Across America, many parents realize that their children are not receiving the education that they need, yet they do not know how to navigate change in the schools. This timely book provides parents with an overview of the major obstacles that plague our schools today. Gunzelmann graciously offers practical advice to parents such as to first listen carefully to the educational needs and concerns expressed by their children. She then provides different avenues that parents can use to successfully navigate their children's specific academic, emotional and/or health needs in the K–12 schools.
— Diane Connell, professor of education, Rivier College, New Hampshire
Hidden Dangers to Kid's Learning: Parent Guide to Cope with Educational Roadblocks serves as an important reminder to parents, teachers and schools: we don't teach reading, science, or mathematics - we teach children. By reading Dr. Gunzelmann's informative book, parents will develop a better understanding of obstacles that could potentially interfere with their child's learning and achievement. How can parents become empowered to be equal and active partners in their child's education? This book provides concrete suggestions for achieving this goal, ensuring that not only their child, but every child, will be afforded the opportunity to thrive emotionally, socially, and academically in our schools.
— Cathy Stavenger, associate professor, School of Education, Southern New Hampshire University
Kudos to Betsy Gunzelmann for opening the blinds and shedding light in a balanced, caring and empowering manner on the hidden dangers that exist in many of our nation's schools and that if unaddressed will continue to impede the learning of our children.Gunzelmann reflects on the importance of a holistic, optimistic, and constructivistic approach to educating our nation's young people and shows how we as students, parents, teachers, administrators and policy makers can take charge of our children's education, how we can move beyond the status quo, and how we can work collaboratively to make positive, lasting change one student and one school at a time. This important and proactive guide is a must read for all parents whether their children are experiencing educational roadblocks or not, whether they have students just entering the school system or closer to graduation. It is never too early or too late to help our children tap into their unique potential and learn to take an active role in their education. It is never too early or too late to be reflective about what quality education means to us and to our children. In fact it is now time to work collaboratively at the local level, as Gunzelmann proposes in her call to action, and to advocate for school
— Elizabeth Fletcher Foy, founder/president, Leadership Teacher, and cofounder, The SESL Challenge
Hidden Dangers to Kids' Learning is every parent?s vade mecum, a companion book to empower parents as they advocate for their children making their way through the school system. She points out the system?s potholes?hidden but crippling?and its compulsion to identify ?the problem? as the child?s, cleverly shifting attention away from where it really belongs: on the entrenched resistance of schools to utilizing the latest research. Gunzelmann sees a new day emerging in education, hope reigniting. But if this is to unfold, it must come up from the grass roots?from the parents trusting their own intuitions over the assertions of the ?experts.? This new book flows with a delightful, conversational style that is down to earth, clear, and confident. Her words enable the parent to successfully support his or her child. Gunzelmann's heart is truly in every page..
— Hilary E. Bender, professor emeritus, School of Education, Boston University; core faculty at Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology; and
Gunzelmann provides a lense through which critical components of schools, climate and community, can be examined. She shows us why we cannot take these attributes of schools for granted and why parents and educators must insist on school communities that are safe, welcoming, and poised to assure success for every student.
— Cathy Chesley, founder, Hopkinton Independent School
Kudos to Betsy Gunzelmann for opening the blinds and shedding light in a balanced, caring and empowering manner on the hidden dangers that exist in many of our nation's schools and that if unaddressed will continue to impede the learning of our children. Gunzelmann reflects on the importance of a holistic, optimistic, and constructivistic approach to educating our nation's young people and shows how we as students, parents, teachers, administrators and policy makers can take charge of our children's education, how we can move beyond the status quo, and how we can work collaboratively to make positive, lasting change one student and one school at a time. This important and proactive guide is a must read for all parents whether their children are experiencing educational roadblocks or not, whether they have students just entering the school system or closer to graduation. It is never too early or too late to help our children tap into their unique potential and learn to take an active role in their education. It is never too early or too late to be reflective about what quality education means to us and to our children. In fact it is now time to work collaboratively at the local level, as Gunzelmann proposes in her call to action, and to advocate for school climates that foster positive educational outcomes for all students and that work to empower all students to become active lifelong learners and engaged citizens.
— Elizabeth Fletcher Foy, founder/president, Leadership Teacher, and cofounder, The SESL Challenge
Hidden Dangers to Kids' Learning is every parent's vade mecum, a companion book to empower parents as they advocate for their children making their way through the school system. She points out the system's potholes—hidden but crippling—and its compulsion to identify “the problem” as the child's, cleverly shifting attention away from where it really belongs: on the entrenched resistance of schools to utilizing the latest research.Gunzelmann sees a new day emerging in education, hope reigniting. But if this is to unfold, it must come up from the grass roots—from the parents trusting their own intuitions over the assertions of the “experts.”This new book flows with a delightful, conversational style that is down to earth, clear, and confident. Her words enable the parent to successfully support his or her child. Gunzelmann's heart is truly in every page.
— Hilary E. Bender, professor emeritus, School of Education, Boston University; core faculty at Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology; and
She identifies specific problems and gives realistic solutions…. This is a useful resource for all child advocates such as lay people to professionals who want a superior 'educational fit' for every child…. As a teacher, counselor and educator who has worked from primary to tertiary levels, and experienced a son who did not 'fit the system,' I found this book well presented, insightful and provided reassuring 'ah hah' moments. Included is sufficient information for adults to question, take action, feel empowered, advocate and build resiliency skills for the sake of children who may not 'fit the system.'…. I strongly recommend it.
— Educational Review