The Power of Voice in Schools: Listening, Learning, and Leading Together, May/2020

For nearly four decades, Russ Quaglia has been laying the groundwork to inform, reform, and transform schools through student voice. That deep commitment is reflected in this inspirational book. 

Quaglia and his coauthors at the Quaglia Institute for School Voice & Aspirations deftly synthesize the thoughts and feelings of hundreds of thousands of stakeholders and offer a vision for schools where everyone’s voice matters. They posit that students, teachers, administrators, and parents must work and learn together in ways that promote deep understanding and creativity. 

Making this collaborative effort successful, however, requires widespread recognition that all stakeholders have something to teach, and they all have a role to play in moving the entire school forward. 

We must abandon the “us versus them” fallacy in education; there is only “us.” To that end, The Power of Voice in Schools offers a way forward that can be used in any school and 

1. Addresses the importance of everyone’s voice in the school community.
2. Articulates the lessons learned from listening to these voices over the past decade.
3. Suggests concrete, practical strategies for combined teams of students, teachers, parents, and administrators to make a difference together.

This book reflects the dream of a true partnership in listening, learning, and leading together. When the potential of voice is fully realized, schools will look and feel different. Cooperation will replace competition and conflict, collaboration will replace isolation, and confidence will replace insecurity. Most important, the entire school community will work in partnership with one another for the well-being of students and teachers.

About the Authors:

Dr. Russ Quaglia is a pioneer in the field of education, known for his unwavering dedication to student voice and aspirations. His innovative work is evidenced by an extensive library of research-based publications and media appearances. He has authored the School Voice suite of surveys and best-selling books, including Student Voice: The Instrument of Change and Engagement by Design. Dr. Quaglia's most recent award-winning publication is a children's book, Cay and Adlee Find Their Voice, which was cowritten with his daughter, Cali. His commitment and lifelong dedication to student voice led him to cofound the recently formed Australian Institute for Voice and Aspirations. Dr. Quaglia has become a frequent visitor to schools and institutions around the world, demonstrating his passion for ensuring that students', teachers', principals', and parents' voices are always heard, honored, and acted upon.

Dr. Kristine Fox is a senior field director at the Quaglia Institute for School Voice and Aspirations. She has led professional development initiatives at the state, district, and school level throughout the United States, Canada, and England. Dr. Fox is a former school administrator and author of several books, including Aspire High: Imagining Tomorrow's School Today and Parent Voice: Being in Tune with Your Kids and Their School, as well as the ASCD quick reference guide Student Voice in the Classroom. Dr. Fox's passion for learning and supporting educators includes advising doctoral students as a committee member.

Dr. Lisa Lande has dedicated her professional endeavors to advocating for teachers and students around the world. It is her aspiration that every classroom in every school is one in which she would want her own three children to learn. Dr. Lande is a former high school teacher, college professor, and director of several large-scale school improvement projects. She currently serves as a senior field director for the Quaglia Institute for School Voice and Aspirations. Dr. Lande is coauthor of Teacher Voice: Amplifying Success and Engagement by Design: Creating Learning Environments Where Students Thrive.

Deborah Young is the director of operations and a program specialist for the Quaglia Institute for School Voice and Aspirations. Young earned a Master of Education degree from Smith College, has teaching experience in both public and private schools, and coauthored Parent Voice: Being in Tune with Your Kids and Their School. She holds a strong belief that mutual respect between teachers and students is essential to fostering students' aspirations and that a key component of developing a positive, respectful learning environment is honoring the voices of all stakeholders.