Flourishing Together: A Christian Vision for Students, Educators, and Schools

by Lynn E. Swaner, Andy Wolfe, Rose Hudson-Wilkin (Foreword)

How do students, educators, and schools flourish together—especially in an era of increasing pressure from standardized testing, growing challenges to student mental health and well-being, and frequent educator burnout? Many schools strive toward academic achievement as their primary marker of success, but this well-meaning approach can lead to a reductionist view in which students are too often seen as statistics rather than whole human beings. Teachers, school leaders, parents, and of course students know that flourishing is a much broader and more holistic aim for education. But what is to be done?  The goal of this book is to call Christian educators back to a better vision of flourishing within a robust theological framework, with the practical guidance necessary for implementation. To accomplish this, Lynn Swaner and Andy Wolfe take readers through an exploration of five essential domains identified through extensive empirical research—purpose, relationships, learning, resources, and well-being. An ideal resource for professional development and strategic planning,  Flourishing Together  persistently adheres to the principle that “anything that is worth building cannot be built alone.” Thus, the vision for flourishing here is one in which the school community is understood as an interconnected ecosystem, in which “each one’s flourishing is dependent on their flourishing together.” Accordingly, teachers and administrators will be inspired and equipped to reshape their schools as places where they—alongside their students—can flourish together in a community of abundant life.

Genres: Education, Leadership, School

310 pages, Paperback

Published November 16, 2021

Reviews

[Phillip Nash · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book. For years I have searched for a book that sums up exactly what a quality Christian school should be like. This books sets that out clearly, with evidence. Every Christian educator should read this book and school leaders should review their school in light of it. Swaner and Wolfe - American and Englishman, do an outstanding job of pulling together the research done on flourishing schools and knowledge gained from both North America and the UK.
It will certainly be a book I give to my school leaders and read with them as we seek to ensure we are a school that helps students to flourish.

[DT · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the scriptural insights in this book. I never made those connections between Jesus’ parables and teaching. I didn’t expect the book to have these powerful illustrations.

I expected more practical solutions and suggestions. I didn’t find the reflections and leadership activities to be that interesting or insightful.

[Claire Bills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply superb and absolutely essential reading for all church school leaders. Andy and Lynn get to the heart of what allows schools to flourish- staff, pupils and community. Can not recommend highly enough

[Sally Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book for anyone connected with schools but with great Bible based inspiration for leaders in any church context.