Kate Barker

""Do you hear poetry in the murmur of waves on the shore; read poetry in the dip of wings on ocean breeze; write poetry with footprints pressed into pristine sand? Environmental poetry meets the human experience in a series of musings from a mermaid who regularly sheds her fins to walk on shore.""

The best view comes after the hardest climb.While the principal's office may sometimes feel like the loneliest place in the building, it doesn't have to be. In Principaled, veteran principals Kate Barker, Kourtney Ferrua, and Rachael George draw back the curtain on their years of experience, revealing the strategies, mind-sets, and practices that have helped them flourish in their roles. With humor, humility, and candor, the authors detail the key ingredients to finding balance as a school leader: taking time to reflect and learn, seeking out mentors, crafting simple and clear goals, and not neglecting self-care. The authors present a step-by-step approach to facing the challenges of school change and demonstrate that achievement and improving culture are not mutually exclusive goals. Strengthened by their hard-earned wisdom, the dynamic trio behind Principaled will elevate school leaders and help them find their footing along the route to career contentment."Being a principal is a rocky ride. Tomorrow always has surprises waiting, there are always too many priorities, and for most of us good is not good enough. This is a rare book, written from the front line. A must-have for future, new, and experienced school leaders." -John Hattie, PhD, director of the Melbourne Educational Research Institute "Barker, Ferrua, and George's Principaled should be required as the go-to playbook for every education leader seeking to lead effectively. The reader is left with the seeds of effective leadership and a developed purpose, and presented with a comprehensive game plan on how effective principals can be cultivated through strategic reflection." -Dr. A. Katrise Perera, 2015 NASS Superintendent of the Year "Barker, Ferrua, and George masterfully identify the areas where it matters the most: knowing yourself, knowing your people, and knowing your skill sets. The authors share personal stories and relevant examples with refreshing honesty and insight." -Jimmy Casas, leadership coach, educator, author, and speaker

Housing matters a great deal. The present housing market has worked well for many of us (who have enjoyed the steeply rising values of our homes) which is why change, especially new building, is resisted. But for increasing numbers it now works less well as home ownership is out of reach, and for many years it has been commonly felt that there is a 'housing crisis' in Britain. Reforms are urgently needed to avoid a growing human cost. With so many conflicting views in evidence and a balance to be struck between growth and conservation, what housing market outcomes might be regarded as a success for policymakers? This short book attempts to give at least some answers, concluding with a list of criteria by which success might be judged along with a list of policy recommendations. Along the way a number of 'myths' are identified - either ideas about the UK housing market or possible solutions to the housing issue - that the author argues are mistaken. She argues that we need to be realistic, and not simplistic, about what mix of outcomes can be achieved.There are many national policy aims, including decent homes for all, protection of the green belt, better design of buildings and places, the avoidance of house price volatility, and intergenerational fairness. At the local level, planning provokes conflict and strong feelings. We also have an existing housing stock that is arguably, at least in part, wrongly located, and some of the housing we do have is of poor quality. For anyone with an interest in housing, this is an authoritative, accessible and constructive contribution to a debate that is likely to rumble on until the cows come home.