WHY DR. SPURKA WROTE THE BOOKS
The Story Behind The Books
I wrote these books because I have lived on both sides of education. As a principal, I witnessed countless teachers struggling to maintain their passion while drowning in paperwork and pressure. I watched dedicated educators question whether they could make it another year. At the same time, I sat across from parents at my desk, seeing the worry in their eyes as they asked how to help their teenager who had lost all motivation for school.
These weren't just occasional conversations—they were challenges I faced daily. I saw that teachers needed real solutions to rediscover their joy in teaching, not just inspirational quotes. Parents needed practical strategies to connect with their teens and guide them through high school, not just general advice about “being involved.”
After thirty years in education, from counseling adjudicated youth to serving as a Head of School, I gathered proven strategies. These were not theories from a textbook but real-world solutions I'd seen transform struggling teachers into thriving educators and worried parents into confident guides for their teens.
These books are my way of sharing what works—my strategies for creating school environments where teachers feel valued, and students excel. They're the honest conversations I wish every teacher and parent could have with a principal who's been there and found solutions that stick.
At the end of the day, nothing matters more than helping teachers rediscover their passion and empowering parents to guide their teens toward success. These books are my way of reaching beyond school walls to help create more joyful, practical educational experiences for everyone involved.
The 15 "Principals" of Parenting
A Parents' Guide to Teaming up with Your Child for Success in High School and Beyond!
"My child just turned 15 and has lost all motivation for school. Rewards and punishments only work for a few days. He has so much potential, but I don't know how to help him. Please help!"
"My daughter is overwhelmed by the college application process. She hasn't even taken the SAT yet, and I'm afraid she'll be left behind while her friends move forward. Send help!"
If these concerns sound familiar, you're not alone. High school is a critical time for both teens and parents, filled with academic pressures, emotional ups and downs, and the challenge of preparing for the future. The 15 "Principals" of Parenting provides practical, expert-backed strategies to help parents confidently navigate these years—without damaging their relationship with their child.
This book offers real-world solutions to common parenting challenges. It explores building and maintaining a positive parent-teen relationship, helping your child set academic and personal goals, and supporting their mental health, emotional resilience, and independence. Parents will also learn how to navigate high school course selection, college preparation, and career planning while improving communication with both their teens and their teens' teachers.
You seek expert advice for your finances, health, and career—shouldn't you do the same for parenting? Whether your teen is struggling with motivation, stress, or simply finding their path, this book will give you the tools to help them succeed in high school and beyond while strengthening your bond. Parenting doesn't come with a handbook, but this is the next best thing.
Purchase and read now
Ready to transform your relationship with your teen while guiding them toward success? Purchase your copy today and gain access to all 15 practical strategies that have helped thousands of parents navigate the high school years with confidence.
The book is available through Amazon and other fine retailers and bookstores worldwide. Retailers may purchase it through Ingram.
LOOK INSIDE Chapter 1
Take the first step toward transforming your relationship with your teen. This sample chapter provides immediate, practical strategies you can implement today to better support your child through the high school years. Complete the form below to receive your chapter.
SUPPORTING MATERIALS
Extend your parenting journey with supplementary resources designed to help you implement the book's strategies in your daily family life—click here to access our growing collection of tools for parents.
The Joyful Educator
Cultivating an Inspiring Teaching Experience and a Fulfilling Life Outside the Classroom
Teaching is more than just a profession—it's a calling. But in today's fast-paced and demanding educational landscape, many teachers are overwhelmed, exhausted, and questioning whether they can sustain their passion for another year. With rising workloads, shifting expectations, and increasing burnout rates, educators worldwide struggle to maintain the balance between their careers and personal lives. Meanwhile, schools everywhere face a growing shortage of qualified teachers, making supporting and retaining passionate educators more critical than ever.
The Joyful Educator is more than just a reflection on these challenges—it's a lifeline. Through eight actionable steps, educators will gain practical strategies to not only navigate stress, overwhelm, and uncertainty but also cultivate resilience, confidence, and joy inside and outside the classroom. Whether you're battling endless paperwork, facing mounting pressure from parents and administrators, or feeling drained by the emotional weight of your work, this book provides the tools you need to shift from merely surviving to truly thriving.
Drawing from over 30 years of experience as a teacher, counselor, and principal, I offer proven methods to help teachers reclaim their passion and well-being. My award-winning leadership and recognition as a champion for educators highlight my ability to create supportive, thriving school communities. Now, I share the mindset shifts and techniques that have empowered countless teachers to overcome obstacles and rediscover their love for teaching.
Through real-life testimonials, research-backed strategies, and hands-on exercises, you will learn how to reframe obstacles as opportunities and build a renewed sense of purpose, fulfillment, and confidence to shape not only your career but also your personal life in meaningful ways. More than just inspiration, The Joyful Educator is a toolkit you can return to whenever you need motivation, balance, or a reminder of why you chose this path.
Don't underestimate your authority in the education arena. The future of education depends on teachers like you. Take the first step toward a more balanced, joyful teaching career today.
PUBLISHING JUNE 5, 2025
Take the first step toward a more balanced, fulfilling teaching career—purchase your copy today and discover the eight actionable steps that have helped countless educators rediscover their passion while creating sustainable approaches to the challenges of modern education.
The book is available through Amazon and other fine retailers and bookstores worldwide. Retailers may purchase it through Ingram.
LOOK INSIDE Chapter 1
Rediscover the passion that brought you to teaching. This sample chapter offers immediate, implementable strategies to help you navigate the challenges of today's educational landscape while protecting your well-being. COMING SOON!
SUPPORTING MATERIALS
Support your professional growth with complementary materials designed to help educators put these principles into practice—click here to explore resources that build on the book's foundation.
Your Voice Makes a Difference
If you've found value in Dr. Spurka's practical strategies, please consider sharing your experience through a review. Your feedback helps other educators and parents discover solutions that work in real classrooms and homes. A few moments of your time could make a significant difference for a struggling teacher or worried parent looking for guidance—extending the impact of these ideas to more schools and families.