Crazy Like a Fox: One Principals Triumph in the Inner City
by By Chavis, Ben and Blakely, Carey
Category: Social Science , Sociology , Urban

The inspiring true story of one man's determination to make a difference- and the school he changed forever.  "If you act like a winner, you'll be treated like a winner. If you act like a fool, you'll be treated like a fool."  This is the golden rule set forth by Dr. Ben Chavis, the highly unorthodox principal of Oakland, California's American Indian Public Charter School, which was hailed as an "education miracle" by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger after it was transformed from a failing "nuisance" into one of the best public middle schools in the nation.  This is the story of how one man, in daring to be different, effected such stunning change. With his rigorous, no-nonsense approach, Dr. Ben Chavis debunks the myth that poor, minority, inner-city schools have little chance at academic excellence. Focusing on back-to-basics ideals, he has created a structured educational model that, combined with the enthusiasm of his students and teachers, delivers astounding results.  Now, Dr. Chavis recounts how he did it-in his own words and through the stories of the extraordinary young people he's helped.