Ron Brandt's name is familiar to most ASCD members, even if they've never met Ron in person or talked with him by phone or e-mail. All ASCD members have certainly felt his influence, for Ron Brandt was a major creative force at ASCD from the time he joined the staff in 1978 until August 1st, 1997, when he retired.
Ron served ASCD most recently as an Assistant Executive Director, but he was primarily an editor for 17 very productive years. A natural innovator and bold thinker, Ron personally solicited and helped to develop hundreds of significant ASCD books, publications, and programs. He was consistently out in front predicting the latest trends, yet he did not shy away from publishing works on meaningful but less popular topics.
His role as Executive Editor evolved over time. Early on, his hands-on role included editing manuscripts and appearing in ASCD's first videos. Later, he supervised a department on the cutting edge of electronic publishing. Throughout this evolution, his astute ability to select themes, topics, and authors was a constant.
Educational Leadership
Ron is best known in the profession as Executive Editor of ASCD's Educational Leadership, one of the most highly regarded journals in education. For nearly two decades, his determination to provide practical information that can make a difference in schools resulted in a magazine that educators at all levels read and value. He provided educators a forum through which they could share research, examine controversial issues, and debate the pros and cons of new instructional practices. Since 1980, Educational Leadership has garnered more than 40 awards for interviews, series, theme issues, learned articles, covers, and graphics.
The many books Ron commissioned include Circles of Learning, Discipline with Dignity, Developing Minds, Making Connections: Teaching and the Human Brain, and Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom. He was an early advocate of teaching thinking, working with Bob Marzano and others to develop Dimensions of Thinking and Dimensions of Learning.
Under Ron's leadership, ASCD's newsletters also helped ASCD members stay informed about education trends and issues. Since 1980, Education Update and Curriculum Update have won numerous awards, notably three times winning the Silver Award for general excellence from the Society of National Association Publications.
ASCD videotape series produced under Ron's direction include Cooperative Learning, Teaching Skillful Thinking, Redesigning Assessment, Teaching Strategies Library, Integrating the Curriculum, and Making Meaning: Integrated Language Arts.
A Rich Legacy
Through his leadership Ron Brandt set the direction and tone for many educational initiatives. He helped shape the national dialogue, by engaging authors who were well informed, diverse in viewpoint, and thoughtful and forceful in style.
Thanks to Ron Brandt's leadership and determination, ASCD's publications are revered and widely read by teachers, administrators, curriculum and staff development specialists, graduate students, and university professors.
Ron Brandt leaves behind a rich legacy of excellence, creativity, and influence—a legacy that will stand ASCD in good stead in the years to come.