Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Pages: 112
•
Trim: 6¼ x 9⅜
978-1-4758-6526-4 • Hardback • March 2024 • $75.00 • (£58.00)
978-1-4758-6527-1 • Paperback • April 2024 • $32.00 • (£25.00)
978-1-4758-6528-8 • eBook • March 2024 • $30.50 • (£25.00)
Kevin Popadines has spent over twenty years in education. He has held positions ranging from classroom teacher, school improvement chair, mentor, varsity basketball and golf coach to instructional specialist, professional learning specialist, acting administrator, as well as university continuing education course creator and instructor. Dr. Popadines has worked in education for the State of New Jersey, North Carolina, with military connected schools and currently works leading professional learning in Spain. He has a passion for learning and believes that with a greater focus on adult learning theory, professional learning and development of teachers can be greatly improved to help yield increased achievement in schools.
Preface
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Chapter 1 – Adult Learning Theory, A Missing Piece
Chapter 2 - Adult Learning Experiences, Not So Fast
Chapter 3 - Now We Are Ready for Learning Experiences
Chapter 4 – Human Resource Development
Chapter 5 – Local Resources
Chapter 6 - Licensure and Assessment A Path Forward
Chapter 7 – Technology and Online Learning – The Shrinking Educational Universe
Chapter 8 – Climate a Broad and Vital Area of Focus
Chapter 9 – The Educator
Chapter 10 – Putting it all Together
Bibliography
About the Author
Dr. Kevin Popadines created an exceptional piece of literature that has and will continue to receive the highest-level feedback from national and international educators. Here he offers information that integrates school improvement, adult learning theory and leadership implementation appropriate for community members, teachers, school improvement specialists and administrators. Anyone with a sincere desire to promote the highest student achievement should read this motivating and invigorating book. It is relevant and is sure to impact education as we move forward in improving school improvement efforts and results. In his words, let this be a call to action as we challenge the status quo!
— Dr. Harriet Hunter-Boykin, Department of Defense Education Activity community superintendent, retired
No matter what field a person works in, looking for new inspiration is a common theme. Improving Schools: Simple Approaches and Understandings to Realize Growth provides exactly that, new inspiration, new vigor and a boost to educators. Having a focus on adult learners breathes new life into the field. I admire how this book is not blaming educators or the education field but rather suggesting the focus on adult learners can pave a new way to bring enthusiasm back into the classroom. The whole education system from administrators, districts and teachers can really benefit from this book in creating a refresh in the classroom.
— Marisa Huppert, senior program coordinator, professional and continuing education, University of San Diego
Dr. Popadines is a rising star whose insights into adult learning theory are derived from years of experience in implementing effective initiatives to address some of the challenges inherent in school improvement and student achievement. He has written an insightful book that identifies the relevant issues facing school communities while advancing several thought-provoking approaches to address these issues. His understanding of the intricacies of the relationship between continuous improvement and adult learning theory is noteworthy. Improving Schools: Simple Approaches and Understandings to Realize Growth is a viable resource for anyone involved in continuous school improvement.
— Aldridge A. Boone, Ed.D, former Virginia School Districts superintendent and former Department of Defense Education Association superintendent