A Hands-on Guide to Child-Centered, Equitable Instruction
Insights and customizable templates help you adapt and create tools for student-centered writing instruction informed by four domains of responsivity: academic, linguistic, cultural, and social-emotional.
Research shows that the single variable that makes the most difference in student performance is the quality of the teacher. How do we keep teachers motivated in the face of increased pressure for grades, class sizes and media attention? How do we attract and retain high-quality teachers? This inspiring text offers a refreshing alternative to the portfolio and high-stakes accountability models of school improvement. Based on the successful methods of Dealous Cox, The Relentless Pursuit of Excellence describes a leadership philosophy based on the search for wisdom through personal reflection and community. The authors share their experience with this leadership style and document the sustainable results of transformational leaders working with teachers as partners rather than adversaries. These results include: - Consistently improved teacher performance - Improved teacher quality - Greater professional satisfaction for teachers - Stronger community support for schools Richard Sagor and Deborah Rickey have tracked this established leadership model for more than 30 years. Their work shows how, when sustained over time, these leadership principles have transformed professional behavior throughout school districts and made a long-term difference for teachers and students.
"Like the little train that said 'I think I can, I think I can,' this book tells school counselors, 'You can, you can' do research. The text encourages and guides school counselors who have very little time and resources for research, enabling them to show and tell the differences that result from their programs." -Angie Stansell, School Counselor Hatton High School, Town Creek, AL "This text can help any school counselor develop the observation and analytical skills to become a practitioner-inquirer. However, the book is much more than a collection of research techniques-it is a celebration of what is possible when school counselors pursue answers to their own questions about the students with whom they work. I predict this groundbreaking book will become a classic." -Ruth Shagoury Author, The Art of Classroom Inquiry Become an advocate for underserved students by using data from inquiry projects! This practical and timely book is ideal for school counselors unfamiliar with the process of practitioner research, from framing research questions and gathering authentic data to using results that can benefit students and create lasting schoolwide change. The authors use the American School Counselor Association's National Model to build practitioners' inquiry skills on issues of achievement, opportunity inequities, school culture, and community partnerships. The text covers: Practical methods for formulating the questions on which inquiry projects are based A step-by-step process for collecting, analyzing, and using data Guidelines for developing counselors' advocacy, leadership, and collaboration skills
"Like the little train that said 'I think I can, I think I can,' this book tells school counselors, 'You can, you can' do research. The text encourages and guides school counselors who have very little time and resources for research, enabling them to show and tell the differences that result from their programs." -Angie Stansell, School Counselor Hatton High School, Town Creek, AL "This text can help any school counselor develop the observation and analytical skills to become a practitioner-inquirer. However, the book is much more than a collection of research techniques-it is a celebration of what is possible when school counselors pursue answers to their own questions about the students with whom they work. I predict this groundbreaking book will become a classic." -Ruth Shagoury Author, The Art of Classroom Inquiry Become an advocate for underserved students by using data from inquiry projects! This practical and timely book is ideal for school counselors unfamiliar with the process of practitioner research, from framing research questions and gathering authentic data to using results that can benefit students and create lasting schoolwide change. The authors use the American School Counselor Association's National Model to build practitioners' inquiry skills on issues of achievement, opportunity inequities, school culture, and community partnerships. The text covers: Practical methods for formulating the questions on which inquiry projects are based A step-by-step process for collecting, analyzing, and using data Guidelines for developing counselors' advocacy, leadership, and collaboration skills
"A tool box overflowing with ideas that will help every staff developer craft a school culture hospitable to adult and student learning." -Roland S. Barth, Author, Lessons Learned "The book speaks to many audiences, including instructional coaches, PLC leaders, action researchers and group leaders, and university professors working with action researchers and PLCs." -Gail Ritchie, Coleader, Teacher Researcher Network Fairfax County Public Schools, VA "A terrific resource for connecting teacher networks and action research to create powerful professional development opportunities. This book is a joy to read." -Ellen Meyers, Senior Vice President Teachers Network Powerful tools for facilitating teachers' professional development and optimizing school improvement efforts! Professional learning communities (PLCs) and action research are popular and proven frameworks for professional development. While both can greatly improve teaching and learning, few resources have combined the two practices into one coherent approach. The Reflective Educator's Guide to Professional Development provides educators with strategies, activities, and tools to develop inquiry-oriented PLCs. Nationally known school reform experts Nancy Fichtman Dana and Diane Yendol-Hoppey cover the ten essential elements of a healthy PLC, provide case studies of actual inquiry-based PLCs, and present lessons learned to help good coaches become great coaches. With this step-by-step guide, readers will be able to: Organize, assess, and maintain high-functioning, inquiry-oriented PLCs Facilitate the development of study questions Establish the trust and collective commitment necessary for successful action research Enable PLC members to develop, analyze, and share research results Lead successful renewal and reform efforts By combining two powerful training practices, coaches, workshop leaders, and staff developers can ensure continuous, robust school-based professional development.
"A tool box overflowing with ideas that will help every staff developer craft a school culture hospitable to adult and student learning." -Roland S. Barth, Author, Lessons Learned "The book speaks to many audiences, including instructional coaches, PLC leaders, action researchers and group leaders, and university professors working with action researchers and PLCs." -Gail Ritchie, Coleader, Teacher Researcher Network Fairfax County Public Schools, VA "A terrific resource for connecting teacher networks and action research to create powerful professional development opportunities. This book is a joy to read." -Ellen Meyers, Senior Vice President Teachers Network Powerful tools for facilitating teachers' professional development and optimizing school improvement efforts! Professional learning communities (PLCs) and action research are popular and proven frameworks for professional development. While both can greatly improve teaching and learning, few resources have combined the two practices into one coherent approach. The Reflective Educator's Guide to Professional Development provides educators with strategies, activities, and tools to develop inquiry-oriented PLCs. Nationally known school reform experts Nancy Fichtman Dana and Diane Yendol-Hoppey cover the ten essential elements of a healthy PLC, provide case studies of actual inquiry-based PLCs, and present lessons learned to help good coaches become great coaches. With this step-by-step guide, readers will be able to: Organize, assess, and maintain high-functioning, inquiry-oriented PLCs Facilitate the development of study questions Establish the trust and collective commitment necessary for successful action research Enable PLC members to develop, analyze, and share research results Lead successful renewal and reform efforts By combining two powerful training practices, coaches, workshop leaders, and staff developers can ensure continuous, robust school-based professional development.
Strengthening Practice Through Knowledge, Story, and Metaphor
"Uses metaphor to connect the reader in a personal way with the intricacies of mentoring-a powerful catalyst for reflection." -Hal Portner, Educational Consultant "Sets the stage for the reader with a thoughtful, proactive context for carrying on the work of mentor." -Tom Ganser, Director, Office of Field Experiences, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater "What the text does so well is enable mentors to deeply consider their role and how they live this role within their interactions with new teachers." -Debra Pitton, Associate Professor of Education, Gustavus Adolphus College Deepen your mentoring practice with this innovative new approach! Effective mentoring requires planned and mindful attention to the ways in which one's knowledge, skills, and experience can be passed on to new teachers. Stressing the importance of deep reflection on one's mentoring practice, the award-winning authors offer eight models/metaphors that mentors can customize to meet the individual needs of their mentees. Proven strategies and real-life stories help teacher educators, trainers, and mentors to: Meet the diverse needs of mentor/mentee relationships Develop helpful mentoring tools Continue to reflect, learn, and grow as mentors This resource is sure to inspire critical conversation and fresh insights among all mentors committed to professional growth for themselves and their fellow teachers.
Strengthening Practice Through Knowledge, Story, and Metaphor
"Uses metaphor to connect the reader in a personal way with the intricacies of mentoring-a powerful catalyst for reflection." -Hal Portner, Educational Consultant "Sets the stage for the reader with a thoughtful, proactive context for carrying on the work of mentor." -Tom Ganser, Director, Office of Field Experiences, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater "What the text does so well is enable mentors to deeply consider their role and how they live this role within their interactions with new teachers." -Debra Pitton, Associate Professor of Education, Gustavus Adolphus College Deepen your mentoring practice with this innovative new approach! Effective mentoring requires planned and mindful attention to the ways in which one's knowledge, skills, and experience can be passed on to new teachers. Stressing the importance of deep reflection on one's mentoring practice, the award-winning authors offer eight models/metaphors that mentors can customize to meet the individual needs of their mentees. Proven strategies and real-life stories help teacher educators, trainers, and mentors to: Meet the diverse needs of mentor/mentee relationships Develop helpful mentoring tools Continue to reflect, learn, and grow as mentors This resource is sure to inspire critical conversation and fresh insights among all mentors committed to professional growth for themselves and their fellow teachers.
