I love this Place
What’s Inside
The HUSTLE Framework — Six Leadership Principles That Transform Culture: Humility. Understanding. Scholarship. Trust. Leadership. Excellence.
Humility. Understanding. Scholarship. Trust. Leadership. Excellence. Learn the proven six-part framework that helps you lead yourself first — then amplify that leadership across your entire school. Each principle comes with stories, reflection questions, and practical tools you can use tomorrow.
Real Stories from 17 Years in the Classroom — Failures, Wins, and Hard Truths
Patrick doesn't just teach theory — he shares his own journey from an arrogant young teacher to a culture-building leader. From the student review that shook him, to the conversation with his wife that changed everything, to the enrollment crisis that forced him to look in the mirror — every story is honest, relatable, and deeply practical.
Why Techniques and Strategy Will Never Be Enough
You can master pedagogy, try every classroom management system, and implement the latest tech — and still struggle to build a culture people love. This book reveals why leadership matters more than tactics, and how becoming the right kind of leader changes everything — for your students, your staff, and yourself.
How to become the Tough AND Tender Leader Your School Needs
The drill sergeant gets compliance, not loyalty. The "cotton candy" leader gets popularity, not respect. Learn how to balance high standards with genuine care — holding people accountable while making them feel seen. Discover why caring and accountability are both forms of compassion, and how to lead with both at the same time.
Patrick M. Erwin is the Curriculum Director at Maxwell Leadership Foundation, where he blends his passion for education and leadership development. Previously, he spent 17 years as High School Band Director at Hillgrove High School in Cobb County, GA. Patrick holds degrees in Political Science, Music Education, and Leadership from the University of Georgia, Auburn University, and Berry College. Recognized with awards such as the Symetra ‘Hero in the Classroom’ and George N. Parks “Leadership in Music Education,” Patrick is a sought-after speaker on leadership, student engagement, and professional development.
He has presented at conferences such as the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic and the California Directors of Activities National Conference.. Patrick continues to inspire educators and leaders alike with his commitment to fostering growth, creating positive cultures, and shaping the next generation.
Achievements
Patrick M. Erwin was awarded the 2015 George N. Parks Award for Leadership in Music Education by the National Association for Music Education (NAfME). He received the honor during the Bands of America Grand National Championships in Indianapolis on November 14, 2015.
Why You Need This Book
Your school’s culture isn’t an accident. It’s the result of a thousand daily decisions — how you respond to struggle, how you talk to your staff, how visible you are in the hallways, and whether you’re leading from ego or from service.
Right now, schools are in crisis. Ninety-eight percent of teachers feel undervalued. Sixty-five percent have browsed other job openings in the last year. Students are disengaged, parents are frustrated, and leaders are exhausted.
But the schools that are thriving aren’t the ones with the biggest budgets. They’re the ones with leaders who built culture on purpose — who understand that people don’t stay for curriculum. They stay because they feel seen, valued, and challenged to grow. They stay because something in them says: “I love this place.”
That’s what this book is about.
I Love This Place is Patrick Erwin’s story — but it’s also a roadmap for yours. Whether you’re a principal, a teacher, a coach, or a superintendent, this book will show you how to lead yourself before you lead others, build trust through gratitude and growth, become a “tough and tender” leader who earns both respect and loyalty, and create an environment where excellence is about who people become.
This isn’t a book about adding more to your plate. It’s about becoming the kind of leader whose presence transforms everything they touch — the kind people don’t just follow, they become.
If you’ve ever walked through your school and thought, “This isn’t what I signed up for” — this book is for you.
Your school can be the place everyone loves. It starts with you.
Stock Up and Save - Bulk Pricing for I Love This Place
Whether you’re a principal equipping your leadership team, a superintendent investing in your staff, or a district building a professional development library, we’ve made it easy to bring this book to the educators who need it most.
- 10–29 Books — Save 10% Use code ILTP10 at checkout
- 30-49 Books — Save 20% Use Code ILTP20 at checkout
- 50+ Books — Let’s Talk for large orders, email us at molly.mcwilliams@maxwellleadership.org to place your order and discuss options.
