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I have been talking about the personal intelligences since the 1980s and writing about success for more than a decade, but bringing it all together in a book was a new and difficult experience. I could not have done it without the help of many friends and colleagues. Naming the people who helped me on this book—those who offered specific information and suggestions and those who provided the context for it to be written—is both fun and a bit daunting. I love the thought of publicly thanking and recognizing these people; that's fun! But listing their names is also daunting because I worry that someone will be omitted. As has been the case throughout my career, I am indebted to so many people for whatever successes I have achieved.
First, a big hug of appreciation goes to the faculty of the New City School and everyone in our school community. For 34 years I was fortunate to work—to live—in a setting in which student growth was the focus and children were viewed through all of their intelligences. I was surrounded by and learned from remarkably talented teachers and administrators. Within that group, special gratitude goes to Joe Corbett, Carla Duncan, Laurie Falk, Ben Griffiths, Eileen Griffiths, Nina Nichols, Stephanie Teachout, and Chris Wallach for their input on this book. Thanks, too, to the New City School Board of Trustees for recognizing that there are differences between success in life and success in school, and for supporting my growth. Not a day passed that I didn't think I wish that I had attended New City School.
Historically (and I am old enough to begin a paragraph like that), thanks go to the teachers and professors who pushed and supported me when I was officially a student. That begins with my 1st grade teacher at Monroe School, Mrs. Helen Mayfield, and also includes professors Barry Anderson, Dave Colton, Charles Fazzaro, and, especially, Roger Perry. Howard Gardner deserves special thanks for his ongoing support, confidence, and friendship. Thanks also to the students in my spring 2016 Ed. Admin. 6705 class at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. I learned from them.
Many, many people took the time to offer suggestions, share ideas, or critique my thinking. This book is better because of them and any errors are owned by me. Thank you, Carly Andrews, Nick Apperson, Kristi Arbetter, Bonnie Barczykowski, Carole Basile, Michelle Benginga, Jeffrey Benson, Marvin Berkowitz, Robert Brisk, Lisa Brougham, Jennifer Bryan, Pat Brubaker, Mark Catalana, Naoimh Campbell, Sheryl Chard, Rob Ciampoli, Tom Cody, Alan Cooper, Clark Daggett, Claudia Daggett, Tom Davey, Matthew Davis, John Delautre, Chris Dornfeld, Kevin Dwyer, Diane Dymond, Vince Estrada, Paul Fanuele, Ginny Fendell, Patrick Fisher, Mike Fleetham, Sharon Friesen, Laura Fuller, Andrew Gallager, Matthew Gould, Karen Guskin, Billy Handmaker, Maureen Hanlon, Sharonica Hardin, Gastrid Harrigan, Mark Harrington, Terry Harris, Chris Hass, Joanna Hastings, Jason Heiserer, Craig Hinkle, Deb Holmes, Dawn Isaacs, Jarin Jaffee, Charles James, Misty Johnson, Gina Kietzmann, Brian King, DuWayne Krause, Stephanie Krauss, Jeff Lowell, Kim Marshall, Peter Martin, Ellen Matthews, Rick Mesich, Kathy Mueller, Mark Norwood, George Peternel, Melanie Pruitt, Cheryl Roberts, Gema Zamarro Rodriguez, Jenny Rowe, John Sandberg, Caryn Sawlis, Jessie Schoolman, Dan Schwartz, Nell Sears, Keith Shahan, Carrie Steinbach, Barbara Thomson, Elizabeth Towner, Alden Weaver, Amy Yount, and Larry Zarin.
In an effort to obtain some balance in my life, I want to give a shout-out to my semi-monthly book group and my Saturday morning basketball buddies. I should also note that I appreciate their reluctance to call my fouls.
Applause also goes to the ASCD staff who took this dream to reality, beginning with Genny Ostertag, director of Content Acquisitions. She offered enthusiasm, wisdom, and great ideas. This book would not have happened without the support of Liz Wegner and fine editing skills of Ernesto Yermoli. Thanks to Educational Leadership editor-in-chief Marge Scherer for her confidence throughout the years with "The Principal Connection" column. Writing the column has been very helpful to me, because as Peter Elbow said, "Writing is a way to end up thinking something you couldn't have started out thinking."
A sense of deep gratitude goes to my aunt and uncle, Mary Lou Keller and Jim Wurm, for their ongoing care and to my mom and dad for their love and genes. And this book could not have been written without the support of my wife, Karleen, and companionship of our dog, Onyx (who really doesn't think he's a dog).
Finally, thanks to all of the hardworking and caring educators who seek to change their students' lives. I hope that this book can be a useful tool.