Educating from the Heart: Theoretical and Practical Approaches to Transforming Education - Softcover

Aostre N. Johnson is a professor of education at Saint Michael's College in Vermont, where she teaches courses on integrated curriculum theory and practice and child development and directs the master's degree curriculum concentration. She has published a number of articles and co-edited a book related to creative, spiritual, and ethical approaches to education and has also founded and directed holistic schools for children.

Marilyn Webb Neagley has worked both locally and nationally for over forty years with non-profit organizations as a CEO, volunteer, trustee and/or consultant. She was most recently the recipient of an IPPY gold medal for best northeastern non-fiction for her book of reflections, Walking through the Seasons.

This book brings together some of the renowned voices in the field of education and spirituality so that each chapter offers up-to-date research and insights that inform and enlighten classroom theory and practice. The editors have carefully structured the contents so that there is a fluidity of movement from theory to practice throughout the book, thereby raising its appeal and access to both academics and teachers. It is a worthwhile resource for pre-service and postgraduate education programs, as well as for classroom teachers. (Marian de Souza, senior lecturer of religious education at Australian Catholic University, Watson; coeditor, Global Perspectives on Spirituality and Education (2014), and editor, Journal of Religious Education (2006-2012))

Educating From the Heart is a beacon of light given the current context of education. It illuminates ideas and practices that can enrich and empower the lives of students. It searches out the varied contexts where wholeness and heart-filled learning can be applied. And it disperses the dark shadows of conformity and meaningless accountability by its hopeful message and practical content. (Sam Crowell, faculty for the earth charter center and UNESCO chair for ESD and author of “Emergent Teaching: A Path of Creativity, Significance, and Transformation”)

The ideas in this book are presented in such a way that teachers will want to try these approaches themselves. The more theoretical chapters help provide a framework for the chapters on strategies by teachers who clearly are deeply invested in a holistic approach to teaching. This book fills an important gap in the literature on spirituality in education with its classroom based focus. (Dr. Jack Miller, professor of curriculum, teaching, and learning, University of Toronto; author of The Holistic Curriculum)

Educating from the Heart is a "must read" for all practicing school administrators and should be incorporated into any leadership development program for educators. Applying many of the principles and beliefs identified in this book challenges established practices and structures in our current "high stakes" testing environment. It is a compelling book relating to the topic of student well being that has to be addressed in a more systemic fashion in our schools. (Dr. Brian O'Regan, coordinator of Master's Program in Educational Leadership, Saint Michael's College, Vermont, and former Vermont deputy commissio)

Educating from the Heart offers both theoretical overviews and practical approaches to include elements of humanity, spirituality, and inner growth within the practical content of modern education. This book is for educators, academics, education students, and parents who are seeking a new way to present a more holistic education. (The Citizen)