Owning It

With foreword by Harry K. WongChange is coming at us from all angles: technological, cultural, social, and environmental. This presents a great challenge (and a great opportunity) in schools and in the teaching profession. With Owning It, you'll discover an array of easy-to-implement strategies designed to help you excel in the myriad of modern-day responsibilities of teachers and educators: classroom leader, mentor, colleague, team member, and public professional.This book will empower teachers to own their careers, teach effectively, and develop strong relationships:Acquire straightforward strategies for dealing with everyday situations found in classrooms, schools, and communities.Understand the multifaceted role of a teacher in today's schools and how to balance the numerous responsibilities -- from classroom management to relationships with colleagues.Feel inspired and motivated to bring out the best in yourself as well as in your students.Observe creative approaches to improve teaching strategies and student engagement.Answer reflection questions to connect with and relate to the strategies covered in the book.Contents:Part 1: Owning It in Your Classroom: Strategies for Creating an Environment of AchievementChapter 1: Revisit Your Personal Philosophy's ValueChapter 2: Make the Most of the First Five Minutes of Any ClassChapter 3: Increase Your Classroom Presence to Seem Like You're Everywhere at OnceChapter 4: Never Sabotage a Teachable MomentChapter 5: Help Students Learn Out Loud and Still Keep a Handle on Your ClassroomChapter 6: Transform Your Perception of Data and Help Your Students SucceedChapter 7: Think Outside the Bubble on All-Important Standardized TestsPart 2: Owning It With Your Most Challenging Students: Strategies for Succeeding With At-Risk and Struggling Student PopulationsChapter 8: Bring Ethnic Identity and Culturally Relevant Curriculum Into Your ClassroomChapter 9: Close the Achievement Gap With At-Risk StudentsChapter 10: Succeed With At-Risk YouthChapter 11: Manage Disruptive Classroom BehaviorChapter 12: Establish a Negotiation With At-Risk and Struggling StudentsChapter 13: Reel Parents in With Three Basic StrategiesChapter 14: Empower Students by Putting Them in ChargePart 3: Owning It at Your School and District: Strategies for Succeeding as a Member of a Staff TeamChapter 15: Turn 'Not Another Meeting' Into 'Let's Get to Business!'Chapter 16: Help Your School's New Teachers Succeed (and Stick Around)Chapter 17: Improve Schools by Minding Collegial Generation GapsChapter 18: Approach a Colleague About a ConflictChapter 19: Five Ways to Make Shared Positions Work for Teachers, Students, and AdministratorsPart 4: Owning It in Your Community: Strategies for Making a Positive Impact Beyond Your School and ClassroomChapter 20: Turn Potential Foes Into Supportive AlliesChapter 21: Put the Spotlight on Your SchoolChapter 22: Get Teachers Into the Community and the Community Into TeachersChapter 23: Step Up and Share Your Ideas With Fellow EducatorsChapter 24: Make Blogs an Essential Support Mechanism for Teaching