`As educators struggle with the demands of No Child Left Behind, David Sousa offers practical ideas for linking the research being done by neuroscientists to the real world of learning in the classroom' - The School Administrator
`The Leadership Brain is an incredible resource. David Sousa has taken brain research and made it meaningful to principals by showing them how a basic understanding of this field can make a difference at school' - Principal Magazin
David A Sousa is an international educational consultant. He has conducted workshops in hundreds of school districts on brain research, brain based learning, instructional skills, supervision, and science education at the primary, secondary, and university levels. He has made presentations at national conventions of educational organizations and has served as a consultant to regional and local school districts across the United States, Canada, and Europe.
This book is written to provide educational leaders insights into how research in cognitive neuroscience and other related areas can inform their practice. This book will explore the attributes of a successful leader, the basic facts that educational leaders should know about parts of the brain and their functions, how a leader encourage and develop creativity in a school, and many more such facets pertaining brain-compatible leadership. The book further explains the meaning of leadership, and the reasoning that if leadership is the key to true educational reform, then thoughtful leadership is the key to thoughtful reform. Science can provide leaders with a deeper understanding of their own thinking processes so that their decisions are mindful and ethical, and that is what this book will aim to illustrate.
Author Biography:
DR. David A. Sousa is an international consultant in educational neuroscience and author of more than twenty books that suggest ways educators and parents can translate current brain research into strategies for improving learning. A member of the Cognitive Neuroscience Society, he has conducted workshops in hundreds of school districts on brain research, instructional skills, and science education at the preK–12 and university levels. He has made presentations to more than two hundred thousand educators at national conventions of educational organizations and to regional and local school districts across the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Asia.
Dr. Sousa has a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts, a master of arts in teaching degree in science from Harvard University, and a doctorate from Rutgers University. His teaching experience covers all levels. He has taught senior high school science and served as a K–12 director of science, supervisor of instruction, and district superintendent in New Jersey schools. He was an adjunct professor of education at Seton Hall University for ten years and a visiting lecturer at Rutgers University.
Prior to his career in New Jersey, Dr. Sousa taught at the American School of Paris (France) and served for five years as a foreign service officer and science advisor at the US diplomatic missions in Geneva (Switzerland) and Vienna (Austria).
Dr. Sousa has edited science books and published dozens of articles in leading journals on professional development, science education, and educational research. His most popular books for educators include How the Brain Learns, now in its sixth edition; How the Special Needs Brain Learns, second edition; How the Gifted Brain Learns; How the Brain Learns to Read, second edition; How the Brain Influences Behavior; How the ELL Brain Learns; Differentiation and the Brain, second edition (with Carol Tomlinson); and How the Brain Learns Mathematics, second edition, which was selected by the Independent Book Publishers Association as one of the best professional development books. The Leadership Brain suggests ways for educators to lead today’s schools more effectively. Dr. Sousa’s books have been published in French, Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, Korean, Russian, and several other languages. His book Brainwork: The Neuroscience Behind How We Lead Others is written for business and organizational leaders.
Dr. Sousa is past president of the National Staff Development Council (now called Learning Forward). He has received numerous awards from professional associations, school districts, and educational foundations for his commitment to research, staff development, and science education. He received the Distinguished Alumni Award and an honorary doctorate from Bridgewater State University and an honorary doctorate in humane letters from Gratz College in Philadelphia.
Dr. Sousa has been interviewed on the NBC Today show, by other television programs, and by National Public Radio about his work with schools using brain research. He makes his home in south Florida.
