Leading Resilient Schools

Lori J. Stollar is an experienced district leader, executive director, and nationally recognized consultant specializing in change management, strategic planning, and professional learning system design. She serves as Executive Director of PA EDGE (Pennsylvania Association for Elevating, Developing, and Growing Educators), where she leads statewide efforts to strengthen leadership practice and educator development. With a career spanning curriculum leadership, innovation, and higher education teaching, Dr. Stollar bridges research and practice to support continuous improvement. Her doctoral research on professional learning communities reflects her commitment to collaboration and resilience. She is the co-author of Leading Resilient Schools (Corwin, 2026) and a sought-after leadership coach who helps school and district leaders navigate complex change with clarity and purpose. Lori holds a bachelor's degree from Shippensburg University, a master's degree in Teaching and Curriculum from The Pennsylvania State University, and a doctoral degree in educational leadership from Widener University. Dr. Lindsay Prendergast brings two decades of experience in global education, where her roles have ranged from leadership coach to principal, consultant, and classroom teacher. As a senior leader with The Danielson Group and founder of EdHabits consulting (www.edhabits.com), she collaborates with districts, schools, and educators to promote equitable teaching and learning. She coauthored the bestselling Habits of Resilient Educators: Strategies for Thriving During Times of Anxiety, Doubt, and Constant Change (Prendergast & Lee, 2024) and Habits of Resilient Leaders: Personal Practices That Drive Professional Impact (Prendergast & Lee, 2025), and Habits for Resilient Learners: Empowering Students to Thrive Through Challenge and Change, as well as dozens of articles and manuscripts in the field of education. Lindsay's work centers on leading systems change and advancing instructional leadership with practical and impactful insights. Recognized as an ASCD Emerging Leader and Champion in Education as well as an AAIE Fellow, Lindsay is an established thought leader who frequently shares her expertise on leadership development, growth-centered supervision, and assessment practices through ASCD, Learning Forward, Edutopia, AAIE, EARCOS, AMLE, Cognia, and more. Driven by a commitment to impactful change and global competence, Lindsay's work empowers educators to navigate complex challenges, fostering environments where both teachers and students thrive. Lindsay holds a bachelor's degree from Wofford College, a master's degree in education leadership from Colorado Western State University, and a doctoral degree in education leadership from Wilkes University. Piper Lee brings over twenty-six years of experiential wisdom in education, including teaching, administration, instructional coaching, and leadership development. Her dedication to enhancing student learning and teacher effectiveness drives her national work as an instructional leadership coach. Piper has partnered with students, educators, leadership teams, and families across various contexts, including support for district leaders and principals in one of the largest school districts in the country. Post-pandemic, she coached more than eight superintendents and over forty-five principals alongside Lindsay Prendergast, dedicating extensive time to data analysis, facilitating professional learning communities, and classroom observations. These experiences shape her evidence-based approach and inform the purpose of this book. Piper champions the philosophy that "rigorous relationships" are foundational to transformative school cultures and effective leadership. Piper holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education, a master's in curriculum and instruction, and an education leadership certification from Winona State University. Grounded in practical strategies and informed by deep field experience, Piper equips education leaders to navigate complexity and foster environments where both students and educators thrive.

Foreword Acknowledgments About the Authors Introduction Chapter 1: Anchoring Resilience in a Clear Vision Chapter 2: Cultivating a Resilient School Culture Chapter 3: Building Resilient Teams Chapter 4: Strengthening Collective Efficacy Chapter 5: Deepening Resilience Through Evaluative Thinking Chapter 6: Fostering Coherence and Alignment Chapter 7: Leading Instruction in Resilient Schools Chapter 8: Nurturing Future-Ready Mindsets Chapter 9: Building an Agile School Community Chapter 10: Leading for Sustained Resilience Epilogue References

"What sets Leading Resilient Schools apart is the rare combination of deep experience and practical wisdom that Stollar, Prendergast, and Lee bring to every page. Their insights on communicating with clarity to drive coherence are refreshingly grounded rather than theoretical. They understand that coherence isn't built through structures alone; it thrives when leaders use intentional messaging and sensemaking routines to reinforce shared meaning. By recognizing that clarity is subjective and exists when educators at every level can articulate priorities with confidence, the authors offer leaders a transformative framework. Their collective wisdom cuts through the noise of educational fads, providing actionable strategies that truly work. This is the kind of book that can change how leaders think and lead." -- Dennis M. Williams, Jr. "Leading Resilient Schools offers a timely and powerful roadmap for education leaders navigating the complexities facing today's school systems. Stollar, Prendergast, and Lee skillfully translate research into practical leadership moves that strengthen vision, culture, and collective efficacy. This book is an invaluable resource for leaders committed to building resilient communities that adapt, persevere, and thrive through change." -- Bryan O'Black "Leading Resilient Schools provided essential guidance as I developed a clear school vision, strengthened a cohesive professional culture, and worked to reduce teacher turnover in Pennsylvania's most diverse school. The book's practical lessons supported our efforts to build resilience across our students, staff, and community while navigating today's complex political, social, and emotional challenges." -- Joseph Intrieri * Harrisburg, PA * "As a former student of Dr. Stollar and now a middle school principal, I've had the chance to see this work come full circle. Leading Resilient Schools puts into words the kind of leadership our schools need - grounded, thoughtful, and focused on people. It offers clear ideas and real examples that help leaders move their schools forward, even when things feel uncertain. Leading Resilient Schools gives leaders practical strategies we can actually use to build stronger school communities." -- Tuesday Hufnagel * Dover, PA * "This is a must-read book for school leaders- new or seasoned-who desire to improve their schools through resiliency. Drawing on research and authentic leadership experiences, the book delivers a powerful framework, with practical strategies, relatable scenarios, and reflective practices that foster resiliency. While reading, you will quickly recognize the authors' deep insights into this topic and experience many enlightening 'aha' moments." -- Vicki Denmark * Atlanta, GA *