This isn't your average teaching book. With a fun, comic-book-inspired layout, Teaching Is for Superheroes! skips the information overload and gives you practical action steps for igniting enthusiasm in your K-12 classroom and achieving your professional goals. Now more than ever, teachers are in high demand—yet the threat of burnout still looms large. This book will help you keep the spark alive, engaging you in a deeper examination of education by way of entertaining superhero archetypes and tropes. What’s your teaching origin story? Your secret identity? Your powers, weaknesses, nemeses? The teachers-as-superheroes metaphor provides a rich venue through which you can thoughtfully analyze your purpose and pedagogy.
This high quality, eye-catching book offers you an inspirational springboard for practical insight and application in the classroom. You’ll gain ideas for surviving your first year, navigating social media as a teacher, interacting productively with colleagues and parents, using tech in the classroom, prioritizing self-care, harnessing your teacher “superpowers,” and even dressing for teaching success. The school setting may not be as glamorous as the futurist skyscrapers, alien planets, or alternate universes we see in movies and comics, but the adventure is just as exciting—and best of all, it’s real!
- Gain teaching insights, tips, and advice in an entertaining, superhero-inspired format
- Identify your teaching superpowers and weaknesses, and learn to lean on others when needed
- Explore the “universe” of teaching to understand where you fit in and how you can leave your legacy
- Equip yourself with the gadgets and gizmos you need to sharpen your skills and power up your classroom
Current and future K-12 educators—pick up Teaching Is for Superheroes!, put on your cape, and start saving the world, one class at a time.
Table of Contents:
Foreword xiii
Acknowledgments xv
About the Author xvii
Introduction 1
Teachers Are Superheroes 2
Questions for Reflection and Discussion 3
References 4
01 Origin Stories 5
Tales of Passion! 5
My Tragic Backstory 6
Happier Thoughts 7
Catchy Catchphrases and Super Slogans 8
Finding Purpose 11
Born or Made? 14
Year One 15
To Be Continued! 17
Further Reading 17
Further Viewing 17
Questions for Reflection and Discussion 17
References 18
02 Secret Identities 21
Q&A FYI (No TMI) 22
The Best at What I Do Forget 23
What’s in a Name? 25
That’s Mister Fantastic to You 26
They Know Where You Live! 28
Dial H for Hero Help 28
I Am Teacher Man! 31
Hero vs. Civilian 32
Buffers for Blurred Boundaries 33
To Be Continued! 34
Further Reading 34
Further Viewing 34
Questions for Reflection and Discussion 35
References 35
03 Costumes and Colors 39
Fashion Tip #1: Functionality 40
Fashion Tip #2: Simplicity 40
Wardrobe Malfunctions 41
Complementary Colors— Primary Heroes, Secondary Villains 42
Colors in the Classroom 44
What (Not) to Wear? 46
Quick Changes or Gradual Transformations 48
Timeless or Trendy 49
Dress Codes for Students and Teachers 50
To Be Continued! 53
Further Reading 53
Further Viewing 53
Questions for Reflection and Discussion 53
References 54
04 Living and Learning in Your Universe 59
Keeping It Real 60
Classrooms of SIN! 62
Natural Light and Life 63
Musical Chairs (and Desks) 64
Declarative Decorations 66
You Are the Real Clock King 66
Where Is Your Hideout? 67
Putting a Personal Touch on Personal Space 69
Be True to Your School(s) 70
Meanwhile, at the Hall of Justice 71
A Secret Sanctum Sanctorum 72
To Be Continued! 74
Further Reading 74
Further Viewing 74
Questions for Reflection and Discussion 75
References 76
05 Strengths and Superpowers 79
Man Without Fear and With- It Teachers 79
Fantastic Teaching Powers 81
Mr. Fantastic (Reed Richards) 81
Human Torch (Johnny Storm) 82
Invisible Woman (Susan Storm- Richards) 83
The Thing (Ben Grimm) 85
Earthbound (and Effective) Teacher Powers 86
Content Knowledge (CK) 87
Pedagogical Knowledge (PK) 87
Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK) 88
Research- Aligned Framework for Teaching (RAFT) 90
Weird Superpowers 92
To Be Continued! 93
Further Reading 93
Further Viewing 94
Questions for Reflection and Discussion 94
References 95
06 Gadgets and Gizmos 101
What’s in Your Utility Belt? 101
Meaningful Materials 102
Technology: Vision or Ultron? 105
Magic Bullets, Quick Fixes, Power Rings, and Ultimate Nullifiers 106
The Ultimate Educational Tool 106
Questioning 107
Responding 108
Conveying Nonverbal Behaviors 109
Listening and Noticing 110
Waiting and Thinking 110
Utility and Synergy 111
Sharpen the Saw (and Your Skills) 112
To Be Continued! 113
Further Reading 113
Further Viewing 113
Questions for Reflection and Discussion 114
References 114
07 Vulnerabilities 119
What Color Is Your Kryptonite? 119
Green Kryptonite: Weakness 119
How to Answer the Interview Question “What Is Your Greatest Weakness?” 124
Red Kryptonite: Unpredictability 125
Gold Kryptonite: Permanent Powerlessness 126
White Kryptonite: Kills All Plant Life 127
Feet of Clay 128
Kindness Is Not a Weakness 129
To Be Continued! 130
Further Reading 130
Further Viewing 130
Questions for Reflection and Discussion 130
References 131
08 Archenemies 133
Not the Enemy #1: Students 134
Not the Enemy #2: Parents 136
Absent Parents 138
Helicopter Parents 139
Not the Enemy #3: Other Teachers 140
Not the Enemy #4: Administration 142
So, Who Is the Enemy? 143
Check Yourself! 145
Avoid Villainous Traps (and Labels) 146
To Be Continued! 147
Further Reading 147
Further Viewing 147
Questions for Reflection and Discussion 148
References 149
09 Teammates 153
Iron Sharpens Iron (Man) 154
Isolation to Collaboration 155
Get to Know Your Teammates (and Yourself) 157
The Leader 157
The Brain 158
The Brawn 158
The Techie 159
The Sneaker 159
The Speedster 160
The Jokester 161
The Rebel 161
The Loner 162
Complex Characters 163
Get Together (and Get Along) 165
Teamwork Tactic #1: Lesson Study 166
Teamwork Tactic #2: Curriculum Integration 167
Educators Assemble! 168
To Be Continued! 170
Further Reading 170
Further Viewing 170
Questions for Reflection and Discussion 171
References 172
10 Sidekicks and Mentors 177
A Dynamic Duo 178
Sidekick Role #1: Point of Identification (and Accountability) 179
Sidekick Role #2: Source of Humor and Emotional Expression 180
Sidekick Role #3: Loyal Partner and Family Member 182
Teaching (and Learning) with a Sidekick 183
Early and Engaged 184
Introductions and Orientations 185
Classroom Cooperation 188
A Delicate Dynamic 191
Find Your Batman 193
Sidekick Paragons 195
To Be Continued! 196
Further Reading 196
Further Viewing 196
Questions for Reflection and Discussion 196
References 198
11 Legacy Heroes 201
Touching the Future 202
Honoring Your Heroes 203
Influential Teachers and the “Super Seven” 205
Leaving a Legacy 206
To Be Continued! 207
Further Reading 207
Further Viewing 207
Questions for Reflection and Discussion 208
References 208
Index 209
About the Author :
DANIEL J. BERGMAN, PhD, is a Professor and Program Chair of Science Education at Wichita State University in Wichita, Kansas. Like Superman, he considers the Sunflower State his adoptive home. Unlike Superman, Dr. Bergman cannot leap tall buildings in a single bound.
Dr. Bergman previously taught middle and high school science in Nebraska and Iowa, and currently works with students and teachers from kindergarten to graduate school and every grade in between. As a fan of science, teaching, and superheroes, he is the ultimate SuperNerd. He writes about these passions at www.teachlikeasuperhero.blog and elsewhere.
