You are here

Everything But Teaching
Share

Everything But Teaching
Planning, Paperwork, and Processing

Edited by:

Foreword by Pearl Rock Kane



July 2009 | 128 pages | Corwin
'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

 
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

"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."

Loukea N. Kovanis-Wilson, Chemistry Instructor
Clarkston High School, MI

"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."

Ronald W. Poplau, Author of The Doer of Good Becomes Good

“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.”

Jude A. Huntz, Middle School English Teacher
The Barstow School, Kansas City, MO

“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.”

Kate Kinnan, Sixth-Grade History Teacher
Junction City Middle School, KS

"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."

Edward Hallowell, Consultant
The Hallowell Center

"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."

Patrick F. Bassett, President
National Association of Independent Schools

"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."

Robert Evans, Director
The Human Relations Service

"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!"

Christina Gordon, Educator
Durban Avenue School, Hopatcong, NJ

Sample Materials & Chapters

Preface

Chapter 1


For instructors

This book is not available as an inspection copy. For more information contact your local sales representative.

Purchasing options

Please select a format:

ISBN: 9781412967075
£24.99