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Reviving the Soul of Teaching
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Reviving the Soul of Teaching
Balancing Metrics and Magic

Foreword by Leonard O. Pellicer



June 2008 | 152 pages | Corwin

"This book is wonderful. My colleagues often state that the joy has been taken out of teaching. This book is a wake-up call that should be read by lawmakers at every level. Today I am celebrating the childhood of my students—something that we forget to do."
—Christine Zajac, Principal
Lt. Clayre Sullivan School, Holyoke, MA

There is more to education than teacher-proof curricula and scores on high-stakes tests!

Educators know that genuine teaching involves caring, compassion, and building character—principles that can sometimes take a back seat to short-term goals of standardized performance. This inspirational volume for practicing teachers, student teachers, and school leaders champions the heart and soul of teaching and emphasizes how teachers can influence, inspire, and touch the lives of learners. The book explores the central themes of teaching practice and offers perspectives on:

  • Teaching as an art that promotes creativity, character, and imagination in students
  • Balancing testing and accountability with the art and passion of teaching
  • Authentic being and authentic teaching
  • Reform from the ground level, where educators are making a difference in the lives of their students
  • New directions for accountability mandates

A motivating and empowering guide, this book reminds educators why they went into teaching in the first place!


 
Dedication
 
Acknowledgments
 
Foreword by Leonard O. Pellicer
 
About the Authors
 
Preface: A Family of Teachers
 
Introduction: Teaching: Past and Prologue
Historical Roots

 
Current Realities

 
Schools as Organizations

 
Balancing Measurements and Magic

 
Starbucks and 3M: Restoring Balance

 
 
1. Reconfirming the Soul of Teaching
Soulful Wisdom

 
Supportive Folklore and Narrative

 
Bumbling Passion

 
Cacophony of Theologies

 
The Miracle of Saturn

 
 
2. Making a Difference: The Core of Teaching
Sonny and the Backhoe

 
Learning From Excuses

 
From Porsche to Prose

 
Students as Candles, Teachers as Mirrors

 
Sorting Out What Really Matters

 
 
3. School Reform: A Ground-Level Perspective
The Paradox of Change

 
Teachers' Outlook

 
Human Touch: The Endangered Ingredient

 
Janet Hart's Touch

 
Missing the Boat

 
Parents' Apprehension

 
Student Qualms

 
Recalibration NCLB

 
 
4. Being Real: The Authentic Teacher
The Patchwork of Teaching

 
Miss Juhl

 
George Savo

 
Yin and Yang

 
The Inner Path

 
The Sultan of Spunk

 
Finding you Genuineness

 
 
5. You Gotta Believe
God Is Dead

 
God Is Alive and Well

 
The Pygmalion Effect

 
Belief Spawns Verve

 
Saved From the Sharks

 
Pale Gray to Hot Pink

 
Hot Pink Tigers

 
 
6. Setting the Spirit Free
The Legacy of Hisory

 
The Potency of Symbols and Slogans

 
The Inspiration of Heroes

 
The Bonding of Rituals

 
The Grandeur of Ceremonies

 
The Magic of Stories

 
 
7. Speaking Up: Voices from the Trenches
Tuning Out, Signing Up, or Speaking Out?

 
Teachers Speak Their Minds

 
Balancing Metrics and Magic

 
 
8. Charting a New Course
Hidden Costs

 
New Directions for NCLB's Intentions

 
Threats to Global Advantage

 
Some New Wrinkles

 
Simple Things Mean A LOT

 
Reviving the Magic

 
 
References
 
Index

"A most welcome dose of good sense. The authors offer an energizing call to arms for the teaching profession and a most provocative, inspired, and inspiring antidote to No Child Left Behind. In this 'open letter' to the profession, beleaguered teachers will find comfort, affirmation, and heart."

Roland S. Barth, Author, Lessons Learned

"Through inspirational stories that made me laugh and cry, as well as reports of successful organizations that made me think, this engaging and enlightening book charts a course for restoring passion, vigor, and hope to the calling of teaching. It’s a must-read for anyone who cares about schools, teachers, and children."

Susan Roper, Former Director, University Center for Teacher Education
California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo

"Deal and Redman tackle the restoration of a really sound idea: confidence and belief in classroom teachers and their ability to make a difference in the lives of their students. At a time when state and federal accountability systems have stripped teaching of its inherent joy and magic, these powerful defenders of the teaching profession are determined to put it back. Here is a must-read for those who appreciate what teachers do on a daily basis. Bravo!"

Carl A. Cohn, Superintendent
San Diego Unified School District, CA

"Terrence Deal, America’s strongest voice for reason in education reform, is joined by Peggy Deal Redman in calling for a return to balance in how we view teaching and learning. This eloquent book calls us back from the ledge and makes a powerful case for why education is much more than measures and metrics. A must-read."

Paul Houston, Executive Director
American Association of School Administrators

"This book is wonderful. I sometimes feel like a general getting my troops ready for battle instead of an educator trying to inspire others. My colleagues often state that the joy has been taken out of teaching, and there are many days that I feel the same way. This book was a wake-up call for me and should be read by lawmakers at every level. Today I am celebrating the childhood in my students—something we forget to do."

Christine Zajac, Principal
Lt. Clayre Sullivan School, Holyoke, MA

"True education extends beyond mastery of skills and captures a child’s heart and soul. This book provides a common language for parent-teacher communication."

Katie Wetherbee, Educational Consultant
HOPE Educational Consulting, LLC
Key features
  • Two gifted teacher leaders and teacher educators offer this inspirational volume to other practicing teachers, student teachers, school leaders, and members of educational community.
  • An ideal antidote to "NCLB fatigue"
  • Emphasizes how teachers influence, inspire, affect, and touch the lives of learners
  • Helps teachers develop unshakeable confidence in their own roles as teachers

 

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ISBN: 9781452280578

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