The Entitled Generation: Helping Teachers Teach and Reach the Minds and Hearts of Generation Z

The Entitled Generation: Helping Teachers Teach and Reach the Minds and Hearts of Generation Zbrings teachers into the twenty-first century world of 24-7 technologically-wired up and social media-driven students. This book asks teachers to consider pragmatic and sensible ways to teach Gen Z and to understand the differences between today's students and those of the past. Teachers are offered keen insights by colleagues, in terms of how Gen Z thinks, the various ways that males and females learn, and the distractions and struggles each faces by device addiction affecting today's classrooms. American culture is perpetuating the notion that today's students are entitled to economic and social outcomes on equal bases. Gen Z "feels" everyone should be treated as equals, receiving the same rewards for unequal efforts, thus promoting a feeling of entitlement. Teachers will understand the reality of today's American classrooms. Even with the assumed addiction to smart technology and social media, teachers can use this to their advantage and reach the minds and hearts of Gen Z to prepare them for their futures.

About the Author :
Dr. Ernest J. Zarra, IIIis a life-long educator and has authored six books. He has served as a district professional development leader, authored more than a dozen journal articles, and presented at numerous professional education conferences and community civic and church gatherings.

Review :
As a retired educator, I find teaching Generation Z a daunting task. In helping parents to understand Generation Z, Dr. Zarra provides a detailed analysis of their characteristics. He then proceeds to provide valuable methods to understand and educate Generation Z. This book is a must read for parents, educators and employers who interact with Generation Z. Well done Dr. Zarra!--Richard R. Faller, MA, Retired public high school teacher Dr. Ernest Zarra writes with knowledge and wisdom on the salient matters of educational excellence. As a baby boomer, I've learned things from this book that were not taught to me in college, or by personal experience. This is a valuable read for anyone entering the teaching field, as well as the seasoned professional. Dr. Zarra offers various strategies to more fully engage students in critical thinking and deeper learning in the face of tech-addiction. Zarra effectively deals with the political ramifications of teaching in a culture where "political correctness has joined forces with identity politics, the roaming "Word Police" and where "helicopter and bulldozer parents" are prominent. Dr. Zarra rightly maintains we are shortchanging our Gen Z students by being too soft on them.--Jon Heymann, CEO, Jacksonville Children's Commission, Jacksonville, Florida Dr. Zarra has written a tremendous book that is a great resource for all educators. In the Entitled Generation, he describes the challenges that face both students and educators in today's schools. The challenges are clearly stated, and the reader is shown how to deal with them. All educators will benefit from reading this book, and in turn, so will the students.--Patrick Bottone, retired public high school teacher and coach Dr. Zarra's extensive research has produced both the diagnosis and treatment for the difficulties facing today's public school communities. Contemporary students, whose minds are shaped through the stimulus and content of technology, have specific needs that are not met by many of the classic educational paradigms. The Entitled Generation is not only an invaluable reference for individuals, but would additionally serve as an excellent in-service training curriculum for educators. This volume clearly identifies the specific challenges of Gen Z and gives solid counsel for preparing its members to enter higher education and the workplace.--Ronald J. Woudenberg, president, New York Association of Christian Schools In this well-documented and sobering book, Ernest Zarra examines the staggering challenges of educating America's Generation Z: a generation of students increasingly addicted to technology, disoriented and distracted by social media, consumed and often manipulated in its craving for instant gratification, and taught to believe that its feelings are the prime determinant of truth. Zarra cites disturbing evidence that the developing brains of Generation Z are becoming "hard-wired" in ways detrimental to traditional learning. He unabashedly criticizes those--such as overbearing "bulldozer parents"--who are making matters worse. But there is hope. As an experienced California educator, he offers practical measures that teachers and parents can take to cope with the technology-driven emotionalism, impulsivity, and educational faddism that are ensnaring and threatening to shortchange an entire generation of American youth. Dr. Zarra has written a necessary and provocative book that parents, teachers, and educational administrators should ponder.--George H. Nash, PhD, professional historian, presidential biographer, and author of "The Conservative Intellectual Movement in America Since 1945" The Entitled Generation is a provocative and informative look at Gen Z. Dr. Zarra delivers concrete suggestions for teachers to help Gen Z students learn more efficiently, and to understand the roles of technology and social media in this learning. I found this book extremely helpful as a guide, as it challenges readers with insights that only years of experience can provide.--Susan Giordano, retired public school teacher; teacher mentor