I would like to share a new book I finished reading called The Magical Place We Call School: Creating a Safe Space for Learning and Happiness in a Challenging World by Dr. Kathleen Corley (Author), Glenn Plaskin I received a copy of this book in exchange for this review. Inside this post are my affiliate links if you click on the links and make a purchase I will make a small percentage from the items you purchase.
‘Like a lot of parents I’ve homeschooled my son but also had him in public school at times. Not only that I even worked in schools and day cares and these jobs are hard. No, matter if your teaching now or 30 years ago teachers jobs are time consuming and stressful. Through The Magical Place We Call School: Creating a Safe Space for Learning and Happiness in a Challenging World I learned how to change things up in our homeschool and even remembered its okay to have fun at times.
I enjoyed learning about Dr. Corley who has taken the time to write about her journey as an educator, principal, and life-long learner. Dr. Corley discusses what it takes to make school a magical place to teach, to learn, and to be loved AND how ALL members of a school community play a part in the MAGIC!
The Magical Place We Call School: Creating a Safe Space for Learning and Happiness in a Challenging World is for new teachers, veteran teachers, administrators, and anyone else who is interested in finding joy in the classroom and may be struggling on what to do next. If this is you or someone you know they should grab a copy! of Dr. Kathy Corley’s book which is a Godsend for all educational personal but even parents can benefit from the book and knowing the book is about real places, real teachers, and real challenges made the book even more relatable.
I loved reading the anecdotes Corley shares and the examples that illustrate what a school can be, when the school is staffed with creative and inspired teachers and staff members who are supported and cheered on by a thoughtful administrator. Which is exactly what Charlie’s Elementary School was. The only downfall was all the BULLYING which no, matter how hard the PRINICPAL worked to combat it he couldn’t stop it which lead to us Homeschooling Charlie which is sad because the staff in that school did so much for Charlie.
Corley’s style of writing is conversational with humor thrown in at time, and the Author took the time to include references to sources and research that reinforce her recommendations and stances. The Magical Place We Call School: Creating a Safe Space for Learning and Happiness in a Challenging World by Dr. Kathleen Corley is a great reminder that the last thirty years in education have been far from trouble-free, yet great schools have existed and continue to do so.
Whatever challenges the coming years have in store, The Magical Place We Call School: Creating a Safe Space for Learning and Happiness in a Challenging World by Dr. Kathleen Corley provides a promise that if a school had a team of passionate teachers, support staff, and other partners– a school with an equally passionate, creative, and visionary leader at the helm can still create magic for the students lucky enough to come through its doors which includes Private Schools, Public Schools and even Homeschools.
About the book:
There is no shortage of challenges in schools today—from bullying to gun violence and beyond—yet The Magical Place We Call School reminds us of the extraordinary things that still happen in classrooms all across America and that school truly can be a safe and happy place for learning.
At a time when public discourse rages on about what students should or should not be taught, when books are being banned, when school shootings fill the news, and when families are still reeling from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic—here comes The Magical Place We Call School. With its fresh focus on the power and perils of education, it’s an intentional way of thinking that will intrigue readers everywhere.
In her literary debut, school principal Dr. Kathleen Corley, a forty-year veteran in elementary education, writes knowingly and with unique humor and insight about the value of education, how kids think and learn, what they need to succeed in and out of school, and how their home life affects their performance. Plus, she tackles some of the most daunting societal issues impacting children today, from bullying to gun violence and beyond.
Dr. Corley reminds us that something extraordinary still occurs in classrooms across America—not just miraculously, but by design and with tenacity.
In The Magical Place We Call School, Corley shares human interest stories that shed light on what is and isn’t working and provides a calm hand and a much-needed perspective from the front lines of learning. Her deep caring for the children, educators, and parents in her midst shines through, providing a true sense of what she calls “the magic of schools.” It’s a book not to be missed
Meet the Author: Dr. Kathleen Corley
Dr. Kathleen Corley is an award-winning educator, an authority on school culture, the charismatic principal at Red Cedar Elementary School in Bluffton, S.C. Renowned for her unique communication and management skills, Corley has a bachelor’s in music education from the University of Illinois, a master’s in music administration from Chicago Musical College, Roosevelt University, and a Doctorate in Educational Administration from the University of Illinois. Chicago-born, Dr. Corley began her career in education as an elementary music teacher, and then transitioned to education administration to make a wider impact upon student achievement and school culture.
She entered the administrative ranks as an assistant principal in Palatine, Illinois, then became an elementary school principal in Lynchburg, Virginia, Salem Massachusetts, and Bluffton, South Carolina. She was the founding principal at three of those schools, and has been an educator for over 40 years (and still counting). Corley has been an assistant professor at Salem State University and continues to mentor principals. A life-long Cubs fan, Corley lives in Bluffton, South Carolina with her husband, Wayne, and dogs Wrigley and Fenway. The Magical Place We Call School represents her debut as an author.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
