Review
“Throughout In Praise of American Educators, DuFour exudes optimism…. Not only is his enthusiasm for change infectious, his bold recommendations are backed up by research and facts. This is a success-oriented book that educational professionals and policymakers alike should take to heart.”
—Foreword Clarion Reviews (five-starred review)
“DuFour’s book In Praise of American Educators: And How They Can Become Even Better truly lives up to its title. DuFour has written a comprehensive look at today’s educational landscape and addressed some it its most pressing issues. He also offers concrete solutions that can be implemented at any school, the kind of solutions that will make teachers’ working lives better while simultaneously improving the education that students will receive.”
—MiddleWeb
“A ‘stop the nonsense’ manifesto from one of the leading education practitioners in the United States. You won’t be able to read this book without getting the urge to immediately get down to positive action!”
—Michael Fullan, Professor Emeritus, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto
“Had enough teacher bashing? With a mountain of evidence and indisputable logic, Rick DuFour considers the prevailing hypotheses about the ills of American education and knocks them down, one by one. This book is Rick DuFour at his best: calm, deliberate, and incisive. His words will influence educators and educational leaders for decades to come.”
—Douglas Reeves, Founding Partner, Creative Leadership Solutions
“This book pulls together the powerful and decisive arguments that debunk myths of the ‘failure’ of U.S. schools. It is indispensable for understanding the current political climate and also vital to pointing the way forward. ‘Must-read’ is overused, but in this case, it is right on!”
—Jon Saphier, Founder and President, Research for Better Teaching
“This thoughtful, well-researched, and well-argued book is sure to influence and inspire those who read it.”
—Harvey Silver, President, Silver Strong & Associates and Thoughtful Education Press
“Rick DuFour crafts an aggressive, cogent defense of public schools and the teachers who serve our kids, effectively debunking most of the reforms intended to ‘fix’ them and offering solutions for moving forward to a better place in education.”
—Will Richardson, Publisher, Cofounder, Editorial Director, ModernLearner.com
“A must-read for anyone who cares about the future of our country, our schools, and our children. The clearest, most coherent piece on public education written in the last decade.”
—Thomas Many, Author and Educational Consultant
“This is a book only Rick DuFour could have written. It is panoramic in perspective, yet laser-focused in terms of message. It tells us what we have done well and on what we need to improve in a style and level of honesty that is characteristic of Rick’s large body of work and the manner in which he lives his life. We all need to take Rick’s message to heart.”
—Robert J. Marzano, CEO, Marzano Research
“One of education’s most influential voices offers a compelling perspective on the state of American education today and the collective commitment it will take to transform schools so that all students achieve at high levels.”
—Stephanie Hirsh, Executive Director, Learning Forward
“Everyone involved in education needs to read and act on the contents of this book.”
—Dylan Wiliam, Emeritus Professor of Educational Assessment, Institute of Education, University College London
About the Author
Richard DuFour, EdD
In a distinguished career spanning four decades, Dr. DuFour was a public-school educator, serving as a teacher, principal, and superintendent. A prolific author and consultant, he was recognized as one of the leading authorities on helping school practitioners implement the Professional Learning Communities at Work™ process in their schools and districts. Over the course of his career, he was the author of numerous books, including the best-selling Professional Learning Communities at Work™, Learning by Doing, and In Praise of American Educators.
During his 19-year tenure as a leader at Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois, Stevenson was one of only three schools in the nation to win the United States Department of Education Blue Ribbon Award on four occasions and the first comprehensive high school designated a New American High School as a model of successful school reform.
Dr. DuFour was named one of the Top 100 School Administrators in North America by Executive Educator magazine, was presented the Distinguished Scholar Practitioner Award from the University of Illinois, and was the 2004 recipient of the National Staff Development Council's Distinguished Service Award.
