About the Book
'I wish I'd had this book forty years ago when I first started teaching. Everything But Teaching, with its moving anecdotes, pragmatic examples, and incisive observations, is the teacher's version of the Boy Scout Handbook-the ideal guide for teaching purposely without getting lost or sidetracked. It is perfect for new teacher orientation and veteran teachers' -Patrick F. Bassett, President , National Association of Independent Schools
'Stephen Valentine knows teaching through and through. Here he packs a huge message into a short space. I urge anyone who cares about schools, students, learning, or teaching to read this gem of a book' -Edward Hallowell, Consultant
The Hallowell Center
Every teacher knows that what happens before and after class is as important as what happens during class. This accessible resource gives all teachers indispensable tips for managing professional priorities outside the classroom and saving energy for the most essential part of their work: teaching students.
Real-life vignettes, planning sheets, and other templates, illustrate how to master the multitasking demands of the teaching life, including:
- Planning time wisely
- Tailoring grading practices to provide clear feedback
- Holding productive meetings with students, parents, or colleagues
- Keeping and using records effectively
- Corresponding with grace, tact, and detail
- Processing information and refining procedures
- Embracing new professional learning opportunities
Table of Contents:
Foreword by Pearl Rock Kane
Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Introduction: School Time Versus Classroom Time
1. Imperative 1: Plan Your Time Wisely
Your Calendar
Your Dynamic Calendar
Your Goals and How to Accomplish Them
Now You Can Relax
2. Imperative 2: Tailor Your Grading to Suit the Needs of Your Students
Three Cautionary Tales
A Few Final Words
3. Imperative 3: Hold Great Meetings Founded on Authentic Commitment
Why Meet?
Student Meetings (Part 1)
The Systematic Approach
Student Meetings (Part 2)
Parent Meetings
Meetings Led by Others
Distractions During Meetings
4. Imperative 4: Use Records to Generate Learning Opportunities
The Evergreen System
How to Store and Use Records
When to Purge Records
Record Keeping and Deliberate Choice
5. Imperative 5: Correspond With Grace, Tact, and Detail
The First Principle of Teacher Correspondence: Be Supportive and Graceful
The Second Principle of Teacher Correspondence: Get Specific
Correspond With Colleagues
When to Stop Writing
6. Imperative 6: Process or Perish
What Is Processing?
When and How to Process?
7. Imperative 7: Become a Radical Learner
Learning From Mentors and Collaboration
Learning at Retreats
Learning From Meetings Outside of the School
Learning From New School Responsibilities
Learning by Leading Groups and School Activities
Learning From New Experiences
8. Conclusion: Enjoy Your Balanced Professional Life
References
Index
About the Author :
A teacher since 1999, Stephen J. Valentine is currently the Assistant Head of the Upper School at Montclair Kimberley Academy in New Jersey. Valentine oversees curriculum, supervises a team of Department chairs, and advises students while he teaches a variety of English courses. Valentine has recently published educational articles in Independent School and Independent Teacher magazines, and his poetry has been previously published in Hotel Amerika, Broken Bridge Review, and the anthology Red White and Blues: Poets on the Promise of America (2004, University of Iowa Press). His first documentary film, Somebody Loves Me: The Life and Music of Prentis Richardson, won Best Documentary at the Nolita Film Festival in New York City and a Director’s Choice award at the Park City Film Music Festival. Stephen’s educational honors include: a summer Klingenstein Fellowship and a finalist award in Education and Technology magazine’s “Ed Tech Leader of the Year” contest.
Review :
"The most compelling line in the book is ′I teach kids,′ not books or concepts. Regardless of the subject, we all teach kids, and sometimes we can lose sight of that. The book focuses on how to not let extrinsic factors get in the way of our goal."
"This topic is of vital interest to beginning teachers. The use of time, the demands of time, the changing nature of teaching, the explosion of knowledge, technology: all will be growing in the coming years."
“Teachers who know how valuable their time is will love this book. Managing these duties will lead to a more successful classroom not only for the teacher, but also for the students.”
“This book makes an incredible contribution to the field. It helps readers not only gain insights and resources into how to be better teachers, but also encourages us because we wear so many hats.”
"Once in a while, you read a book that absolutely nails it. Stephen Valentine knows teaching through and through. He is filled with a passion for his field. Here he packs into a short space a huge message. I urge anyone who cares about schools, students, learning, or teaching to read this gem of a book."
"I wish I had had Stephen Valentine’s wisdom, or at least his book, forty years ago when I first started teaching. With moving anecdotes, pragmatic examples, and incisive observations, this is the teacher’s version of the Boy Scout Handbook, the guide you need to march through the forest of teaching purposefully, without getting lost or sidetracked. Valentine demonstrates that routine but necessary tasks outside of the classroom (meetings, conferences, planning, professional development, record-keeping, grading, etc.) can not only be well-managed but actually contribute to a teacher′s effectiveness."
"A practical, plain-spoken primer full of concrete advice for harried, hurried teachers. Stephen Valentine offers down-to-earth prescriptions to help teachers focus their energies, refresh their skills, and renew their commitment."
"A refreshing insight into modern day and future education that provides a practical outlook for the teachers who hope to keep pace with education′s ever-changing scenario. Valentine suggests practices that save time and promote organization so that we may indeed teach!"
