Lifescaping Practices in School Communities

Lifescaping Practices in School Communities is a guide for school administrators and helping professionals (school counselors, school psychologists, school social workers, and other stakeholders) looking to promote relational wellness and student success in their school. This informative new resource will introduce readers to an ecological approach by using action research and appreciative inquiry to guide and engage school-wide change. Also offered are first-hand models of conceptual lifescaping projects using action research and appreciative inquiry by first-time practitioners from different school communities.

Rolla E. Lewis, EdD, NCC, is professor emeritus in Educational Psychology at California State University, East Bay (CSUEB). His current research and scholarly interests include public education advocacy, school counseling program development, mentoring participatory leaders, and sharing action research practices using the participatory inquiry process as lifescaping in schools. Dr. Lewis has published numerous chapters, articles, and poems in books, peer-reviewed journals, and other professional publications. He is the recipient of the Oregon Counseling Association's Leona Tyler Award for outstanding contributions to professional counseling. Peg Winkelman, PhD, is a Professor and Chair in the Department of Educational Leadership at California State University, East Bay (CSUEB). She has also taught in schools of education at the University of California, Berkeley, Mills College, and Saint Mary's College of California. She is past president of the California Association of Professors of Educational Administration. Her publications focus on her commitment to collaborative inquiry and scholar-practitioner leadership for social justice.

List of Illustrations List of Change Activities Notes on Contributors Foreword Kenneth J. Gergen Acknowledgements Introduction Part I: Action Research as a Participatory and an Appreciative Inquiry Process: Continuous Dialogue and Action in School Communities 1. Eco-Relational Lifescaping in Schools 2. Relational Ecosystems and Learning Power in Schools 3. Nurturing Growth Narratives in School Communities 4. The Participatory Inquiry Process (PIP) 5. Appreciative Inquiry (AI) and the 4-R Process Part II: Lifescaping as Future Forming: From an Appreciative Inquiry Approach to Enacting the Participatory Inquiry Process Introduction to Part II 6.Developing Relational Connections to Initiate Conversations and Identify Challenges 7. Using Relational Dialogues to Nurture Engaged Inquiry 8. Pursuing Relational, Collaborative Action 9. Practicing Relational, Community Assessment and Reflection Part III: Lifescaping in Action: Told in Participatory Inquiry Process (PIP) and AI 4-R Phases By Student Advocates in Schools Introduction to Part III 10. A Write Way Intervention: Successful Transitions into the Ninth Grade Molly Griffin 11. Advocating with Appreciative Inquiry (AI) Lisa Maibaum 12. High School to Community College Transition Group Katie Messina 13. Algebra as a Civil Right: Increasing Achievement Through Participatory Action Research and Appreciative Inquiry Lisa Davies 14. Conclusion: Bringing AI and PIP Together Websites Appendix A: Professional Competencies and Ethics Appendix B: An Ecological Model (School Counselors) Appendix C: Promoting Vital Engagement and Eco-Relational Change Appendix D: Data Templates Appendix E: Core Needs Assessments Appendix F: Generic Parent Permission FormAppendix G: Mapping the Driving and Restraining Forces (MDRF) Appendix H: Focus Group, Fishbowl Story Group, and Video Story Focus Group Guidelines: Roles, Skills, Participation, and Agreements Appendix I: PIP and AI Action Worksheet Appendix J: Outline for Writing Action Research Paper Using the Participatory Inquiry Process (PIP) Appendix K: Write Way Support Materials Appendix L: High School to Community College Biography Index