I thought this was a fantastic book. It took me three months to read it, but I made it through! The best piece of advice I got from the author was that we are the variable in the classroom. We cannot change all the other things we have to do: testing, schedules, parents and other outside influences but we can change ourselves and I hope we all can manage to do that for the good of our students, staff and school.
I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to others. It made me stop and think about myself. I want to remember that I am the variable. I am so excited about next year and hope to make a difference in the children that I have the opportunity to teach.
I would definitely recommend this book to others! I think it's empowering! We all really are capable of achieving "greatness" if we are willing to honestly assess our current practices and then commit to making the necessary changes that will help us excel in our roles. We also need to remember to support and encourage each other along the way! I look forward to working with the renewed and reenergized fabulous faculty of FVES this upcoming school year!
I would definitely recommend this book to others. It was empowering and made me excited about the upcoming year! It made me stop and reflect back on the past year and plan for next year on things that didn't go so well! I believe our school will come together and have the best year EVER next year!! Children are such a blessing and we are such a big part of their lives!! Let's make a difference by RESISTING THE USUAL!!!! I am so glad to be a part of FVES! Thanks Monroe for assigning this book. I enjoyed it!! :)
I would recommend this book to any teacher. I had my toes stomped on numerous times. Reading this book reminded me of several areas I can work on; patience being one. I think it helps to be reminded of ways we can improve. This book was an easy-read, eapecially for the summer.
I thought this book was great! I would definitely recommend this book to other teachers. This book made me reflect on this past year and look forward to the coming school year. Each chapter made me closely examine myself and realize that I am the variable in my classroom; I control the climate in my classroom. I also enjoyed blogging and interacting with my fellow teachers. I think this was a great way to support each other. I'm so excited to be at FVES!
I loved the book and I loved the blogging. I thought the book was very thought provoking, and with us doing it this way I could reflect on what I read and then respond. I am not a good "thinker on my feet." So this format helped me to really think about what I was trying to say. The comments and dialogue have been awesome. The book was an easy read, but very positive. I would love to give this as a gift to first year teachers or interns about to start their career. I think I will buy several to give as gifts!!!
Thanks for inviting me to follow along! I read this book and watched Todd Whitaker's DVD last winter.I am excited that he will be a speaker at our Administrstive Retreat too!
This book is really a super "before school starts" motivator. We really do have the power to make a difference in the life of a child, and should! I have already recommended this book be included in the management course for UA interns that is currently being revised. By the way, Marilyn and I have discussed this book, however high speed internet has not yet arrived in Moore's Bridge and she says dial up and blogging aren't too efficient! See everyone soon!
Monroe- I know you have gotten alot out of your administrative retreat if you were able to talk one on one with him. Vicke - What a great idea to recommend this for the management class!! The book was a good motivator for the beginning of school. I know I am the variable and need to continue thinking as the variable!! I look forward to the coming year and the ability to set high expectations for the new batch of kindergarteners! :) I love being at Vestavia....
I loved this book. It is so common sense. It reminded me that if I approach all situations of my job with integrity, compassion, and patience I will be a much more successful teacher.
I took my time reading this book and have drug it from San Antonio to the beach to NYC, but I read it while enjoying my summer. I agree with Vicke, this is a great back to school read with many reminders of great and not-so-great teachers of my past. I would (and have)recommend this book to other teachers. The author shares some great wisdom that even experienced, seasoned teachers need to hear.
Lots of great reminders in this book that get you motivated for a new school year. I would recommend this to new as well as not so new teachers that need to reflect on what really makes a great, effective teacher.
This blogspot will be used to discuss Todd Whitaker's book, 'What Great Teachers Do Differently'. The book describes the beliefs, behaviors, attitudes, and interactions that form the fabric of life in our best classrooms and schools. It focuses on the specific things that great teachers do...that others do not.
I thought this was a fantastic book. It took me three months to read it, but I made it through! The best piece of advice I got from the author was that we are the variable in the classroom. We cannot change all the other things we have to do: testing, schedules, parents and other outside influences but we can change ourselves and I hope we all can manage to do that for the good of our students, staff and school.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the book and would recommend it to others. It made me stop and think about myself. I want to remember that I am the variable. I am so excited about next year and hope to make a difference in the children that I have the opportunity to teach.
ReplyDeleteI would definitely recommend this book to others! I think it's empowering! We all really are capable of achieving "greatness" if we are willing to honestly assess our current practices and then commit to making the necessary changes that will help us excel in our roles. We also need to remember to support and encourage each other along the way! I look forward to working with the renewed and reenergized fabulous faculty of FVES this upcoming school year!
ReplyDeleteDITTO on all the comments!
ReplyDeleteI would also recommend Todd Whitaker's, What Great Principals Do Differently, for any administrator.
ReplyDeleteI would definitely recommend this book to others. It was empowering and made me excited about the upcoming year! It made me stop and reflect back on the past year and plan for next year on things that didn't go so well! I believe our school will come together and have the best year EVER next year!! Children are such a blessing and we are such a big part of their lives!! Let's make a difference by RESISTING THE USUAL!!!! I am so glad to be a part of FVES! Thanks Monroe for assigning this book. I enjoyed it!! :)
ReplyDeleteI would recommend this book to any teacher. I had my toes stomped on numerous times. Reading this book reminded me of several areas I can work on; patience being one. I think it helps to be reminded of ways we can improve. This book was an easy-read, eapecially for the summer.
ReplyDeleteI thought this book was great! I would definitely recommend this book to other teachers. This book made me reflect on this past year and look forward to the coming school year. Each chapter made me closely examine myself and realize that I am the variable in my classroom; I control the climate in my classroom. I also enjoyed blogging and interacting with my fellow teachers. I think this was a great way to support each other. I'm so excited to be at FVES!
ReplyDeleteI loved the book and I loved the blogging. I thought the book was very thought provoking, and with us doing it this way I could reflect on what I read and then respond. I am not a good "thinker on my feet." So this format helped me to really think about what I was trying to say. The comments and dialogue have been awesome. The book was an easy read, but very positive. I would love to give this as a gift to first year teachers or interns about to start their career. I think I will buy several to give as gifts!!!
ReplyDeleteI am so excited! Todd Whitaker is going to be a speaker at our Administrative Retreat later this month! I hope he'll sign one of my books!
ReplyDeleteThanks for inviting me to follow along! I read this book and watched Todd Whitaker's DVD last winter.I am excited that he will be a speaker at our Administrstive Retreat too!
ReplyDeleteThis book is really a super "before school starts" motivator. We really do have the power to make a difference in the life of a child, and should! I have already recommended this book be included in the management course for UA interns that is currently being revised. By the way, Marilyn and I have discussed this book, however high speed internet has not yet arrived in Moore's Bridge and she says dial up and blogging aren't too efficient! See everyone soon!
ReplyDeleteMonroe- I know you have gotten alot out of your administrative retreat if you were able to talk one on one with him.
ReplyDeleteVicke - What a great idea to recommend this for the management class!!
The book was a good motivator for the beginning of school. I know I am the variable and need to continue thinking as the variable!! I look forward to the coming year and the ability to set high expectations for the new batch of kindergarteners! :) I love being at Vestavia....
Met Todd Whitaker today! His presentation was fantastic! I even invited him to our blog! Pictures will be coming soon...
ReplyDeleteI loved this book. It is so common sense. It reminded me that if I approach all situations of my job with integrity, compassion, and patience I will be a much more successful teacher.
ReplyDeleteI took my time reading this book and have drug it from San Antonio to the beach to NYC, but I read it while enjoying my summer. I agree with Vicke, this is a great back to school read with many reminders of great and not-so-great teachers of my past. I would (and have)recommend this book to other teachers. The author shares some great wisdom that even experienced, seasoned teachers need to hear.
ReplyDeleteLots of great reminders in this book that get you motivated for a new school year. I would recommend this to new as well as not so new teachers that need to reflect on what really makes a great, effective teacher.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this book and it really gave me some "food for thought" as I begin this school year! Would definitely recommend it.
ReplyDelete