English Leadership Quarterly - Volume 36, Issue 4, 2014

This issue of ELQ, the last with editor Susan Groenke at the helm, is called “Transitions,” and its meaning varies from contributor to contributor. Susan reflects on the last seven years of issues and some of the changes she has witnessed. She also introduces incoming editor Oona Abrams, who introduces herself through professional and personal anecdotes. She pledges to readers that she will continue ELQ’s long history of examining current leadership practice and policy. Rebecca Sipe takes a look at how standards are constantly transitioning, making it hard for teachers to adjust and feel confident in their planning and teaching. Sipe believes that now more than ever, leadership matters. Mentoring is uppermost in the mind of Anna J. Small Roseboro. New teachers can gain incalculable perspective from more experienced teachers, and throughout their careers, they can benefit from the mentoring of peers and veterans until they find themselves mentoring others. Again, the value of leadership. Elizabeth French Truesdell also ponders the value of leadership in the schools where she has taught. She says, “My observation of effective leaders is that they are able to balance confidence and humility in an appealing and inspirational way.” Her perspective gives us something to admire and strive for in our colleagues and ourselves. Wanda Porter reviews the highlights of the 2013 CEL convention and Heather Rocco reviews Falling in Love with Close Reading by Chris Lehman and Kate Roberts. All of these contributors make a point to credit CEL with support, resources, and inspiration in their teaching careers