Teacherpreneurs: Innovative Teachers Who Lead But Don't Leave

by Barnett Berry, Ann Byrd, Alan Wieder

We need a bold new brand of teacher leadership that will create opportunities for teachers to practice, share, and grow their knowledge and expertise.

This book is about "teacherpreneurs"―highly accomplished classroom teachers who blur the lines of distinction between those who teach in schools and those who lead them. These teacherpreneurs embody the concept that teachers can teach as well as lead the transformation of teaching and learning. It’s about empowering expert teachers who can buoy the image of teaching and enforce standards among their ranks while all along making sure that their colleagues as well as education policymakers and the public know what works best for students. The book follows a small group of teacherpreneurs in their first year. We join their journey toward becoming teacher leaders whose work is not defined by administrative fiat, but by their knowledge of students and drive to influence policies that allow them and their colleagues to teach more effectively. The authors trace the teacherpreneurs' steps―and their own―in the effort to determine what it means to define and execute the concept of "teacherpreneurism" in the face of tough demands and resistant organizational structures.

Genres: Education, Teaching, Leadership

272 pages, Paperback

Published August 12, 2013

Reviews

[akaBreeee · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you care about education and what it will take to advance our system to meet the needs of our students and teachers, you will want to read this book. Teacherpreneurs outlines what it will take to build a true profession around the people who are directly responsible for the education of our students: teachers. What if teachers were directly involved in crafting legislation around educational funding? What if teachers' talent and ideas were being tapped and systematically spread to other schools, districts, and classrooms? What if teachers directly writing the policy around teacher accountability? What if instead if isolating and diminishing teachers we expected, asked, and rewarded them for leading by using their own ideas, experience, and passions? How can we change the system to encourage this? Teacherpreneurs.

Here are some great quotes from the book to get you itching to download, order, and peel back the cover:
"We created a system that is used to making photographs, and we are shocked we aren’t spitting out iPods.”
“I will tell you there are lots and lots of teachers who can lead the way I do, but not if we don’t create a system to do so.”
"As defined by Israeli activist and writer Michael Warschawski, borders are based on “power and prohibitions.”
"When it comes to leading school reform, teachers are an afterthought."
"The role of the teacherpreneur creates tension between the top-down approach of today’s reforms and the closed classroom door of the isolated teacher of the past. Somewhere between these two extremes lies the opportunity to fully tap the potential of teacherpreneurs’ expertise and leadership capacity so that they can help lead the way. As Roland Barth suggested a few years ago in a panel discussion at Harvard, our public schools need to 'unlock the tremendous overabundance of underutilized talent that gets left in the parking lot every day.'"

[Jen White · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF’d this book. Read just enough to be able to
Complete my coursework, which is unlike me It’s not at all appropriate for the current era of burnout in teaching.

[Alexandra Coutlée · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alrhough a bit on the heavy side from time to time, this book offers a lot of interesting thoughts and resources. It is probably much more relavant for US teachers but it have me an insight into the US public education system as well as some interesting facs about the Finnish system. Some if the books recommended are already on my wish list.

[R Zavala · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad but far from a fave. Required reading in grad school isn't always so riveting or real.

[Steven Kolber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting and ground breaking ideas for the time. Much to learn from the teachers showcased and ideas to reflect upon.

[Ja · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great collaboration-cenered book about what it means to not only be a teacher, but a teacher leader.

I started this book nearly a year ago, but stopped because, as a teacher, I just got way overwhelmed. I didn't have it in me to really be reading about what more I could be doing as a teacher when I was already just trying to keep my head above water. But thank goodness for the summer, because I finally picked this book back up and finished it with gusto.

I finished this book feeling reenergized about the profession and about what I can do to improve myself, my school, and my students' learning. I found a lot of the stories interesting, and actually had some ideas beginning to percolate in my mind as I was reading, which I want to get into action once I get back.

I recommend this book for any teacher who's looking to find more ways to be innovative and looking for leadership ideas.

[Aruna Kumar Gadepalli · Rating 5 out of 5]

The concept of teacherpreneurs sounds interesting isn't it. Before picking up the book, I happened to get to see the publisher website for the new arrivals and ordered the book. This book is based on the new breed of teachers. The book consists of chapters related to the the concept of teacherpreurs and various case studies of the teacherpreneurs and the final chapter deals with the Finnish education system. For each chapter various useful resources are given including the activities that one can take up to enhance their levels. I am sure this book helps the educators in looking forward to take up the teaching profession to a higher level.

[Catherine Theriault · Rating 4 out of 5]

Features teachers who are committed to raising the bar in our profession by challenging those who define our standards of practice. These days, individuals who are far removed from the classroom, and who know little of the reality of effective teaching, are keeping teachers at the bottom of the educational hierarchy. Teacherpreneurs aim to reshape our image by moving us from "semi-profession" status to bona fide professionals.

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh, it was OK. I was part promotion for their program and part how-to-become an teacherpreneur with the second part being less than successful. I didn't take much away.