"The Teachers Network, one of the most effective professional development organizations in education, has much to teach us. Ellen Meyers and her colleagues explain how supporting, connecting, and investing in teachers provides the best hope for our nation's public schools. Their invaluable work, distilled to its essence in these pages, creates opportunities for teachers to work collaboratively with colleagues, to learn from one another about how to teach better, and through that professional growth to remain committed to education. The authors show us how to do it." -Linda Darling-Hammond, Charles E. Ducommun Professor of Education Stanford University "The Power of Teacher Networks provides a ringing clarion call for teacher collaboration and for grounding educational policy in the real world of the classroom and the school. Part how-to manual for building teacher networks and part chronicle of the authors' successful work, this book sets forth a vision for the transformation of our nation's schools through the development of teacher voices." -Randi Weingarten, President American Federation of Teachers "Essential for anyone interested in the future of public education in America. Embedded in the notion that teachers are the solution, not the problem, this book explores how teachers can create a vision, find a voice, manage a growing network, and make a difference. Surely there is nothing more important as we grapple with how best to move forward." -Bill Cirone, Superintendent Santa Barbara County Education Office, CA "When teachers network, they become a social force for the good of society and each child in their classrooms. This book is a must-read for anyone who cares about teaching and teacher development." -Mary M. Brabeck, Dean and Professor of Applied Psychology Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, New York University Foster high-quality teaching and leadership through teacher networks! When connected through inter-school networks, teachers can communicate with each other and share invaluable information and ideas across district and state boundaries, ultimately enhancing both their own effectiveness and student learning. This step-by-step guide shows you how to create, manage, and sustain a teacher network or grow an existing one, and provides an easily adaptable model developed by The Teachers Network. The book includes teacher vignettes and director and advisors' experiences in managing a network, plus a wealth of worksheets, tools, and resources to get you started. Practical guidelines illustrate how networks can: Support new teachers, reduce teacher isolation, and increase retention rates Share the benefits of collaborative group work, including action research Enhance professional practice and nurture teacher leaders Connect teachers to the goals and ideals that drew them into education Teachers working together can not only make a significant impact on their school communities, but also strengthen the influence that teacher leaders can have in the wider arena of educational policy.
"I couldn't stop reading this book! It masterfully pinpoints how language plays a critical, fundamental role in our daily lives as educators. Most important, it shows us how our deepest thoughts are manifested in language and how we can deal with them in our continued efforts to dismantle gender, racial, and class prejudice." -Susan Roberta Katz, Professor and Chair of International & Multicultural Education University of San Francisco "The authors show that by thinking critically about how we interact with others and by making the necessary changes in our own behavior, leaders can model respectful and collaborative ways of addressing and responding to others and gradually change the norms of the whole community." -Gordon Wells, Professor of Education University of California, Santa Cruz "Any chapter is enough for a year's worth of conversation, and occasionally a good argument-among students, staff, and families. The book is an invitation to dialogue with one's peers, but it also prompts dialogue with oneself. A must-read." -Deborah W. Meier, Educational Reformer, Writer, and Activist Unlock the power of language to promote equity in your school! This enlightening book shows how everyday speech can be a transforming force in today's schools, creating a more equitable environment for people of all backgrounds. Written by experts on language and diversity, this resource combines research-validated tools and real-world insights for addressing verbal communication issues within the classroom and schoolwide. Readers will find: Case studies and vignettes that show how language contributes to school change and shapes community relationships Thought-provoking exercises that strengthen language awareness and leadership skills Guidance on effectively coaching students and colleagues on equity issues and the use of appropriate language By using language to overcome barriers, foster collaboration, and promote respect, leaders can make a significant difference in the quality of life and work in schools.
"I couldn't stop reading this book! It masterfully pinpoints how language plays a critical, fundamental role in our daily lives as educators. Most important, it shows us how our deepest thoughts are manifested in language and how we can deal with them in our continued efforts to dismantle gender, racial, and class prejudice." -Susan Roberta Katz, Professor and Chair of International & Multicultural Education University of San Francisco "The authors show that by thinking critically about how we interact with others and by making the necessary changes in our own behavior, leaders can model respectful and collaborative ways of addressing and responding to others and gradually change the norms of the whole community." -Gordon Wells, Professor of Education University of California, Santa Cruz "Any chapter is enough for a year's worth of conversation, and occasionally a good argument-among students, staff, and families. The book is an invitation to dialogue with one's peers, but it also prompts dialogue with oneself. A must-read." -Deborah W. Meier, Educational Reformer, Writer, and Activist Unlock the power of language to promote equity in your school! This enlightening book shows how everyday speech can be a transforming force in today's schools, creating a more equitable environment for people of all backgrounds. Written by experts on language and diversity, this resource combines research-validated tools and real-world insights for addressing verbal communication issues within the classroom and schoolwide. Readers will find: Case studies and vignettes that show how language contributes to school change and shapes community relationships Thought-provoking exercises that strengthen language awareness and leadership skills Guidance on effectively coaching students and colleagues on equity issues and the use of appropriate language By using language to overcome barriers, foster collaboration, and promote respect, leaders can make a significant difference in the quality of life and work in schools.
Written from the author's experience, this guide details the use of storytelling across the curriculum. Harriet Mason's methods incorporate visual arts and music and movement to stimulate creative and critical thinking. Her book outlines over 100 activities to teach storytelling together with estimates of time required, grade-level guidance, level of difficulty, special materials needed, step-by-step descriptions and suggested variations.
How You Can Help or Harm African American Students
This reader-friendly, interactive staff development resource is designed to help teachers deal with some of the main barriers-particularly "mental baggage"-that impede their progress with African American students. The Power of One underscores an important point about intrinsic motivation that is frequently neglected in the equity literature-that teachers will personally benefit from increasing their efficacy with students of colour. The author skillfully blends compelling first-person narratives, personal growth exercises, and informational text in a manner that engages both hearts and minds.
"A valuable addition to the growing conversation about solution-focused practice in schools. Cooley provides the nuts and bolts of solution-focused group work with students of all ages." -John J. Murphy, Professor of Psychology University of Central Arkansas "The book is a pleasure to read, extremely informative, and helpful. The organization and content teaches a skill in a way that makes the reader feel empowered." -Cynthia Knowles, Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist and Consultant A fresh, dynamic approach to build on students' strengths and encourage positive mental health. Solution-focused brief counseling helps students improve their well-being by concentrating on goals and solutions rather than dwelling on problems. This resource shows how to use this highly effective approach for group counseling sessions so that students can dialogue and learn alongside their peers. Research-based and practical, this unique guide gives school professionals the foundational theory and knowledge to adapt solution-focused group counseling techniques for any topic, curriculum, or grade level. Readers will find: Case studies of real students encountering real problems Forms, permissions slips, and sample letters for starting a group "Do This" and "Avoid This" sections Sample agendas for elementary, middle, and high school levels, complete with activities, session scripts, and discussion questions Help students address common issues by creating lively, engaging group meetings using this powerful, goal-oriented methodology.
"A valuable addition to the growing conversation about solution-focused practice in schools. Cooley provides the nuts and bolts of solution-focused group work with students of all ages." -John J. Murphy, Professor of Psychology University of Central Arkansas "The book is a pleasure to read, extremely informative, and helpful. The organization and content teaches a skill in a way that makes the reader feel empowered." -Cynthia Knowles, Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist and Consultant A fresh, dynamic approach to build on students' strengths and encourage positive mental health. Solution-focused brief counseling helps students improve their well-being by concentrating on goals and solutions rather than dwelling on problems. This resource shows how to use this highly effective approach for group counseling sessions so that students can dialogue and learn alongside their peers. Research-based and practical, this unique guide gives school professionals the foundational theory and knowledge to adapt solution-focused group counseling techniques for any topic, curriculum, or grade level. Readers will find: Case studies of real students encountering real problems Forms, permissions slips, and sample letters for starting a group "Do This" and "Avoid This" sections Sample agendas for elementary, middle, and high school levels, complete with activities, session scripts, and discussion questions Help students address common issues by creating lively, engaging group meetings using this powerful, goal-oriented methodology.
This book explores the idea of why branding schools is important, the benefits of branding a school, and gives leaders an action plan for branding. Branding is a way for leaders to make students' learning visible to the entire education community in order to share best practices, celebrate achievements, and make sure that the education community is focused on the most important person: the student. This book will give leaders: An understanding of why branding is so important to students' success Stories of how branding has brought positive impacts to schools Tools to start telling your school story There is also the Connected Educators Series website where readers can connect with all of the authors of the series, find more resources, and find real support for putting branding into practice.
Twenty Years of Research and Practice in UK and US Classrooms
Focused on student-centeredness and rich with classroom examples, this book is a 'sounding board' for educators to explore and reflect on their own AfL practices and beliefs.
