Books

The Emerald Handbook of Wellbeing in Higher Education: Global Perspectives on Students, Faculty, Leaders, and Institutions

There has been an increased focus on the need to address the wellbeing and mental health challenges that affect humans across organizational settings, including the higher education sector.

This comprehensive Handbook is organized into three sections: student wellbeing, faculty and leader wellbeing, and wellbeing initiatives at institutional or systems-level. Scholars from around the globe discuss initiatives, practices, and structures that provide a positive outlook on individual and organizational flourishing in higher learning and offer lessons from efforts to promote positive emotional and social aspects for students, leaders, and faculty. Topics include student resilience and leadership, supervisory relationships, appreciative mentoring, student thriving, issues of mental and physical health, faculty and leader wellbeing, development of wellbeing interventions and health promotion frameworks, and international student wellbeing.

The interventions and experiences presented in The Emerald Handbook of Wellbeing in Higher Education are aimed at enhancing flourishing among students, faculty and staff, and across institutions. This Handbook will be helpful to higher education leaders and managers as they consider ways to promote and implement wellbeing strategies within their institutions, whilst encouraging all readers to adopt an appreciative, strengths-based, positive approach to teaching, learning, and leading in higher education contexts.

Storying Wise Leadership: Learning from Fables, Myths and Legends

This book is an example of how classic storytelling and conventional wisdom fuses with and complements contemporary educational leader challenges. There are three chapters written in this book to provide a view from several thousand feet up; especially with respect to helping us to see fables and legends as “ways of knowing” and appreciating the place of story in the work of leading. The themes found in this book are wide-ranging. The reader will see “storied-commentary” on humility, generosity, sensitivity, authenticity, and wisdom which are featured as leader capacities and servant-like qualities. There are also many stories that speak to leaders’ need for engendering trust, balancing interests, and having empathy in their work as leaders who prize solidarity and compassion. There are stories of adapting forms of leadership which seeks foresightedness and realistic perspective-finding, leading with excellence in communications, realism and avoidance of toxicity and moral descent. All these themes are interwoven and complex in stories, as well as in life and work settings. We invite the reader to generate their own sense of the “moral of the story,” application to educational leadership and, indeed, their own experience and sense of what the literature and research might say about the topics to be exercised.

We have organized the book into three sections: 1) leader capacities; 2) relational capacities; and 3) situational capacities. Although the lessons that we draw from these fables and legends, in true story fashion, are varied in interpretation according to the reader or listener. We have endeavored to witness the key themes elucidated by the student authors by deriving these provisional themes. Each fable chapter is followed by reflection and conversation questions.   Leader capacities are illustrative of the revelatory qualities of leadership in servant leadership, humility, generosity, and acuity of the needs of followers. Under “Leader Capacities” section, we also explore authenticity, self-proving, self-knowledge, and wisdom as leaders orient themselves to their callings. The “Relational Capacities” section includes lessons in trust, unity, solidarity, collaboration, and balancing interests. As these insights chronicle leadership growth in community and relational capacities they also explore emotional intelligence, humour, compassion, reciprocity, promise keeping, and empathy. These qualities are situated within the context of relationship and demonstrate the emergence and role of character in leadership. In the “Situational Capacities” section, we explore issues of resiliency, adaptability, synchronicity, perspective, finding diligence, persuasion, and communication as the leadership mantle is defined in relation to context and experience. Situational capacities also explore toxicity, conflict, succumbing to fears, overconfidence, unrealistic expectations, deceit, distrust, and dishonesty. These are the leadership guard rails that push back to the center when leaders drift from their core. Together, these themes serve to tour the reader through the many and varied interpretations, insights, and revelations that will be better informed by what the reader needs, than what the authors tell. We hope that this preface serves its purpose as a roadmap and we invite you to encounter each fable and legend, and the analysis and questions that follow, on your own terms and for your own purposes.

Mentoring for Wellbeing Across the Professions and Disciplines

Mentoring for Wellbeing Across the Professions and Disciplines offers invaluable insights into how mentorship can enhance wellbeing across various fields and professional settings. By focusing on the dual aims of personal support and professional learning, this book highlights the often-overlooked positive impact of mentoring on both mentors and mentees. It provides practical advice and theoretical perspectives on how developmental relationships foster mutual trust and benefit all parties involved, ultimately helping mentees assimilate into new roles and develop essential skills.

The book delves into the connection between mentorship and wellbeing, exploring how mentoring can promote mental health, build resilience, and sustain emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing in different organizational settings. Through a collection of works from international authors, this book examines the theory and practice of mentorship, offering a comprehensive understanding of how mentoring can enhance wellbeing in K-12 schools, higher education, healthcare, pastoral care, and even aviation. The chapters present stories and perspectives that deepen our understanding of the multifaceted benefits of mentoring.

By addressing various dimensions of wellbeing-physical, social, emotional, financial, intellectual, spiritual, environmental, and occupational-this volume provides a holistic view of the positive impact of mentoring. It discusses developmental relationships, program initiatives, and strategies that foster positive organizational cultures and personal growth. Mentoring for Wellbeing Across the Professions and Disciplines is a must-read for anyone interested in the transformative power of mentoring, offering practical applications and new avenues for future research and study.

Leadership Alchemy: Integrating Servant and Transformational Leadership for Organizational Excellence

Leadership Alchemy: Integrating Servant and Transformational Leadership for Organizational Excellence explores the intersection of two influential leadership models, aiming to uncover their combined potential for organizational excellence. Authors Darcia Ann-Marie Roache and Keith D. Walker go beyond the established boundaries of leadership studies by proposing a synergistic approach that integrates the strengths of both servant and transformational leadership. Synthesizing contemporary research and practical insights, the authors introduce innovative frameworks, tools, and strategies that reflect the evolving demands of the modern workplace. By addressing the challenges and opportunities associated with the integration of servant and transformational leadership, the book contributes to the ongoing conversation about effective leadership practices.

Varieties of Qualitative Research Methods: Selected Contextual Perspectives

This book is a compilation of more than 70 qualitative research concepts that are used by researchers and practitioners in the social sciences and humanities. The concepts include methods and methodologies applied in qualitative research in various contexts. Each concept is a standalone chapter that is authored by a researcher or practitioner who has had some scholarly experience with it. The chapters are alphabetized using the titles of the concepts to provide easy access for readers. They follow a prescribed outline which ensures homogeneity in the layout of the book. Each chapter starts with a brief historical background of the concept, followed by a concise description of the concept, and the process used in its application. Readers are then provided with the possible ways in which the concept can be used, and its benefits. Each chapter concludes by providing readers with some strengths and limitations of the concept and a list of references that authors have used in the chapter. 

Let Us Pray

This is a collection of prayer for those who pray, those who would like to pray and for those who would like to learn to pray.  These prayers are in the Christian and Biblical tradition and the prayers give attention to personal and collective dependence on God for the general, the emergent and particular needs of others and our own needs. 

Leadership for Flourishing in Educational Contexts

Featuring voices from academics, practitioners, school system leaders, school administrators, and graduate students from across Canada and abroad, this unique edited collection offers conceptual discussions and empirical examples of leadership for flourishing in a variety of educational contexts. This volume affirms that by fostering positive leadership, striving for well-being, and encouraging flourishing for all, significant benefits and new potentials will be felt throughout the learning communities. Grounded in theoretical approaches of positive leadership, positive psychology, and positive organizational scholarship, the accounts from K–12, post-secondary, and professional contexts explore the impacts and influences of leadership at all levels of education.

Case Studies for Educators in Canadian Schools: Applications for Practice

As K-12 teachers who then became university professors, Matthew Meyers and Keith Walker have used case studies and scenarios in their courses and workshops for many years. They have refined their facilitation and content to assist their students’ sense of dealing with real situations in their professional lives as educators. Effective decision making and approaches to ethical quandaries in principled fashion are at the root of this instructor and student-friendly textbook. The quandaries and scenarios are expressions of circumstances, issues and situations that Canadian educators have and will continue to face. Matthew’s background as a playwright and Keith’s insights about how leaders might best process and make tough decisions contribute to the usefulness of this book.

Praying with the Psalmists

This is a book that provides morning and evening prayers. based on those prayed by the Psalmist, the author and an array of hymns and prayers for each morning and evening. This book is suitable for those who wish to be encouraged in their prayers by the words of Scripture and the prayers of others.

Positive Leadership for Flourishing Schools

Most educators will agree that they would love to see each student and staff member in schools flourish. Furthermore, it would be great to see entire communities experience the transformative power of circumstances that feature happy and vibrant learning. However, what does it mean to experience flourishing in schools? What is the role of positive leadership in this process? What can we learn from inquiring into the positive emotional and social aspects of the work of school leaders? Building on our research on flourishing in schools, this book highlights the stories and perspectives of educators and school leaders at all levels of the school system and demonstrate the intricacies of how positive leadership contributes to well-being in schools and encourages flourishing in these schools.

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.

Mindful Alignment: Foundations of Educator Flourishing

Mindful Alignment: Foundations of Educator Flourishing develops a foundation for educators to flourish by promoting self-awareness as a mindful approach to ongoing professional inquiry.

The Bliss and Blisters of Early Career Teaching: A Pan-Canadian Perspective

Anchored within the pan-Canadian research exploration of teacher induction and mentorship programs, this hopeful and resource-filled book provides a unique collection of perspectives on the bliss and blisters of early career teaching.

Governance and Administration in Canada: Collection of Essays

This book consists of a collection of essays written by graduate students of public administration (MPA students) at the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy (JSGS).

A Preliminary Look at Flourishing Congregations in Canada: What Church Leaders Are Saying

This monograph presents the context for congregations in Canada, across Catholic, Mainline and Conservative Protestant sectors.

Sun West Empowering 21st Century Learners

This book tells the story of Sun West School Division's serious investment and initiatives to develop distance learning for 21st Century learners.

Rosthern High School: A Partnership for Success

Rosthern High School is in the Prairie Spirit School Division in Saskatchewan. It is a vibrant and enthusiastic school with much energy and a strong sense of momentum. This book depicts life in the school and its positive sense of living and learning.

Langham Elementary School: Growing, Learning, Sharing, Caring

This book reflects the efforts and insights of a vibrant learning community. What happens when you take the time to ask the adults what they are learning and what is working for them and do the same for the children in a school. 

Flourishing Together at Waldheim School

Waldheim School in the Prairie Spirit School Division is an energetic, positive and life-giving learning community. As the students and staff have reflected on their journeys, their sweet spots and their memories about how the school has made and is making a difference in their lives and learning - we see that this is a flourishing school.

Daily Prayer Platform: Volume One (Large Print 2nd Edition)

The purpose of this invitational book is to provide a platform of encouragement to those thirst for the presence of God in their lives. It is hoped that each person who picks this book up and uses it, will continue to flourish in their transforming friendship with Jesus Christ through prayer.

A Guide to Ontario School Law

A Guide to Ontario School Law is a comprehensive, non-partisan, fair-reading of provincial educational statutes, regulations, and relevant policies that will be a first-aid and reference to the lay reader.

Daily Prayer Platform: Volume Two (Large Print Edition)

This book provides readers with an assortment of Christian prayers in a number of different formats.

The Servant: Leadership Role of Catholic High School Principals

Servant-leadership for Catholic school principals is considered one of the most meaningful and effectual callings imaginable. Informed by conversations with six exemplary servant leaders, this book explores the servant-leadership vocation of Catholic school principals.

Working Through Ethics in Education and Leadership: Theory, Analysis, Plays, Cases, Poems, Prose, and Speeches

This book, although targeting educational leaders, - teachers, school-based administrators, superintendents, board members, policy makers and education students, is also addressed to those interested in the topic of ethics and those who seek the development of an ethical awareness and an appropriate intellectual processes when facing ethical issues.

Adapting Mentorship Across the Professions: Fresh Insights and Perspectives

Mentoring a greenhorn in any profession can be challenging, delicate, and enormously rewarding—as well as vital to the health of your workplace. The Adaptive Mentorship (AM) model is an effective approach, and this book explores how it can improve mentorship results. 

The Practicum in Professional Education: Canadian Perspectives

This book was written to inform, encourage, and influence educational leaders in higher education who are interested in the practicum/clinical phase of education across the professional disciplines to engage in increased dialog and collaboration regarding the enhancement of this experiential-learning component of pre-service preparation.

Dancing on the Narrow Ridge: Superintendents' Ethical Decision Making

This monograph concerns ethical decision making in the public service, with particular attention to examples from educational administration and leadership.

Valuing Literacy: Rhetoric or Reality?

This book bridges the gap between academic literature and public policy by taking a 'broad brush' approach to adult literacy and learning in Canada.

School District 83: Stories Of Flourishing

Daily Prayer For South Pacific Leaders

Guide to Kerr & King’s Rules of Order for University Practice: University of Saskatchewan Edition