Teacher David B. Cohen spent a year visiting public schools throughout California, finding out what it takes to bring out the best in students, teachers, and schools. Take a look inside dozens of California classrooms to see what leads to inspired teaching, and what will help more California schools to thrive in the future.

An inspiring account of teachers in ordinary circumstances doing extraordinary things, showing us how to transform education What School Could Be offers an inspiring vision of what our teachers and students can accomplish if trusted with the challenge of developing the skills and ways of thinking needed to thrive in a world of dizzying technological change. Innovation expert Ted Dintersmith took an unprecedented trip across America, visiting all fifty states in a single school year. He originally set out to raise awareness about the urgent need to reimagine education to prepare students for a world marked by innovation--but America's teachers one-upped him. All across the country, he met teachers in ordinary settings doing extraordinary things, creating innovative classrooms where children learn deeply and joyously as they gain purpose, agency, essential skillsets and mindsets, and real knowledge. Together, these new ways of teaching and learning offer a vision of what school could be—and a model for transforming schools throughout the United States and beyond. Better yet, teachers and parents don't have to wait for the revolution to come from above. They can readily implement small changes that can make a big difference. America's clock is ticking. Our archaic model of education trains our kids for a world that no longer exists, and accelerating advances in technology are eliminating millions of jobs. But the trailblazing of many American educators gives us reasons for hope. Capturing bold ideas from teachers and classrooms across America, What School Could Be provides a realistic and profoundly optimistic roadmap for creating cultures of innovation and real learning in all our schools.

"This book continually comes back to the relationships formed between students and staff. Using an array of statistics and personal observations, Peters calls upon the heart and the conscience of the educator when asking you to ′bring your best′ every day into the classroom." —From the Foreword by Alan M. Blankstein Motivate educators in a collaborative endeavor to bring about real change in schools and classrooms! Reflecting Stephen G. Peters′ motivational workshops, this resource provides practical guidelines for influencing school culture and inspiring higher student performance based on understanding today′s learners. The book provides strategies and tested techniques that have transformed struggling schools into national and state blue-ribbon winners. The author, well-known for creating the "Gentleman′s Club," invites students who are considered at risk to participate in the decision-making process of school change. Eloquently illustrating the immediate need for improvement in our schools, this resource covers: The expanded roles for educators leading change initiatives The reasons why many students do not perform well Practical, specific tips for turning a vision for change into a school′s reality Principals and teacher leaders will welcome this unique approach that can bring about meaningful transformations in students, teachers, and entire school communities.

Deftly navigate the constant cycles of change and reform with the support of this actionable resource. Author Jeremy S. Adams identifies five key teacher relationships--the self, students, colleagues, administrators, and the community--and outlines how change impacts each. Discover concrete strategies for not only strengthening these relationships but also rediscovering professional purpose and truly thriving in the classroom. Use this resource's practical strategies to navigate changes in the teaching profession: Recognize the waves of change that are characteristic of 21st century education. Explore the dynamics of the five key relationships in which classroom teachers are involved. Identify the ways in which teacher morale affects teacher efficacy and collaboration, as well as overall school morale. Reflect on and respond to the problem or strategy presented at the end of every section. Learn specific research-based strategies for improving the five key relationships. Contents: Acknowledgments Table of Contents About the Author Introduction Part 1: The Self Chapter 1: Recognizing the Need for Self-Care Chapter 2: Practicing Self-Care Part 2: Students Chapter 3: Understanding Stress Among the Desks Chapter 4: Promoting Learning and Mitigating Student Anxiety Part 3: Colleagues Chapter 5: Unraveling the Conflict Among Teachers Chapter 6: Committing to Teacher Collaboration Part 4: Administration Chapter 7: Identifying Divergent Teacher and Principal Perspectives Chapter 8: Maintaining Staff Cohesion Through Communication Part 5: The Community Chapter 9: Viewing Education From a Distance Chapter 10: Connecting Citizens and Schools Epilogue References and Resources Index

The author gives us a vision of educational reform that transcends standards, curriculum, and instructional strategies. He argues for a paradigm shift-a schoolwide embrace of an "ethic of excellence" and with a passion for quality describes what's possible when teachers, students, and parents commit to nothing less than the best. The author tells exactly how this can be done, from the blackboard to the blacktop to the school boardroom.

Written by a teacher for teachers, Teaching Resilience and Mental Health Across the Curriculum is an integrative approach to pedagogy for educators at the high school and college level to survive, thrive, and sustain in the profession. Blending theory, research, and practice for a comprehensive program for teachers to incorporate well-being tools into the classroom, each of the book’s five foundations includes engaging information, strategies, real-world examples, interactive reflection questions, and activities that can be directly applied to teaching and life. Practical guidance in designing real-world curriculum is offered alongside accessible strategies for engagement, investment, and active learning in student-centered classrooms. An essential guide for teachers, it includes techniques for incorporating well-being that are grounded in culturally responsive teaching, trauma-informed instruction, mental health, resilience, and emotional literacy. Teachers will also gain insight on how to make the career sustainable through practices for self-compassion and authentic self-care so they can not only survive, but flourish in and out of school. For all the challenges that students and teachers face, this book defines what it means, and what it takes, to teach in today’s classrooms.

When we tell kids to complete an assignment, we get compliance. When we empower learners to explore and learn how to make an impact on the world, we inspire problem solvers and innovators.