Leaders of American schools are approaching a crossroads. They can continue to struggle with outdated assumptions and increasingly demoralizing workplaces, or they can step back and reexamine what students must take away from schools to fulfill their potential in life--and what teachers need to help them get it. This book makes the case that it is time for students, teachers, and schools to reorient the learning process around better understanding--and use--of the strengths of individuals. Following an introduction, this book is divided into three parts. Part I, The Predicament of Public Schools, introduces the first two chapters: (1) Old Assumptions, New Perspectives; and (2) The Reform Standoff. Part II, Mapping Common Ground, presents the next two chapters: (3) A Common Hurdle: The Weakness Trap; and (4) A Common Goal: Engagement in the Classroom. Part III, The Power of Engagement, continues on with: (5) Engaged Students: In Pursuit of Strengths; (6) Engaged Teachers, Part 1: Heroes of the Classroom; (7) Engaged Teachers, Part 2: What Do They Do Differently?; (8) Engaged Principals: Helping the Heroes; (9) Engaged Schools: Setting the Stage for Greatness; and (10) Engaged Communities: Rallying around the Schools. These chapters are followed by: Conclusion; Learn More; Acknowledgements; and Notes. ["Building Engaged Schools" was written with Steve Crabtree.]