Renegade Leadership: Creating Innovative Schools for Digital-Age Students

by Brad R. Gustafson

Overview

Get ready to be a renegade with this how-to leadership guide.

We’re all looking for the next best app and what’s just beyond the tech horizon. But why don’t we have the same progressive appetite for pedagogy that we have for technology? Renegade leadership may just be the answer we’ve been searching for.

Merging best practice with innovation, renegade leadership demands a call to action in the digital age by creating student-centered instructional leadership that connects equity, culture, and technology. After reading this book, you will learn how to:

• Apply transformational tenets of connected pedagogy to your work
• Increase your leadership capacity in curriculum, instruction, cultural proficiency, and school improvement
• Lead staff meetings, plan personalized professional development, and improve student learning through more responsive teaching practices

Using the latest research, vignettes from educational leaders, and profiles of inspiring renegades, this book challenges you to lead in the digital age. The only real question is…are you ready to become a renegade?


"Renegade Leadership is so crucial to the work that we do in education.  Why can’t schools be the place that other organizations look to for innovation?"
George Couros, Innovative teaching, learning, and leadership consultant  and Author of The Innovator’s Mindset; Alberta, Canada

"Dr. Brad Gustafson provides invigorating, concrete examples of strategic thinking and skills for educational leaders to fill the vacuum that exists in many educational settings. Gustafson asserts that leadership and change in education are irrevocably intertwined."
Jon Corippo, Director of Academic Innovation, CUE

"Renegade Leadership demonstrates what student-centered schools look like in the digital age. When we get relationships and pedagogy right, we can transform the very nature of learning. This is a book our students desperately need us all to read."
Erin Klein, Scholastic Top Teacher and Michigan Teacher of the Year

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781506334233
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	08/08/2016
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	192
File size:	12 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Dr. Brad Gustafson is an elementary principal in Minnesota. Brad has pioneered efforts to update pedagogy so it is responsive to the needs of digital age students. He is a TEDx and keynote speaker who exudes a passion for learning that is palpable.

Brad was a national Digital Innovation in Learning Award (DILA) winner, and a Bammy Award Finalist in the category of Elementary School Principal. He was also a finalist for National Distinguished Principal in 2016.  Brad’s blog, Adjusting Course, was recognized with an Editor’s Choice Content Award by Smartbrief Education. It was named as a “Must-Read” K-12 blog by EdTech Magazine, and a finalist for Best Administrator Blog by the EduBlog Awards.

Brad earned his Doctoral degree at Bethel University where his research focused on innovation and professional development. You can connect with him on Twitter via @GustafsonBrad or visit his website at www.bradgustafson.com

Table of Contents

LIST OF FIGURES
FOREWORD
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
INTRODUCTION: RENEGADES NEEDED
What Is Renegade Leadership?
Why Renegade Leadership?
The Renegade CODE
Special Features
Outcomes
CHAPTER 1. RENEGADE LEADERSHIP DEFINED
Renegade Leadership Defined
Epic Fail: Neglecting to Acknowledge Standard Work
The Code of the West
The Renegade CODE
Best Practice and Innovation
The Renegade Leadership Difference
Equity in Action
Instructional Leadership in Action
What Renegade Leadership Is Not
Real-Life Renegade: Atul Gawande
What Are We Saying “Yes” To?
Renegade Leadership Scale Directions
Double Down on Self-Reflection
CHAPTER 2. RELATIONSHIPS AND CULTURE
Relationships and Connectedness
Real-Life Renegade: Lucy Stone
Understanding School Culture
The Science of Accelerated Change
Starting a New Leadership Position
Equity in Action
Renegade Profile: Sarah Thomas
Traditions Perpetuate Mindsets
Putting People First
How to “Flip” Your Open House
Epic Fail: Putting Paperwork Before People
How to Reprioritize Relationships Through Relational Rounds
Best Practice and Innovation
Instructional Leadership in Action
Renegade Research
Double Down on School Culture
CHAPTER 3. THE RENEGADE CODE
The Renegade CODE
The Renegade CODE in Action
Epic Fail: Talking Technology Without the Mention of Pedagogy
Best Practice and Innovation
Inherently Connected
Understanding the Status Quo
Understanding State Standards
Real-Life Renegade: Jackson Pollock
Where Pedagogy Meets Innovation
Renegade Research
Modeling the Renegade CODE
Creating Culture
Renegade Profile: Adam Welcome
How to Practice the Renegade CODE
Double Down on Modeling Connected Learning
CHAPTER 4. COLLABORATION FOR DIGITAL-AGE STUDENTS
Collaboration
Real-Life Renegade: Rosa Parks
Modeling the Renegade CODE
Creating Student Wins
Creating Culture
How to Start a Collaborative Podcast
Parent Partnerships
Digital-Age Communications
Renegade Profile: Jen Hegna
Understanding the Status Quo
Fearless Collaboration
Great Minds Think Differently
Passport to Passion
Equity in Action
Trickle-Down Collaboration
Instructional Leadership in Action
Double Down on Collaboration
CHAPTER 5. OWNERSHIP: EMPOWERING DIGITAL-AGE STUDENTS
Ownership
Real-Life Renegade: Patsy Sherman
Creating Culture
Epic Fail: Underestimating What Kids Are Capable Of
Students as Stakeholders
Renegade Profile: Jennie Magiera
Amplify Student Voice
Potential Pitfalls
Creating Student Wins
How to Bring Student Ownership to Board Meetings
The Renegade Leadership Difference
True Learner Empowerment
Traditions Perpetuate Mindsets
Double Down on Student Ownership
CHAPTER 6. DIGITAL CONNECTIVITY FOR DIGITAL-AGE STUDENTS
Digital Connectivity
Real-Life Renegade: Ole Kirk Christiansen
Classrooms as Mirrors
Deeper Learning Through Flipped Instruction
Consider the Positives
How to Live-Stream a School Event
Transparency Transforms Learning
Relationships and Connectedness
Potential Pitfalls
Parent Partnerships
THINK
Social Media Scaffolding
Equity in Action
Renegade Profile: Daisy Dyer Duerr
Creating a Culture
How to Create a Culture of Connectedness Using a School Hashtag
Where Pedagogy Meets Innovation
Double Down on Digital Connectivity
CHAPTER 7. EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING IS DEEPER LEARNING
Experiential Learning
Real-Life Renegade: Noah Webster
Relationships and Connectedness
Understanding State Standards
Best Practice and Innovation
How to Facilitate Experiential Learning With Drone Technology
Where Pedagogy Meets Innovation
Creating Student Wins
Instructional Leadership in Action
Creating a Culture
Modeling the Renegade CODE
Relationships Are the Experience
Renegade Profile: Sandy Otto
Double Down on the Learning Experience
CHAPTER 8. INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP FOR THE DIGITAL AGE
Improving Practice
Real-Life Renegade: Dick Fosbury
Instructional Leadership in Action
Renegade Profile: Jill Johnson
Best Practice and Innovation
Improving Practice Through Conversation
Equity in Action
Epic Fail: Being Unprepared to Respond to Culturally Insensitive Comments
Confronting Racism Through Conversation
How to Hold a Culturally Responsive Conversation
Creating Culture
True Learner Empowerment
How to Bring MakerSpace Learning to Your School
How to Fund a MakerSpace
Transforming Learning Spaces
Improving Practice Through Renegade Leadership
Double Down on Improving Practice
CHAPTER 9. PERSONALIZED PD TO EMPOWER EDUCATORS
Microcredentialing and Digital Badges
Real-Life Renegade: Dave Grohl
Amplify Student Voice
True Learner Empowerment
Renegade Profile: Sheilah Jefferson-Isaac
How to Create Breakout Sessions for Staff PD
Instructional Leadership in Action
Creating Culture
Modeling the Renegade CODE
Renegade Profile: Todd Nesloney
Renegade Research
How to Cultivate Connected PD
How to Organize an Edcamp
Bring the Edcamp Experience to Your Staff
Creating Student Wins
Putting People First
Best Practice and Innovation
Epic Fail: Undercommunicating Change
Double Down on PD
CHAPTER 10. ACTIVATE YOUR RENEGADE LEADERSHIP
Six Subtle Shifts
Subtle Shift 1: Help Mentor Teachers
Double Down on Mentoring
Subtle Shift 2: Make Our Own Learning Visible
Renegade Profile: Jon Corippo
Double Down on Learning
Subtle Shift 3: Celebrate and Support New Teachers
Renegade Profile: Jimmy Casas
Double Down on Support
Subtle Shift 4: Prioritize 10 Percent–Type Conversations
Double Down on 10 Percent–Type Conversations
Subtle Shift 5: Revitalize Hiring Practices
Double Down on Hiring
Subtle Shift 6: Focus on a Pedagogy That Amplifies Learning
Double Down on Focus
Call to Action
RESOURCES
REFERENCES
INDEX

Editorial Reviews

Brad provides an interesting and enthusiastic perspective to instructional leadership for digital-native students in the 21st century. This is a must-read for all K-12 administrators who are trying to develop connectedness between faculty, students, curriculum, and technology.

Travis Thurston

Renegade Leadership has the most comprehensive companion website I've seen. It offers flipped videos, community forum components, and diverse opportunities to extend educators’ learning as far as they choose. The book and website together provide extensive and intensive personalized professional development that readers will want to dive into over and over again.

Jason Bretzmann

In Renegade Leadership, Dr. Brad Gustafson provides invigorating, concrete examples of strategic thinking and skills for educational leaders to fill the vacuum that exists in many educational settings. Gustafson asserts that leadership and change in education are irrevocably intertwined. Renegade Leadership is there for everyone to partake - you just have to decide to commit.

Jon Corippo

"Renegade Leadership demonstrates what student-centered schools look like in the digital age. When we get relationships and pedagogy right, we can transform the very nature of learning. The vulnerability of Brad Gustafson's open sharing combined with his practical advice make this an incredible classroom resource. This is a book our students desperately need us all to read. "

Erin Klein

It is important that we start to think differently about leadership. Renegade Leadership is so crucial to the work that we do in education. If we do change right, schools can be a place where we are not just trying to catch up to the innovation around us, but we can be leading it for the entire world. Think about it . . . why can’t schools be the place that other organizations look to for innovation?

George Couros

"Dr. Brad Gustafson’s compendium of workable ideas will provide school leaders with guidance and the best PD they will have had for a long time. Readers will be moved by his contagious enthusiasm as he shares the great ideas that worked in his school. "

Neil Mac Neill

"Engaging, sincere. Creative ideas are presented within every chapter as well as rich possibilities for innovating student and staff learning . . . This text contains content with the potency of a time machine many school leaders dream of having: take me to relevant, simple yet profound ideas to bring instruction and curriculum at my school into the new realm of learning to prepare students for their world. "

Virginia E. Kelsen

"WOW! Renegade Leadership is loaded with great ideas that any educator could adapt in their own space. I particularly loved the concrete examples of innovation happening in Brad’s school; from the drone challenges, and community service group, to the live-streaming of events so students with sensory issues can join from their classrooms. This book offers a glimpse into the future of best practice. The pedagogy is presented by a practitioner who understands the importance of purpose and higher-level learning. I am so inspired by this text and cannot wait to try some of the ideas in our own district. This is a MUST READ for all educators and especially educational leaders! "

Tony Sinanis

"Renegade Leadership is a gold mine of inspiring stories, practical ideas and authentic examples of school transformation. It's a book that all educators should read, as we can all be leaders in improving schools no matter what our title or position."

Jennie Magiera

"The concept of renegade leadership is an idea whose time has come in an age of educational volatility and insecurity. "

John Robinson

"A great combination of discussion on pedagogy, professional learning, digital age instructional leadership, culture, and relationships – this book provides so many opportunities for reflection as well as turnkey strategies that will impact the cultures of our schools. The power of the instructional leader is captured in inspiring ways; I found myself wanting to put this in the hands of all my principals for immediate use in their buildings. "

Rich Hall

Be prepared to be inspired! I’m a huge fan of Brad Gustafson because of the energy and passion he puts into his leadership. In Renegade Leadership: Creating Innovative Schools for Digital-Age Students, readers will feel that energy and passion in each and every page. Gustafson offers a step-by-step how to guide for school leaders. Read, learn and innovate!

Peter De Witt

“Be prepared to be inspired! I’m a huge fan of Brad Gustafson because of the energy and passion he puts into his leadership. In Renegade Leadership: Creating Innovative Schools for Digital-Age Students, readers will feel that energy and passion in each and every page. Gustafson offers a step-by-step how to guide for school leaders. Read, learn and innovate!”

Peter DeWitt

"Dr. Brad Gustafson’s compendium of workable ideas will provide school leaders with guidance and the best PD they will have had for a long time. Readers will be moved by his contagious enthusiasm as he shares the great ideas that worked in his school."

Neil MacNeill