Relevant Reading List #3

The Brain and Learning

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A unique occupation like teaching requires unconventional preparation.  The Relevant Reading Lists are a series of books that when read together convey a similar message imperative to teaching.  The books listed are not included in typical teacher preparation programs. The Pragmatic TV Teacher feels they should be.  Reading these will make you a better educator.

Neuroeduction is an emerging field that combines educational psychology and cognitive science.  Research concerns itself with HOW the brain learns.  The Blank Slate, The Brain That Changes Itself, and Brain Rules are three resources to start you on your neuroeduation path.

These are three of the most important books I have ever read.

 Interested in others? Try Mariale Hardiman, Eric Jensen  or Howard Gardner. (I have not read all of the resources by each author)

Happiness=Success Part 2: Five ways to make your young teachers happy

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Exceptional young teachers are powerful educators.  They are ripe with genuine enthusiasm and primed to be innovative.  As leaders, we need to retain them.  An unrecognized, and seemingly obvious, factor that causes teachers to leave is their psychological well-being.  They feel unsuccessful.

The Pragmatic TV Teacher described Shawn Achor's views on happiness and its relation to success: happiness first, success second.  To keep young teachers, we need to focus on their happiness so they feel successful.  How do we make them (or anyone) happy?

Again we turn to the Happiness Advantage for help.

1. Encourage and Recognize
"I already do that!" you just yelled at the screen "Each month at our faculty meeting I tell the group that they are doing a GREAT job!"

Encourage young teachers personally.  Specifically address one of their concerns.  Deliberately recognize them for something and be sincere with your body language.  Being recognized is an under-utilized motivational tactic.  A quick comment of recognition makes your subordinate happy.

Happiness = Success: Retaining Young Teachers part 1

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Teacher dropout is attributed to a variety of things: low pay, stressful conditions, teacher mandates, and lack of support are often mentioned.

An overlooked cause of burnout is the psychological well-being of young teachers.  In other words, exceptional teachers leave because they are unhappy.

(More on how to recognize and retain young teachers here.)

Penguins and the Broaden-and-Build Theory

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EVERY EDUCATOR NEEDS TO READ THIS (at least the abstract).

Like yourself, I jumped from my seat after reading the paper.  To be honest, I erupted out of the chair and to calm myself down did several laps around my classroom.

I was absolutely enraged- positively furious.

Where has this been all my life? Where was this in graduate school?  I'm trying to convince you to read it if you haven't yet- it is that important.

How to Teach Like a TED Talk

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 TED talks are social contagions.  Compelling, awe-inspiring, and unbelievable, TED presenters are super-heroes.  They are rock stars on the academic stage and captivate audiences.  The TED presenters have five characteristics that make them glow.  It would benefit teachers to adopt them.

Emotions, Facebook, and Students

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The most shared scientific paper of 2014 was a massive study using Facebook.  I do not have Facebook so reviewing the research was both alarming and educational.  (I’m often asked how I find the time to read so much- I don’t spend time on Facebook)

The study looked at emotional contagions.  An emotional contagion is a vector that transports an emotion from one individual to another.  When you are around a person that is happy, you become happy.

The connection between online networks and emotional contagions has recently received attention.  This study is a step in that direction.

The newsfeed on your Facebook page shows SELECTED updates from your buddies.  Facebook uses an algorithm to decide what to show on your newsfeed.  In other words, you do not see everything that gets posted on your friends pages.  The algorithm is designed to show you the most relevant updates from your buddies.

How to Address 3 Common Senior Comments

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January 1^st indicates a chance to start fresh and many of us attempt to tackle unrealistic and absolutely unobtainable goals.  For me, it represents the end of letter of recommendation season.

I’m honored to write a letter.  What better way to exercise your purpose as a teacher than helping someone continue their education.  I also enjoy writing letters because it is challenging; I’m forced to be creative.

Along with letters of recommendation, those of us that teach seniors see the first third of the year as “I’m freaking out because everybody says I need a plan for college and life—I don’t know what to do!”

Seniors are justified in their feelings.  The pressure to succeed is often overwhelming.

 I’ve developed a reputation in my school as the guy who can calm a senior down.  Many of the conversations are with students who were advised to chat with me by their friends.  “Mr. R, Jennifer S is my friend.  She said you can help me with next year.”

I’d like to share how I deal with three frequent comments in this type of conversation.