John H. Zurn
Educational Author - School Consultant
John H. Zurn began his educational career as a teacher in the 1980’s. After ten years in the classroom, he was offered a position as Head of School at St. John’s Episcopal School in Olney, MD.
For the next twenty-eight years, Mr. Zurn served as Head of School at three independent day schools in different parts of the country.
In retirement, Mr. Zurn has put the lessons he learned about education, about schooling, and about democracy into his book.
Discover The Traits for Success Read Aloud Series
Available after May 15!
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Traits For Success Book One: Organization
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Traits For Success Book Two: Focus
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Traits For Success Book Three: Courage
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Traits For Success Book Four: Generosity
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Traits For Success Book Five: Grit
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Traits For Success Book Six: Positive Mindset
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Traits For Success Book Seven: Resilience
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Traits For Success Book Eight: Independence
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Traits For Success Book Nine: Collaboration
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Traits For Success Book Ten: Responsibility
Traits for Success
The Case for Character Education in American Schools
can I learn from ccvThe author, a forty year educator, makes the case for emphasizing character education over more traditional measures of academic success in schools. He then presents a yearlong program, Traits for Success, that gives school parameters for establishing strong character education principles.
Traits for Success
Organization: I plan ahead. I have places for everything. I am ready to learn.
Focus: I choose to focus on important things.
Courage: I am willing to stand up for what is right. I challenge myself.
Generosity: I give of myself to others. I act with empathy.
Grit: I keep trying in the face of adversity.
Positive Mindset: I can do it!
Resilience: I learn from failure. I try new ideas and different methods.
Independence: I can work confidently to solve problems on my own.
Collaboration: I can work confidently and cooperatively with others.
Responsibility: I take charge of my learning. I am a kind, honest, compassionate, and respectful person.
Excerpts from the book, Traits for Success….
Nine Lessons I Learned From Forty Years in Schools
(Excerpt from Chapter One of the book, Traits for Success) 1. All students are bright and capable. Even the most intellectually challenged students had gifts to bring to the table. Though there are clearly students with greater intellect, success in the classroom...
What Went Wrong With American Schooling
(Excerpt from Chapter Two of the book, Traits for Success) Thomas Jefferson is often quoted as a Founding Father of American Education. [i] At the birth of our nation, Jefferson wrote extensively about the purpose of schools in an American democracy to educate its...
The Challenges Our Children Face Today
(Excerpt from Chapter Five, Traits for Success) It is time for parents and educators to take back control! We must keep the finance-driven technology gurus and the politically driven corporate masters from gaining an outsized influence over our children. We need to...
My Blogs….
How Homeschool Families Might Implement a Trait for Success: Focus
Children are self-motivated learners as seen in their relentless determination to walk and then to talk. But not all children thrive within the competitive pressures of an academic school program. Homeschooling can be a significant way to allow children a...
How Homeschool Families Might Implement a Trait for Success- Organization
The start of the school year is the best time to go over organizational routines. Children need to understand that organization never guarantees success, but it is the first place to look when a child or adult struggles. Many problems can be resolved simply...
Homeschooling: On Teaching Your Child to be Successful
The federal government conducts National Household Education Surveys every three to four years that focus on a variety of subjects, including homeschooling. In the 2023 survey, the top three reasons parents chose to homeschool their children were: A concern for the...