Description
Book SynopsisEmpowering Excellence inspires a revolution in teaching and assessment practices. These methods of teaching and grading represent a major step ahead in how teachers assess and interact with students. Empowering Excellence presents 12 significant shifts that encourage motivation, build confidence, and measure what students know and are able to do based on the Common Core State Standards or equivalent standards in a highly supportive, student-centered environment.Teachers, administrators, and education professors will find ideas that will transform classrooms into places where students are filled with confidence and empowered to strive for excellence.
Trade ReviewIt’s no surprise to those teaching America’s students that public education is in an era of intense change, including dramatic changes to teacher evaluation and the implementation of the Common Core State Standards. Jeff Halstead, a practicing and accomplished educator, brings to life shifts that have the power to transform student learning. Empowering Excellence can be a great resource to guide Professional Learning Community (PLC), department, grade-level and other instructional teams to give structure and meaning to today’s emerging education environment. -- James Meadows, Ph.D., Center for Organizing, National Education Association
Empowering Excellence is brimming with accessible, real-world ideas to help teachers demystify classroom-based assessment and empower students to take charge of their academic progress. Arranged as shifts, Halstead provides tips and techniques for implementing a standards-based approach to instruction and assessment that values learning over grading, relationships over traditional power structures, and student data as means for self-assessing teacher effectiveness as well as student mastery. -- Debbie Tully, associate dean for teacher education, School of Education, Whitworth University
The 21st Century has ushered in dramatic changes in teaching and learning. Empowering Excellence meets those challenges and offers strategies to leverage learning and improve teaching. Jeff Halstead provides accessible, do-it-now ‘shifts’ that can transform the classroom. Drawn from his years as a teacher and coach, Halstead speaks from the heart to other educators ready for change. -- Cindy McMahon, Ph.D., principal, The Community School, Spokane Public Schools
Jeff Halstead has captured the essence of teaching by bringing the student, teacher, content, and assessment together in a manner that creates clarity and growth in students. Empowering Excellence provides strategies for any teacher wishing to increase their students’ confidence and understanding by making grading and reporting an integral part of the student-teacher-learning relationship. -- Rick Biggerstaff, coordinator for mathematics concurrent enrollment program, Eastern Washington University
In Empowering Excellence, Jeff Halstead provides a comprehensive array of practical strategies designed to help every teacher create a classroom that will maximize student learning and encourage students to strive for excellence. Filled with ideas to create a positive and hopeful learning environment, Halstead’s book empowers teachers to engage students in higher-level learning activities that create optimism and inspire success. -- Susie Gerard, National Board Certified teacher, History-Social Studies
Author Jeff Halstead details 12 changes teachers can make to motivate students, build their confidence and measure what they know when the Common Core State Standards or equivalent standards have been implemented. These 'shifts' include making grading meaningful, communicating progress clearly and celebrating success. Teachers, administrators and education professors will find ideas that can transform classrooms into places where students have the confidence to strive for excellence. * District Administration *
Table of ContentsPreface Introduction Shift 1: Make a Great First Impression Shift 2: Teach with Passion Shift 3: Build Optimism and Growth Mindsets Shift 4: Make Grading Meaningful Shift 5: Build a System of Student Support Shift 6: Grade by Mining Student Data Shift 7: Assess Work Ethic Separately Shift 8: Communicate Progress Clearly Shift 9: Channel the Desire for Improvement Shift 10: Reflect, Revise and Differentiate Shift 11: Apply Formative Feedback Liberally Shift 12: Celebrate Success Closing About the Author Index
