Dr Robert Garmston, a high school dropout, whose childhood is characterized by rejection, abandonment, and abuse sees himself as having a core of badness and as someone who is unlovable. In his childhood, he spends more time in group homes than with his adopted family, the same family that tries to reverse his adoption. The adrenalin of risk, adventure, and fear drive him. He finds little to trust in others and lives each day from a state of wariness. Life is unpredictable for him; he has to take care of himself because those who are supposed to protect him are unreliable. In spite of his youthful experiences, he earns advanced degrees and creates a human development program used throughout the world. As an influential educator, he mesmerizes audiences with his intellect. This book details the challenges of his childhood and his journey out of the despair of his drinking years into a university professor and esteemed innovator of educational programs. This is a must read for anyone working with youth. The story of resilience inspires hope in each of us.
About the Author: Robert J. Garmston, Ed.D ROBERT J. GARMSTON is an Emeritus Professor of Educational Administration at California State University, Sacramento and Co-Developer of Cognitive Coaching www.cognitivecoaching.com with Dr. Art Costa. Formerly a classroom teacher, principal, director of instruction and acting superintendent, he works as an educational consultant and is director of Facilitation Associates, a consulting firm specializing in leadership, learning, personal and organizational development. He is co-developer and founder of the Center for Adaptive Schools www.adaptiveschools.com with Bruce Wellman. The Center for Adaptive Schools develops organizational capacity for self-directed, sustainable improvement in student learning. He has made presentations and conducted workshops for teachers, administrators and staff developers throughout the United States as well as in Canada, Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and the Middle East. Bob has written and co-authored a number of books including Cognitive Coaching: A Foundation for Renaissance Schools, How to Make Presentations That Teach and Transform, and A Presenter's Fieldbook: A Practical Guide. In 1999, the National Staff Development Council (NSDC) selected, The Adaptive School: A Sourcebook for Developing Collaborative Groups, as book of the year. In that same year Bob was recognized by NSDC for his contributions to staff development. A second edition of the Presenter's Fieldbook and Adaptive Schools were published in 2002 and 2004. For several years he wrote a column on facilitating groups for the National Staff Development Council. His books have been translated into Arabic, Hebrew and Italian. In addition to educational clients, he has worked with diverse groups including police officers, probation officers, Court and Justice systems, Utilities Districts, The United States Air Force and the World Health Organization. Bob lives with his wife, Sue, near Sacramento, California and has five children and five grandchildren, each of whom, of course, is bright and cute.