I have been fortunate to work with and learn from many committed, fantastic educators in the Oakland public schools. The following teachers and administrators have profoundly influenced me: Larissa Adam, Miranda Bergman, Elia Bustamante, Shannon Carey, David Chambliss, Cassandra Chen, Matt Duffy, Michael Hatcher, Cheryl Lana, Viet Nguyen, Angela Parker, Jenny Rienzo, Hattie Saunders, Michael Scott, Eyana Spencer, Keiko Suda, Jessie Thaler, Aaron Townsend, Hae-Sin Kim Thomas, Alexandra Kulka-Wells, Kathryn Williams, and Sarah Wilner. To those I coached, I am most grateful to have been a witness to your learning and transformation. I am sincerely humbled by your trust in me.

I wouldn't be the coach I am today without the generosity and grace of the following coaches, whom I met through BayCES (an organization now known as the National Equity Project): Leslie Plettner, Shane Safir, Mark Salinas, Liz Simons, and Ken Yale. Each of you played a key role in helping me navigate the wild waters of our schools and the domain of coaching. Your refined skills, dedication, and integrity inspire me every day. Thank you.

To my former team of transformational leadership coaches, you are deep in my practice: Davina Goldwasser, Mary Hurley, Lisa Jimenez, Jennifer Lutzenberger-Phillips, and Annie Prozan. For your friendships, unwavering support, brilliance, and insight, I am most grateful. Kristina Tank-Crestetto, the master coach and manager extraordinaire of this team: your leadership, courage, and perseverance allowed me to become a transformational coach. My gratitude is immeasurable.

My 2012–13 group of transformational coaches is a dream team of deep thinkers. Thank you Noelle Apostol Colin, David Carter, Rafael Cruz, John Gallagher, Anna Martin, Manny Medina, Han Phung, and Michele Reinhart. What a gift and a joy to continue on this journey with all of you.

ASCEND, a small Oakland school, is my evidence that transformation is possible, that the experience and outcomes for urban youth in public schools can be radically different. My appreciation to all who contributed to this effort is extensive.

John Norton—writer, editor, and educator—was my fairy godmother. This book might not have materialized without his encouragement. In addition, he connected me with my editor at Jossey-Bass and offered invaluable advice along the publishing path. We've never met or even spoken—which makes him feel even more mythical—but through our e-mails, I have developed a profound admiration for him, as well as a volume of gratitude.

At Jossey-Bass, I am grateful for Kate Gagnon's enthusiasm for this project and her editorial guidance along the way. Between Kate's support and that of senior editorial assistant Tracy Gallagher, the process of writing a book was far easier than I'd expected.

I first experienced the transformational power of coaching through my dear friend, Lettecia Kratz, who is a phenomenal coach and teacher in the Denver public schools. Many years ago, her coaching helped move my life in new directions. Most recently, Lettecia read long portions of this manuscript and provided invaluable feedback that made the final version much stronger. My heart is filled with gratitude for her friendship.

My Aunt Jeanne and my father, Gilbert, are farmers who have the patience and attentiveness necessary to cultivate land. I strive to emulate these basic dispositions in my coaching. Even in the most difficult moments, my father has helped me find the bright spots and reframe my perception. My aunt and father also cheer and champion my work without understanding much about the context, details, or substance. I am deeply grateful for their support and presence in my life.

This book is dedicated to my mother, my first coach, who is sadly no longer a living presence in my life. She was deeply and passionately committed to alleviating pain and transforming the world. From her, I learned the extraordinary gifts of listening, unconditional love, and compassion. She also encouraged me to laugh at any predicament and use humor as a vehicle for healing. In my coaching I recognize her dedication, influence, and lightness.

And Stacey—my husband, best friend, and comrade—I can't imagine a better partner for this journey. Thank you for Sundays, for the endless technical support, for suggesting that I blog, insisting that I write, and understanding this creative compulsion that keeps us both enthralled. I've reached the outer limit of language; I just don't have words to express my gratitude.

To my beautiful boy, Orion: thank you for all your encouragement while I wrote. Every time you came up to my office and cheered, “Go mama!” my heart burst with joy and I got the energy I needed to go on. You inspire me to be the best person I can be, to be mindful with my words, to be in the present moment, and to be kind and empathetic. I work for transformation for you, my dear, and for all the other beautiful little people in our schools.