Powerful Classroom Stories from Accomplished Teachers (Hardcover)

"We must improve schools from within, utilizing our expertise as teaching professionals and placing ourselves at the center of the education reform movement. As Adrienne Mack-Kirschner informs us all in this important book, 'These stories represent what is happening in tens of thousands of classrooms. They hold within them the power of what could be if all teachers and schools provided opportunities for all children to experience powerful teaching and learning.'" -- From the Foreword by Cathy R. Owens, NBCT "Thought provoking and powerful." -- Mary Bell, Community Advocate "Adrienne Mack-Kirschner's book provides a welcome antidote to all the bad news about teachers that makes daily headlines. Reading these stories gave me hope. With such teachers in our classrooms, public education is in good hands." -- Carol Jago, Teacher, Writer, Editor "Warm, interesting, and informative. I recommend it not only to all teachers looking to hone their professional skills, but also to all parents who insist upon a quality educational experience for their children." -- Gregory J. Vallone, Principal "How clearly teachers, in their stories, articulate the importance of connecting students--either through first person anecdotes or experiential trips--to real life. Twenty years from now when asked about memories from school these students will remember these experiences that touched their lives--the results of accomplished teachers who touch our children's lives every day." -- Kathy Duba, Deputy Superintendent "Adrienne Mack-Kirschner's book lets us teachers know that indeed we do make a difference in the lives of the students in our classrooms. She has collected 'our' stories so that we can feel connected to our fellow educators, so that we can know beyond all doubt that what we do each day does mean something. That knowledge is what makes teaching worthwhile; that is what makes teaching a joy." -- Brenda Culp Smith, NBCT "A must read for all teacher prep programs, with enriching ideas for ALL teachers, and vital to counter the effects of teaching for testing!" -- Barbara Yvette LeWinter, NBCT "Readers are reminded that teaching reaches beyond a child's academics to personal and emotional domains. Through the author's commentary, the volume reinforces the power of story to help us understand and learn from students." -- CHOICE, September 2004 20070401

These stories from the classroom show us what powerful teaching and learning really looks like. The story-tellers are highly qualified teachers, all of whom have achieved or are candidates for National Board Certification, and their tales have been woven into a compelling and moving narrative by expert teacher, trainer, and NBCT support provider Adrienne Mack-Kirschner. The stories invite us into our nation's classrooms, allowing us to witness essential learning moments in the lives of individual students and offering us examples of teaching and learning activities that are real, student centered, meaningful, and important. Bringing thematic unity to the stories are their links to the Five Core Propositions of accomplished teaching as defined by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. The best of these stories transcend category, reaching all readers who think about and care about accomplished teaching and learning in today's classrooms.