This is the updated edition of the bestselling seminal book on school leadership, equity, and social justice. Drawing on the experiences and words of successful public school principals, Theoharis shows why social justice leadership is needed and how it can be effective in creating more equitable schools. Although they faced tremendous barriers, the principals featured in this book made important strides toward closing the outcome and opportunity gaps in their schools by using inclusive, equitable practices. Featuring a mix of theory and practical strategies, this edition has been updated with new examples and frameworks relevant to today’s leaders. Responding to the current context of national resistance to issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion, this timely book portrays how real school leaders seek, create, and sustain equitable schools, especially for marginalized students.


The School Leaders Our Children Deserve identifies seven keys that are crucial for social justice leadership:


Key 1: Acquire Broad, Reconceptualized Consciousness/Knowledge/Skill Base


Key 2: Possess Core Leadership Traits


Key 3: Advance Inclusion, Access, and Opportunity for All


Key 4: Improve the Core Learning Context—Both the Teaching and the Curriculum


Key 5: Create a Climate of Belonging


Key 6: Increase Student Learning


Key 7: Sustain Oneself Professionally and Personally


Book Features:




Grounds the lofty ideals of equity and social justice in the daily work of school leadership.
Provides rich and abundant examples, ideas, and strategies for how to be a school leader committed to issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
Includes a new focus on culturally sustaining leadership and how disability studies inform practice.
Offers an examination of how leaders conduct equity audits to improve outcomes for minoritized students.
Shows how leaders navigate challenges to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in their communities.

Foreword by: Lynda Tredway