Perspectives on Flourishing in Schools

This book provides perspectives and insights across the educational system for how we might move toward living out this wish in all schools. The chapters provide perspectives on fundamental questions that have been guiding recent research on wellbeing in schools: How do school communities flourish together? How does supporting educator wellbeing connect to teaching, learning, leading in schools? What characteristics, qualities and strategies support the wellbeing of the whole school community? This book is unique in that it answers these questions from the perspectives of teachers, students, administrators in K-12 schools, as well as from university and the wider community. Importantly, these chapters provide a repertoire of varied answers to the question that underpins this shift in research toward a positive organizational perspective: How can we leverage what works well to grow more, to instill in each community member a sense of their value and capacity to contribute? These chapters serve as examples, invitations, and inspiration for readers to notice in their own contexts ways they can grow wellbeing through a focused attention on building appreciative, strengths-based, positive approaches to teaching, learning, and leading in all schools.

Flourishing schools is an inspiring vision for education. With an emphasis on wellbeing,  the concepts of flourishing and thriving are powerful motivators for positive change in schools. This book provides both the research and practices that educators will find helpful in realizing that change. 

Sabre Cherkowski is associate professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of British ColumbiaKeith Walker is professor in the Department of Educational Administration at the University of Saskatchewan