"A warm and stirring history of a truly democratic public school . . . thousands of good teachers will be grateful to Dave Lehman for holding up a wiser vision of the kind of education every child deserves." --Jonathan Kozol
In A Principal's Notebook, Dave Lehman, Ph.D. shares the wisdom he gained in founding and leading the Lehman Alternative Community School for three decades. Using his experience as a roadmap, Lehman provides practical support and tools for those wishing to start an alternative secondary school or community organization. Inspiring in its scope and detail, the story of the school's beginning, growth, and transformation is a chance for readers to witness the great heart it takes to dream, adapt, and fight for collaborative, democratic education. There are lessons here for current and future, public and non-public, school principals, teachers, and parents/caregivers, with a focus on students and social justice.
In its 44th year, the Lehman Alternative Community School is one of the most radical and longlasting, public democratic alternative schools in the country; serving students grades 6 through 12 in Ithaca, New York. By building personal relationships across differences at the center, the school consistently demonstrates its progressive vision, working collaboratively to continue to be relevant and real.
Committed to the belief that student voice and democratic decision-making should be involved nationally in the alternative education movement, LACS continues to encourage teachers and students to be active contributors. Attending educational conferences throughout the country, building understanding, and acting to help address issues and solve problems, LACS continues to expand the conversation about alternative education, demonstrating that student involvement is critical, possible, and necessary.
