"Honor the people -- it's the leader's work." Those simple but powerful words run like a red thread through the pages of this lovely and important book. They name the kind of leadership we need if our schools are to reclaim their vital educational mission. And they are utterly true to the author's life: I have never known anyone who honors others more deeply than David Hagstrom. So, read this book with confidence that its author knows what he is talking about, and walks his talk as well. Here is no mere theory, but a model of integrity in leadership that can help us renew our schools, support our teachers, and serve our children well.

Parker J. Palmer
(author of The Courage To Teach, and Let Your Life Speak)

It's not "another" feel good story about a remarkable school. It's one instead that made this reader rediscover what her work is all about, from the big picture to the little details that drive each day. It's a story worth telling, and thus worth reading about how respect, honor and passion join together to create a democratic community -- without intending that as the end at all. It wasn't a finished vision that drove this school's work, but rather what flowed from the work. And it's what David has given me -- some new questions, not answers, to drive the work of my school.

Deborah Meier, co-principal Mission Hill School, a Boston public school, and author of In Schools We Trust and The Power of Their Ideas

Using stories as his medium, David argues compellingly for a new definition of leadership and shares his remarkable experience in building an inclusive and bubbling up community of learners. This inviting book will warm your heart, stir your mind, and inform your practice.

Thomas J. Sergiovanni
Lillian Radford Professor of Education and Administration
Trinity University, San Antonio, Texas
His new book is Strengthening the Heartbeat: Leading and Learning Together

This book is a "must read" for anyone interested in creating an environment in which adults and children can bring their whole selves to the learning process. It is courageously sensitive, powerfully gentle, lovingly honest, passionately patient, and subtly rigorous. David shares his captivating story of the awakening of individual hearts to create a true community of learners. Embedded in the journey are "pearls of wisdom" about the teaching and learning process, leadership, organizational change, and creating community.

David has been courageous enough to know what we all know instinctively; if we are to encourage growth in schools, we must "honor the people" who are to make the change. As simple as this seems, it takes real courage to live by it, even greater courage to be able to bring it to life in print, and the greatest courage to be willing to share it with the world. Thank you David.

Rebecca van der Bogert
Superintendent of Schools, Winnetka, Illinois
and Co-Director of the International Network of Principals' Centers at Harvard University

Sometimes it is more important for a leader to pose the right question rather than to provide the right answer. The difference between a question and an answer is the difference between the beginning and the end. An answer has such finality. It shuts out further consideration and closes down discussion. But a worthy question has such potential! It is the seed that holds the promise of what can be. David's story of the Denali Project is a story of thoughtful leadership and a caring community that grew while nurturing the seed of a question that is elegant as well as timeless. It is a question that speaks for our children and calls for a response from the heart.

Elaine Nutter
School Administrator
Maine School Union, #132
Togus, Maine

This book inspires educators to lead from their hearts. David's stories evidence the relationship transformations that are possible when the entire school community is focused on learning. On reading this book, school leaders everywhere will be led to practices that will yield amazingly wonderful results for students and teachers. David's ways will get us what we want for our children and our schools.

Yvonne Curtis
Principal,
Terrebonne School
Terrebonne, Oregon