Empowered

by Nathan Cureton

A smattering of smoky remnants is all that remains of the once promising fire of success in the classrooms of East Crossroads Middle School. The teachers, each having entered the profession with blazing ambition, now struggle to protect their feeble flames from the billows of student indifference and waning motivation.

Within days of unpacking, Mrs. Kris Able, expert teacher turned school guidance counselor, is unintentionally thrown into the ashes of the mess. With wisdom and experience, Kris skillfully leads the smoldering teachers of East Crossroads on individual reflective journeys in classroom culture creation. From the burst bubble of a naively enthusiastic first year teacher to the authoritarian habits of an old, burnt-out science grump, from the too-cool-for-school football coach turned history teacher to the haughty theatrics of a straight-arrow doctor of mathematics, Counselor Kris instigates change, little by little, by teaching her colleagues four empowering principles of creating a classroom culture of success.

Empowered succinctly outlines universal guiding principles of creating a classroom culture of student success and then applies each in a vivid and entertaining narrative, complete with characters and scenarios teachers experience daily in their own schools. With identifiable characters, applicable lessons, and an enjoyable plot, Empowered’s beautiful blend of tips and tales is informative, entertaining and motivating.

Warm your hands and your heart by the swelling fire of Kris and her blossoming colleagues as they learn to create a classroom culture of student success.

218 pages, Paperback

First published August 27, 2014

Reviews

[Becky S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this witty and clever way to present the most practical ways to teach in a class. Read like a novel yet instructive and reflective for me. Every teacher should read this and help children thrive in the classroom!

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book as a teacher. I have been in the shoes of the teachers in this book, and I relate very well. The principles work. I wish I had read this my first year teaching. It is an easy read that is still very insightful.

[Kara Cureton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is my favorite, but the author is more my favorite! He is the best!! (He is my English teacher) I love this book and this author! (He is also my dad!) Read this book!!! (Good job on your book dad!!)

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Teachers, you need to read this book! Though it's written about the faculty and students in a middle school, I found it imminently relatable to my experience as an elementary school teacher. The author is a former administrator, now returned to teaching full time. I heard him speak at a teachers conference and found him well-spoken and consistent with the principles espoused in his book.

[Cathryn Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed seeing the theory demonstrated through the characters. Saw bits of myself in each of them! The Cliff Notes are helpful reminders for me as I work to further develop my own classroom culture. Definitely recommend this for all who teach.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The principles in this book are wonderful - easy to understand, and general enough to be widely applicable. The stories used to illustrate the ideas... were difficult to get through, but instructive if you can get past the flowery, sappy language. I will be implementing these principles in my own classroom!