Two School Reform Leaders Walk Into a Bookstore… And Write the Book They Wish They Had

MANHATTAN, N.Y. - Rezul -- What does it actually take to lead a school where every student succeeds? Not buzzwords. Not another professional development binder. According to veteran educators Michael Sonbert and M. Antonio Vance, it takes a willingness to ruffle feathers, say the hard things, and hold every adult in the building accountable. Their new book, Unshakable Leadership: 21 Strategies for Success in Urban Schools and Beyond, published by ISTE+ASCD and set to be released June 25, 2026, is the no-nonsense playbook K–12 leaders have been waiting for.

Forged in the fires of challenging urban school environments, the book cuts through education's chronic love affair with jargon to deliver something refreshingly practical: strategies you can implement on Monday morning. Sonbert and Vance organize their 21 strategies around the pillars that make or break schools — crucial operational processes, the leadership team dynamic, instructional quality and coaching, and the all-important school culture. For each strategy, they lay out why it matters, how to roll it out, what pitfalls to avoid, and how to make it stick.

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Co-author Dr. M. Antonio Vance, Chief Schools Officer at Skyrocket Education and a scholar-practitioner with deep organizational leadership experience, adds that the book was designed equally for those leading in high-need urban districts and those simply committed to excellence wherever they work.

Published by ISTE+ASCD — a trusted name in education literature — Unshakable Leadership also includes an online study guide, making it equally powerful for individual reading or collaborative professional development. Whether you're a veteran principal, an aspiring instructional leader, or a district administrator trying to light a fire under your schools, this book delivers the straight talk and actionable tools to make it happen.

Title: Unshakable Leadership: 21 Strategies for Success in Urban Schools and Beyond
Authors: Michael Sonbert & Dr. M. Antonio Vance
Publisher: ISTE+ASCD
ISBN: 978-1-4166-3450-8
Pre-Order Now: Here and at major booksellers (https://ascd.org/books/unshakable-leadership?variant=125067)

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Michael Sonbert is a bestselling author, speaker, and educator. As founder and CEO of Skyrocket Education and Rebel Culture, he has dedicated his career to transforming school cultures and empowering leaders to drive meaningful student outcomes.

Dr. M. Antonio Vance is an educator, organizational leader, and scholar serving as Chief Schools Officer at Skyrocket Education. His work bridges rigorous scholarship and on-the-ground school leadership practice.

Both authors are available for interviews and appearances. Press kits and editorial review copies of Unshakable Leadership are available upon request.