New Wine in New Bottles
Welcome! This is the Official Website of the education history and reform book "New Wine in New Bottles - Public Schools at the Tipping Point" by authors William A. Fisher, D.Ed., and Justin A. (Jay) Saunders. In it, the authors provide insight and leadership for education reform based on American values. Presented are the history and political philosophy of how American public schools were formed, where we stand now, and innovative solutions for fixing the biggest problems plaguing a flawed education system.
In coming weeks, Fisher and Saunders will offer their expertise and leadership on education reform right here through articles and Youtube videos. Please see the bottom of this page to sign up for notifications. Your information will not be sold or traded in any form. You can subscribe and unsubscribe at any time.
"New Wine in New Bottles" is for sale at booksellers in print and digital formats. It is available online via: Alibris Discount Books, Amazon, Books A Million, and Barnes and Noble.
Why Are Our Smartest Teachers Leaving the Classroom?
Drawing on political philosophy, historical insight, and decades of educational research, authors Justin Saunders and Dr. William Fisher offer a fearless diagnosis of a system overrun by bureaucracy, misaligned priorities, and outdated organizational models.
They argue that public schools, once envisioned as the foundation of a democratic republic, have strayed far from their original mission: to educate all children to become competent, self-governing citizens.
This book is more than critique; it’s a comprehensive blueprint for transformation. With a focus on literacy, mathematics, liberal arts, and the success sequence of life skills, the authors online a model K-12 program and higher education curriculum that re-centers the role of the teacher, restores dignity to the classroom, and holds the system accountable to the American ideals it was meant to serve.
For educators, parents, policymakers, and citizens who refuse to accept mediocrity or moral surrender in our schools, "New Wine in New Bottles" is a compelling call to action- and a practical vision for what successful, democratic education can and must become.
The future depends on what we do next.
About the Book
"New Wine in New Bottles" is a 511 page book retailing for $34.95. It is available for sale online and at local booksellers. This education reform book explores critical themes, such as the politics and philosophy of American education history, public school reform, as well as teacher and parent empowerment. Solutions to public school problems are championed within the framework of America's Enlightenment values, democracy, and common sense.
About the Authors
William A. Fisher, D.Ed.
Dr. William A. Fisher is a lifelong educator and scholar with over three decades of experience in teaching, educational leadership, and public policy consulting. Holding degrees in Secondary Education, U.S. History, Librarianship, Educational Administration, and a Doctorate in the Economics of Education, Dr. Fisher’s academic journey spans institutions such as Arizona State College, Northern Arizona University, the University of Washington, and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). A U.S. Air Force veteran, his professional career includes K–12 and university-level instruction, administrative leadership, and international consulting work across North America, Europe, and Australia. His passion for education reform, reflected in his contributions to the education reform book for sale, was shaped not only by research but also through lived experience, working with universities, private colleges, and community initiatives even during a personal battle with cancer. Dr. Fisher brings a deep understanding of educational systems and their education history, as well as the democratic ideals they were meant to serve.
Justin A. Saunders, B.S.
Justin A. Saunders is a chemical engineer turned educator with a unique perspective on both the scientific and human sides of learning. A graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno, Saunders spent years in mining, energy, research, and environmental engineering before answering a deeper call to teaching. For nearly a decade, he taught in public schools, where he witnessed firsthand the structural flaws and unrealized potential of the American education system, inspiring his commitment to public school reform. Born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, Saunders overcame early academic setbacks to become a passionate advocate for educational equity, literacy, and competence. His diverse professional background, combined with real-world teaching experience, empowers him to tackle the urgent challenges of restoring public trust in education. A self-described “jack-of-all-trades,” Saunders brings humility, resilience, and innovation to this vital task.
Major Points from the Book
- In many school districts, the real, non-classroom instruction spending vastly outweighs classroom instruction spending. This means most funding is going into supporting jobs and areas that do not fund student learning. This is a pattern that started in the 1950’s. It cannot continue and will lead to public education’s destruction. Streamlining the education system is needed.
- The authors present what their Model School looks like, how it is structured, how a classroom operates, how its curriculum prepares kids for careers and citizenship, and how this makes for a spending and time-efficient education model.
- America is grounded in the principles of Enlightenment and Democracy. These principles must guide the future of our schools and nation.
- Students learn at different rates. Therefore, the one-size-fits-all education approach proves ineffective. Each student must be given the freedom to progress through K-12 at his own pace.
- Students can learn the material, if given sufficient time.
- Most of the problems in education are structural, rather than people-based. To address these issues, we must choose the right structure: Authoritarian (wrong) vs. Democratic (right).
- For a free society to thrive, students must be literate, free-thinking, and well educated. America's survival and freedom depend on it.
- Education makes up roughly 25 to 60% of the tax spending in any US State.
- There are better ways available to fund classrooms, without raising taxes. Streamlining and reorganizing are needed to re-balance the ratio of non-classroom to classroom instruction spending.
- Fostering a love of education, particularly reading, is a vital, life-long goal to be instilled in every student.
- Recognizing that individuals learn at different rates, it’s essential that each student is allowed to progress at their own pace.
- Parents, students, and teachers should have the freedom (indeed, the empowerment) to choose, and even reject, one another. This is the same, professional work model practiced by lawyers and independent doctors.
- The practice of multiple teachers co-teaching in a classroom according to the lesson plan they have all contributed in making benefits all stakeholders much better than a lone teacher trying to teach 12 to 30 or more students. These same teachers bring their best qualities to the classroom and must be given sufficient time to plan the components of each lesson together.
- Teachers can only teach what they know. They require adequate time to prepare lessons that are engaging, challenging, relevant, and effective.
- Much of the curriculum for K-12 students focuses on college preparation for STEM-M: Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine, which is a wasted effort for many, especially those who won't work in those fields.
- For those interested in education reform, the education reform book for sale, 'New Wine in New Bottles,' covers a variety of concepts and recommendations. The authors not only highlight existing problems but also propose innovative, common-sense solutions to public school reform, emphasizing the critical aspect of teacher and parent empowerment.