Description
Book SynopsisThis book centers on the fact that needed improvements in our schools will not occur unless education is able to attract and retain great teachers in the school's classrooms. Teachers with The Magic is directed to administrative leaders as well as those individuals that are seeking ways to become better teachers. Great teachers themselves will be inspired by the book's discussion of what great teachers do the classroom to engage students in learning.
Trade ReviewWithout question, I would recommend this book to any teacher - novice, seasoned, or retired - as it is a font of inspiration. -- Antonia Allegra, professional career and writing coach
Our nations schools are built on the foundation of great teachers. M. Scott Norton has captured and 'desconstructed' the "magic" that distinguishes great teaching while providing educational practitioners copious examples using case studies filled with challenging questions for collaborative dialog. This book affords the reader clear, precise, and coherent models and exemplars of critical attributes that truly separate the good, great, and magical educators! -- Mike Andersen, EdD, principal, Barry Goldwater High School, Phoenix, Arizona
This book is an absolute must read for any teacher or administrator that wants to be remembered as a “great teacher.” In his book, Norton discusses the characteristics of a great teacher in ways which are easily understood and readily applicable. His use of personal quizzes, individual inventories, self-check lists, and case studies give the reader valuable tools to use to achieve greatness. Throughout Teachers with the Magic, the reader gets a “sense of the intangibles” that enable the great teachers to connect with their students. The book contains an abundance of references / sources for the reader who may wish to dig deeper into a particular characteristic, technique, or style. Emphasis is placed on how great teachers engage students in learning. There is no greater label than “he or she was a great teacher.” This book gives the reader the inspiration and insight into how to achieve that recognition. -- Larry K. Kelly, Ed.D., author, educator, international consultant
Table of ContentsChapter 1 Look! Now There’s a Great Teacher Great Teachers—What Do They Look Like? Establishing Our Purposes and Focus of the Book GCT Quiz—Characteristics of Great Teachers Responses to Each of the Fifteen Quiz Questions Studies Related to Effective Teachers What About the Characteristic of Enthusiasm? A Look at Other Effective Teacher “Research Studies” A Composite of Affective and Cognitive Characteristics of Great Teachers High Quality Teachers and Their Effect on Student Achievement Gains: What Do We Really Know? Some Answers Might Be Closer Than You Think Our Teacher Assessment and Evaluation Processes Need Overhauling An Application Form for Effective Teaching Positions Snapshot #1-A Change of Pace Summary Discussion Questions Case Studies References Chapter 2—What We Can Do to Select and Retain Great Teachers Facing the Existing Problems That Inhibit the Recruitment and Selection of High Quality Personnel Recruitment of Personnel: What You Should Know Before Initiating the Process Snapshot #1-All the Teacher Colleges in the World Can’t Make a Teacher Who Isn’t One Research Evidence for Cognitive Characteristics Recruiting and Selecting High Quality Teachers Giving Priority to Those Student Graduates from Quality Institutions and Holding Majors in Their Subject Areas, Licensure and Certification The Personal Interview: Where the Rubber Meets the Road Structuring a Candidate Interview for a Mathematics Teacher at Wymore Middle School: Focusing on Great Teacher Characteristics An Interview Analysis Snapshot #2-Caring, Compassion, Knowledge, Courage, Persistence Summary Discussion Questions Case Studies References Chapter 3---Great Teachers Can Influence the Success of All Teachers How the Talents of a Highly Qualified Teacher Are Applied in the Classroom Putting the Qualities of Great Teachers to Work Assigning Your Highly Qualified Teacher as Mentors for New Personnel Helping the New Teacher Implement His or Her Professional Development Plan (PDP) Snapshot #1—Insights of a Great Teacher: Antonia Antegra The Implementation of Employee Assistant Programs for Troubled Workers How the Highly Effective Teacher Can Help the Marginal Teacher The Tragedy That We Face: The Loss of the School’s Great Teachers Why Great Teachers Leave the Profession Recommendations Related to Capitalizing on the Talents of Great Teachers Education for All—We Can’t Afford Not to Afford It Closing With a Few Best Practices for Retaining Best Teachers Summary Discussion Questions Case Studies References Chapter 4 The Great Teacher at Work: Magic in the Classroom A Look at What Great Teachers Do A Competency-Based Great Teachers Assessment Resource The Benefits of a Good Story True or False? MAGT Quiz The Evidence for Each of the Great Teacher MAGT Questions Selected Teaching Strategies Used by Great Teachers in the Classroom Preparation for Teaching Teacher Student Relationships Student Engagement: An Absolute Necessity A Great Teacher Looks in the Mirror Post Script Teacher Services: What Great Teachers Say Snapshot #1 A Great Teacher Steps “Out of Bounds” Summary Discussion Questions Case Studies References Chapter 5 Much Ado About Great Teaching: How Great Teachers Promote Student Learning Teachers Teach Subjects, Great Teachers Teach Students The Story of Richard: Great Teachers are Student Advocates The Classroom of Great Teachers A Look at What Great Teachers Say They Do An Example of the Importance of Learning About Art The Gold Quiz How to Engage Students in Social Studies Instruction Great Teachers are Quick to Call Time Out Time Out Quiz Great Teachers Work Closely With Parents Snapshot #1—Parental Support Makes a Difference Competency-Based Performance for a Great Teacher Summary Discussion Questions Case Studies References
