A Message from Walter
A Rare Glimpse of an Authentic Leader Reaching the Heights of His Career
It has been our distinct pleasure to cross paths with Stuart Grauer in our work at The Worthy Educator. Like so many other wonderful leaders in education, we're not sure if we ever would have had the honor in our previous lives. But one bright, shining day last October, he reached out simply to say, "Hi!" and "I've looked over your site and there's not one ounce of cynicism in the entire place!" One thing led to another, and as we continued to talk, Stuart shared that he had been working on a third book, capping off his career starting and leading small schools and the small schools movement. He was leaning away from shopping it around to traditional publishers, as he wanted to do it his way and leave his mark on the work. "Would we be interested in exploring the possibilities?" he asked. Is anyone reading this surprised that, YES, we were interested?
Stuart is a one-of-a-kind original. There was no mold when they made him, and if there was, he would have broken it. One maverick to another, I admire this very much in him. He is not intimidated by the challenges of transforming education. Rather, he relishes the opportunities to take them head on. He asks tough questions, seeks answers from real stakeholders to nail down the implications, and openly shares his wins, losses and takeaways from every moment of his extraordinary life. As a lifelong surfer, world traveler and truth-seeker, Stuart has great stories to tell, and he tells them with his unique flair; his wry wit and self-deprecating humor make for a delightful experience for everyone he encounters.
Like all great educators, Stuart is a champion for what's best for children, and his Grauer School in Encinitas, California is a testament to every belief he tested in trailblazing a better way forward for our children and their learning. To facilitate our understanding of his work, he references Pancho's Kitchen, a popular camp and river eddy located near mile 137.6 on the Colorado River on the very deepest floor the Grand Canyon. With it's sandy beach within the inner gorge of the canyon, and a prominent rock overhead, Stuart references it as the destination at the end of a journey, paralleling his storied career. This is the inspiration for his new book....no, his crowning achievement....The Way to Pancho's Kitchen (The Worthy Educator Press, 2026).
In writing, revising and developing this recounting of his life's work, Stuart wanted it to be a collection of original stories, a trail guide of leadership lessons, and a companion for likeminded educators who continue to push to transform education into a more relevant, meaningful and sustainable way forward for teaching and learning. It is an honor to work side-by-side with him, on everything from the flow of his narrative to the look-and-feel of the book to its subtitle, supporting him in realizing the full potential of this amazing manuscript. This is what sets us apart. We know how it feels to have an editor take our work and turn it into something so different that it no longer feels like our own. We are proud to say that The Way to Pancho's Kitchen is 100% genuinely Stuart Grauer. Now in the process of publishing this masterwork with an April 4th release date, we have served as Stuart's partner throughout the entire process, from revisions to layout and design to pricing and launch strategy. It has been an amazing ride!
In an era of conflict and disruption over what is no longer working in education, Stuart Grauer reminds us....reconnects us....no, helps us rediscover....what is right and good about our profession. While the institutional challenges he addresses are very real, his spirit of innovation and aspiration set the tone for the next generation of leaders pioneering new paths in preparing our progeny for an uncertain future no longer beholden to the linear, logical legacy of the industrial age. From his guidance to readers on how to use this book, to his well-documented research on starting small schools as incubators for innovation, to his insights that are a balm for the aching hearts of educators everywhere, The Way to Pancho's Kitchen is a revelation from a maverick's life well-lived. Stuart doesn't pretend to have all the answers, but he centers us in asking all the right questions. He will push your thinking, cause you to question your assumptions, reinforce your convictions and reassure you of all the reasons you got into education in the first place.
When we think of all the wonderful people we know across the span of our respective careers, it is striking to realize how lucky we are to have encountered Stuart Grauer at this point in the work. He affirms everything we believe about the next iteration of education, and we are bolstered by his wisdom and example. Thank you, Stuart, for finding us, for sharing your amazing journey, and for entrusting us with this final, crowning achievement of your distinguished career. We are proud to call you friend, colleague and Worthy author!
