Terry M. Brown, Ed.D.
Outskirts Press (2010)
ISBN 9781432755126
Reviewed by Christine Watson for Reader Views (08/10)
Terry Brown offers some very interesting insight when he defines the different roles in public education and what they should be ideally doing to best help students. He breaks down the entire public education system from district duties, to school principal roles; he defines teacher tasks, and finally, the job of the student. It all boils down to curriculum, instruction and assessment, the role that each part of the education system plays to make it successful. Ultimately, the superintendent of the school district is responsible for the success of the students within that district. In order for success to happen, strong leaders must be placed within the system.
Principals play a critical role and the title of chapter four sums it up nicely: Define Success. Dr. Brown suggests that there are many characteristics that help define a successful principal. Some of those are intelligence, creativity, insight, and being inquisitive. Principals are always looking for ways to improve the school. They are the support for the teachers, which is a critical piece of the system.
Dr. Brown suggests that when teachers are given an opportunity to share their professional opinions and offer input, collaboration takes place that strengthens the community. He also says that there must be a balance between curriculum, instruction, and assessment in order to keep a sense of “checks and balances” in place, similar to the three branches of the federal government.
The final section of this book discusses the ‘Individual Quadrants for Success Model.’ Dr. Brown models how breadth is broken into quadrants of the student’s mind, with intrinsic, extrinsic, limited and extended. He states that there are four rooms of the mind, and teachers must learn how to access the right room so true learning can take place.
This book offers suggestions and advice for all personnel involved in the public school system. “Rooms of the Mind: Quadrants for Success” is a great resource for teachers and administrators alike.
