Endorsements
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“What a palette: Carlos Castaneda, peyote button milkshakes, Gulfport hurricanes, Tae Kwon Do, Yogi Berra malapropisms—and I could almost hear the sound of a ‘soft fish sneeze.’ I never would have guessed that a book on charter schools could be so mesmerizing. But it was.” -- Gail Cato, BookSurge Editor
“There are way too many traditional academic works out there. This is a breath of fresh air and inspiration! It's a gutsy, compelling read.” --Jane Flaherty, Consultant, Peter Barron Stark and Associates
“He is one really tremendous writer- I am an avid reader and I love it when a book grabs me and won't let go—like Kevin's has. He personifies the gift that the Irish have with words. “ --Barbara Stompoly, San Diego Business Owner
“I don't think this book could have come into my hands at a better time. It has become my therapy. I am enjoying getting to learn more about El Milagro and myself at the same time. Thank you, Dr. Riley!” --Carolyn Ortiz, Classroom Teacher
"I was able to keep up with Mueller's progress through Kari Lohse. Kari shares her experiences at Mueller during our professional reflections in our Master's classes at USD. It was during one of these discussions, when she showed me her copy of El Milagro. I immediately went home and ordered it for three day deliver on Amazon. Once I began to read, I couldn’t put it down. I allowed my colleague, Christine Kane, to borrow it, and she read it in a weekend. We felt a professional revitalization. Christine ordered ten more copies and passed them out to those teachers who possess the “Seven Gifts of El Milagro”. Today, the books have been read and a meeting has been set for the group that has become “El Milagro”. Our goal is to create our own charter school that functions as “El Milagro”. --Valentyna Banner, Charter School Teacher and Entrepreneur
"Katie gifted me a copy of your book and I finished reading it last week. Congratulations on an honest, passionate, and intelligent description of both your story and Mueller's story. I too am an educator (middle school math) and it has inspired me as I begin my 35+ year." --Chris Stout, Classroom Teacher
"I wanted to let you know that I read your book this summer and was blown away by it!!!!! You are a gifted writer and your message to all teachers is so powerful. What a story, what a journey you are taking! It should be required reading for all teachers, especially for those just getting into education. Your wit, sarcasm, intellect, and passion blend together to create an amazing story." --Jackie Lawson, "Global Education" Classroom Teacher
"I just finished reading it cover to cover a few days ago. Honestly, it was one of the best reflections I have ever read regarding a true school transformation. I don't know if I could have read it at a better time in my life, since I just recently completed my Ed. Leadership program. It really was a raw, vivid, and an honest portrayal of what American low-income schools/communities look and feel like. It also showed what it takes to make these schools/communities come back to life. I am so grateful this book has been written because it ties in so many leadership styles, themes, and issues that really exist for so many school leaders. I have read about all of these concepts in my graduate program and have written extensive papers about these themes, however, reading your book carved a permanent sketch in my mind of how all these themes work dynamically together. On a personal level, it was also quite meaningful to have learned more about your journey these last 30 years and where it has taken you. This is truly why Mueller is such an innovative place- you have made a great difference in everyone's life. I have sent out an email to my former classmates in my Ed. Leadership program in Chicago with the link to this book, because it highly detailed and well organized- in the sense that it clearly connects theory into practice. Fantastic writing... You have told a beautiful story, and I know it hasn't ended yet... but it will have each reader rooting for Mueller until the end!" --Linda Reynoso, Classroom Teacher and Graduate Student, University of Chicago
"I've been reading your stories and have to say they bring much inspiration not only to the field of education but to living life to the fullest as well. It's refreshing to have met someone with so much passion and willing to ask the tough questions." --Vilma V. McGarry, School Psychologist "To say that your book, "The Light of El Milagro" changed my life as an educator would be an understatement. At the current time, I am a neophyte principal, running a Charter school that, though smaller, bares a striking resemblance to Mueller. Your book, and my accidental discovery of it (which is an amazing story in itself), has literally saved me years of trying to find the right aim and focus for our educational program--and I wanted to thank you for that. I discovered your book while I was at the 16th Annual California Charter Schools Association Convention in Long Beach--a conference that I was not going to attend because of the current financial problems we are having in our district. I decided, however, that I needed to go--I was hoping that there was a light in all this darkness and that I could get re-inspired somehow to continue with full force the fight for kids (I had just found out that 90% of my staff got pink-slipped because they are tied to the union--and this is a really close-knit staff). I know it sounds strange, and it is not that the conference was not good (in fact, it was), but I feel that my entire week (and possibly career) was put into perfect perspective because of your book. When I was a few pages into reading the book it was like I was reading my own writing (only a more mature me, and one who had already walked down the path I was just beginning to walk)." --Bradley Smith, Charter Principal |
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| Last Updated ( Sunday, 29 March 2009 21:53 ) |