contemplating a brave new classroom
Written by Celeste Kirsh
Considering happiness in school, to some, might be akin to considering the colour scheme in the building or what flavour of juice is served in the cafeteria: a nice idea, but completely superfluous to the point of education. Sure it might be nice to pick the perfect shade of eggplant purple for the walls, but … Continue reading “Book Review: “The Happiness Advantage” by Shawn Achor”
Written by Celeste Kirsh
Whether or not you teach in a school with students who could be labelled as “challenging”, reading Jeffrey Benson’s “Hanging In” will prove to be time well spent, as any teacher can learn from the gut-wrenching and heart-string-plucking stories in this 180 page, 2014 text. This book was my final check mark on my “required summer reading” list … Continue reading ““Hanging In: Strategies For Teaching the Students Who Challenge Us Most” by Jeffrey Benson (a book review)”
Written by Celeste Kirsh
This text was as useful as it was brief. This 104 page manual on supporting character development in schools was a swift, enjoyable read that helped refresh my perspective on teaching and mentoring young people. Truthfully, I might not pick it up off a shelf had it not been on our summer reading list. I … Continue reading ““Breaking Into the Heart of Character” by David Streight (a book review)”
Written by Celeste Kirsh
A slight confession: I wholeheartedly admit that when I saw the book “The Price of Privilege” on our reading list, by Madeline Levine, I was in part hoping for a book that would pick apart the devastating effects of power and affluence in white communities and how this privilege not only affects those people who are oppressed, … Continue reading “The Price of Privilege by Madeline Levine (a book review)”
Written by Celeste Kirsh
I happen to be one of the lucky few who has happened to find herself teaching at a school whose ideologies regularly match her own. I am nurtured and nourished by the idea of reading juicy, provocative, and challenging texts over the summer to push forward my practice as a teacher. I even, dare I … Continue reading ““Quiet” by Susan Cain (a book review)”
