“Education reform” may be more popular now than at any time before. Tony Armstrong not only identifies the problems but offers a solution rooted in a recognition of the purpose and motive for true education. His book is well written, tightly argued, and entirely on target. He recognizes that all formal education espouses some set of values. Armstrong chooses the highest values and proposes a means of conveying them to our children and students that is practical and empowering. Amid the charlatans and profiteers who aim to make education more efficient, this book challenges the assumptions of a broken system and calls for us to reimagine the education of our children as if they matter to us.
Jeffrey Mask, Professor of Philosophy and Religion, Wesley College, Delaware. Dr. Mask is a scholar of religious community and teacher of ethics.
— Dr. Jeffrey Mask, Wesley College, DE Professor of Philosophy and Religion
Educating Happiness is a much needed work of scholarship dealing with the fundamental purpose of education. Dr. Armstrong provides a comprehensive guide and resource to exploring the teaching of happiness. After providing an excellent justification for altering the nature of education, he provides concrete examples of how this “new” pedagogy of happiness could be implemented in classrooms from pre-K to college.
— Dr. Joseph Yuichi Howard, Associate Professor of Political Science/Education Policy, University of Central Arkansas
Dr. Armstrong invites members of the academy to re-examine their charge. His premise that an altruistic approach to higher education will facilitate growth and healing serves as an invitation for those who believe enlightenment comes through sharing the canon. Tony Armstrong's compassionate advocacy is the voice of solace and hope.
— Dr. Susan Cooper, Wesley College, DE/Professor of Education
Teacher of twenty-five years, professor, and author Tony Armstrong challenges us to reform our schools and educate our youth by teaching a happiness curriculum in kindergarten through college. Armstrong argues that the ultimate goal in life is happiness; thus, we should teach and prepare our youth to reach this goal. The happiness pedagogy teaches youth to be mindful of their own and others' feelings. It also teaches students to develop self-actualization and how to understand their thoughts and reasoning as well as those others. It fosters creative behavior, philosophizing, and learning about world religions. This book has potential to give our education system a facelift. Educating Angels is informative, as well as positive and upbeat. It is an empowering read for educators and parents. It is well researched: Armstrong clearly justifies why and how students need to learn how to use their feelings to learn. To create a happiness pedagogy, educators will develop activities for their students which practice using inner awareness, social awareness, means to influence feelings, expression, and engagement and inquiry. It is thought that, through this curriculum, students will become better citizens and happier people. This book has the potential to be the next big evolutional movement in education. Consider this title a must-have for professional collections in school and public libraries.
— VOYA - Julia Bowersox