullet proof glass. Through democratic school leadership violence can be reduced by those professionals actually working in schools. The book emphasizes that reduction in school violence originates from school leaders having a comprehensive understanding of the climate found in schools. Leadership, violence and school climate are connected through the use of democratic principles that address; crisis, trauma, empowerment, common ground, critical thinking, assertiveness and others. The book points out how schools can reverse their reactionary stance to violence, and become pro-active through the practice of democratic principles.

Details

R&L Education

Pages: 180 • Trim: 6 x 9

978-1-4758-0170-5 • Hardback • July 2013 • $71.00 • (£55.00)

978-1-4758-0171-2 • Paperback • July 2013 • $38.00 • (£29.00)

978-1-4758-0172-9 • eBook • July 2013 • $36.00 • (£28.00)

Subjects: Education / Educational Policy & Reform / School Safety, Education / Leadership

Author

Kyle Elizabeth Blanchfield, J.D., is the President and CEO of the Northern New York Centers for Conflict Resolution, which covers the entire northern region of New York State. She is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Education in St. Lawrence University’s Graduate Leadership Program.

Peter D. Ladd, Ph.D. is a tenured faculty member at St. Lawrence University in the Graduate School of Education. He coordinates the Certificate of Advanced Studies Program in Counseling, and works in St. Lawrence University's satellite graduate school program on the Akwesasne Mohawk Reservation.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Foreword

Preface

Chapter 1: Overview
Democracy and Leadership
Leadership and School Climate
Leadership and School Violence

Part 1: Intervention

Chapter 2: Crisis
Case Study
Crisis and School Climate
School Violence and Crisis
Summary

Chapter 3: Trauma
Case Study
Trauma and School Climate
School Violence and Trauma
Summary

Chapter 4: Emotions
Case Study
Emotions and School Climate
School Violence and Emotions
Summary

Part 2: Prevention

Chapter 5: Empowerment
Case Study
Empowerment and School Climate
School Violence and Empowerment
Summary

Chapter 6: Assertiveness
Case Study
Assertiveness and School Climate
School Violence and Assertiveness
Summary

Chapter 7: Common Ground
Case Study

Common Ground and School Climate
School Violence and Common Ground
Summary

Chapter 8: Humor
Case Study
Humor and School Climate
School Violence and Humor
Summary

Chapter 9: Critical Thinking
Case Study
Critical Thinking and School Climate
School Violence and Critical Thinking
Summary

Chapter 10: Generosity
Case Study
Generosity and School Climate
School Violence and Generosity
Summary

Chapter 11: Trust
Case Study
Trust and School Climate
School Violence and Trust
Summary

Part 3: Programs

Chapter 12: Creating Non-Violent Schools
Crisis
Trauma
Emotions
Empowerment
Assertiveness
Common Ground
Humor
Critical Thinking
Generosity
Trust

References

About Authors

Index

Reviews

As a 40 year veteran of school leadership I thought I was reading my professional life experiences in the case studies that Blanchfield and Ladd analyze in their book. They clearly go upstream to the source of school violence as they emphasize the importance of democratic leadership and apply best practices to make our schools safe. A must read for any school principal.
— Dr. Gerald D. Slemmer, Principal, Red Mountain High School in Mesa, AZ

After reading this book, it is clear that the authors understand a democratic style of leadership and its connection to violence and school climate. I cannot emphasize enough the role school leadership needs to take when dealing with violence in our schools. Leadership should be about dignity, integrity and responsibility. Drs. Kyle Blanchfield and Peter Ladd provide an excellent resource for promoting these democratic principles.
— Tish Jepsen, Director of Career Services, Pennsylvania State University Berks

This book highlights the impact of emotions, empowerment, assertiveness, common ground, humor, critical thinking, generosity, and trust on school climate through clear and helpful examples. The authors show how school leaders can leverage these skills to create a positive climate in the classroom and among the staff members and school community....I recommend this to school leaders who are seriously invested in developing even safer, more supportive, engaging and flourishing schools: the foundation for learning and healthy development!
— Jonathan Cohen Ph.D., Co-President, International Observatory for School Climate and Violent Prevention