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Unshakeable: 20 Ways to Enjoy Teaching Every Day...No Matter What
Passion cannot be faked. Students can tell when we’re just going through the motions. But how can you summon the energy to teach with passion when there are so many distractions from what really matters? And if you barely have time for taking care of yourself, how can you have anything left to give your students? Don’t wait for teaching to become fun plan for it! Your enthusiasm will become unshakeable as you learn how Create curriculum “bright spots” that you can’t wait to teach Gain energy from kids instead of letting them drain you Uncover meaning and purpose for every single lesson Incorporate playfulness and make real connections with kids Stop letting test scores and evaluations define your success Construct a self-running classroom that frees you to teach Establish healthy, balanced habits for bringing work home Say “no” without guilt and make your “yes” really count Determine what matters most and let go of the rest Innovate and adapt to make teaching an adventure Unshakeable is more than a collection of inspiring mindset shifts and practical, teacher-tested ideas for getting more satisfaction from your job. It’s a set of practices to help you find your inner drive and an intrinsic motivation that no one can take away. It’s an approach that helps you incorporate a love of life into your teaching, and a love of teaching into your life. Learn how to tap into what makes teaching inherently rewarding and enjoy your work every day … no matter what.
276 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 14, 2015
192 people are currently reading
928 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
September 6, 2016
I don't often share reviews beyond a star rating but this book needed one. This was just what I needed to get myself on track for the upcoming school year. Last year was a year of change for me as a teacher and I was very overwhelmed and unbalanced. I am ready to take on the adventure that lays before me this school year, I can't wait!
July 25, 2015
I read this book over the summer as a way to get my joy back in teaching. With so much stress and testing in schools, it is easy to lose track of why teaching is so great. Each of the twenty chapters give a new strategy to try in order to be an "unshakeable" teacher in the classroom. As a "veteran" teacher, some concepts were not new to me, but they served as a good reminder of why an action was important. Watson gives multiple real-life examples of what each strategy looks like in wide ranges of grades and subject areas, so it is easy to see how you can apply the principle to your own classroom; whether you teach 2nd grade, high school science, 8th grade math, or art, you will find an application that work for you.
This is a great book for teachers of all levels and experience. There are also support materials available on the author's website. I participated in Watson's on-line book study of this book over the summer and it was great to connect with other educators who were also reading the book.
I am also reading "Awakened" by Watson. Both are great books that have inspired my teaching.
This is a great book for teachers of all levels and experience. There are also support materials available on the author's website. I participated in Watson's on-line book study of this book over the summer and it was great to connect with other educators who were also reading the book.
I am also reading "Awakened" by Watson. Both are great books that have inspired my teaching.
December 15, 2019
I have taught 27 years and I wish I had read this book when I first started. Watson gives powerful advice for teachers. Teaching is the BEST profession and this book will help you stay true to your calling.
January 9, 2016
For a seasoned teacher of 30 years, this was a good read. It's good to be reminded of things I knew, to learn new things, and to be encouraged in so many ways. Being a teacher is an amazingly difficult job, but it's still an amazing career that matters. I would recommend this book to teachers at any stage of their career. Affirmation, motivation, and practical ideas are all included.
January 10, 2019
There were so many honest stories and great tips and truths in this book! I would have really benefitted from reading this in my first year of teaching, but it was a great read now because I was able to get some new ideas for my classroom, remember some old strategies I’d forgotten, and even reflect on and celebrate things that I have grown to improve now with more experience. I recommend this book to any teacher looking for first-year or early-on advice and even veterans looking to reinvigorate their teaching!
August 14, 2017
Good book for those teachers who have had a rough school year. It gets you thinking about why you became a teacher and the importance of taking care of yourself.
October 6, 2017
Love her perspective and passion for teaching kids, not content. I appreciate her insights regarding handling change, staying fresh, and serving as a teacher.
January 19, 2018
My principal gave me this book a few weeks before winter break and told me to read it if I got the chance. Unlike the Fish! book about improving morale, he wasn't going to make Unshakeable a school-wide book study. However, he'd liked it enough that he'd gone ahead and ordered a copy for every teacher in the building to read (or not read) at their leisure.
Although I am always a bit wary of books about education, I decided to go ahead and commit to reading it. I know it probably sounds odd for a teacher to say she's wary of books about her profession. I mean, shouldn't books about how to improve as a teacher be very important to my growth and development as a teacher?
In my experiences, I've found that they can be at times. But so often educational tomes are written by elementary teachers and while the advice and strategies offered are no doubt wonderful for elementary teachers, they have very little carry over into the secondary world.
I'm glad to say that Unshakeable did a better job of meeting my expectations than many education books do. While a large portion of the advice is definitely geared at elementary teachers, there are some gems in here for secondary teachers as well. Many of those gems I am already incorporating into my teaching, so it's nice to see someone else confirm what I already believe to be best practice. Like Watson I feel it is very important to be genuine with my students. I think they need to see the real me and know that I am not putting on some sort of educational three-ring circus in my class. I use humor and anecdotes about my life to connect to my kids. I respond to their journals and ask questions about their lives and interests and most share them with me. I take the time to get to know at least one important bit of information about every student I teach and that is hard considering I have nearly 150 students this year. But it's important and I think it matters to my students, so I do it.
While I definitely appreciate her enthusiasm and some of her ideas, I do still see a huge elementary influence in this book. One of her early suggestions is to take time to call each parent to introduce yourself as a teacher and mention one positive note about their child. She suggests doing this in the first week or two of school. This is an awesome idea...if you have a class of 20-30 kids. She mentions that it took about an hour of her life and it was worth it. I don't doubt it was. However, there is no conceivable way for me to do this for 150 students, especially since in the first week or two I've only spent a few hours with them and don't know them (or their habits) very well yet.
I think her idea of having family festival nights or of having parents drop by the classroom before school starts is a great one, but again, with 150 students there is no physical way I could host these kind of events. The same is true of her idea to be outside the classroom and greet each student indvidually. This is a great practice and I try to do it as often as possible, however, my classes are 85 minutes long with five minute passing periods. Those passing periods are the only time I get to go to the bathroom, so as much as I'd love to stand outside my room and engage each one of my students, that's not possible. I usually barely make it back to my room before the bell rings.
There is definitely merit in a lot of Watson writes and so much of her book is about having the right attitude while teaching, which is essential to loving the job. I just wish more secondary teachers would write these types of books because the difference between being an elementary teacher and a high school teacher is almost like the difference between being a lawyer and a judge. Yes, our jobs center on the same ideas and basic principles, but our roles and the way we apply those ideas and principles are so very different.
Although I am always a bit wary of books about education, I decided to go ahead and commit to reading it. I know it probably sounds odd for a teacher to say she's wary of books about her profession. I mean, shouldn't books about how to improve as a teacher be very important to my growth and development as a teacher?
In my experiences, I've found that they can be at times. But so often educational tomes are written by elementary teachers and while the advice and strategies offered are no doubt wonderful for elementary teachers, they have very little carry over into the secondary world.
I'm glad to say that Unshakeable did a better job of meeting my expectations than many education books do. While a large portion of the advice is definitely geared at elementary teachers, there are some gems in here for secondary teachers as well. Many of those gems I am already incorporating into my teaching, so it's nice to see someone else confirm what I already believe to be best practice. Like Watson I feel it is very important to be genuine with my students. I think they need to see the real me and know that I am not putting on some sort of educational three-ring circus in my class. I use humor and anecdotes about my life to connect to my kids. I respond to their journals and ask questions about their lives and interests and most share them with me. I take the time to get to know at least one important bit of information about every student I teach and that is hard considering I have nearly 150 students this year. But it's important and I think it matters to my students, so I do it.
While I definitely appreciate her enthusiasm and some of her ideas, I do still see a huge elementary influence in this book. One of her early suggestions is to take time to call each parent to introduce yourself as a teacher and mention one positive note about their child. She suggests doing this in the first week or two of school. This is an awesome idea...if you have a class of 20-30 kids. She mentions that it took about an hour of her life and it was worth it. I don't doubt it was. However, there is no conceivable way for me to do this for 150 students, especially since in the first week or two I've only spent a few hours with them and don't know them (or their habits) very well yet.
I think her idea of having family festival nights or of having parents drop by the classroom before school starts is a great one, but again, with 150 students there is no physical way I could host these kind of events. The same is true of her idea to be outside the classroom and greet each student indvidually. This is a great practice and I try to do it as often as possible, however, my classes are 85 minutes long with five minute passing periods. Those passing periods are the only time I get to go to the bathroom, so as much as I'd love to stand outside my room and engage each one of my students, that's not possible. I usually barely make it back to my room before the bell rings.
There is definitely merit in a lot of Watson writes and so much of her book is about having the right attitude while teaching, which is essential to loving the job. I just wish more secondary teachers would write these types of books because the difference between being an elementary teacher and a high school teacher is almost like the difference between being a lawyer and a judge. Yes, our jobs center on the same ideas and basic principles, but our roles and the way we apply those ideas and principles are so very different.
August 8, 2019
My favorite part :
"Always make it your goal to respond in love. This is not so much about the type of correction but about the intention behind it. Love is something that permeates your heart attitude. ... Your intention shines through in your facial expression and tone. Your students will feel the genuine sense of caring and empathy behind your response, and they will respond in kind."
I am (Teacher)-Librarian and mostly learned to teach by experience, not from my undergraduate program in Library Science. I can feel Ms. Angela Watson's excitement in teaching and thank you so much for the precious tips. I mostly agree with any tips she told us in the book.
Another powerful message to note is: I know my own worth and define success for myself.
"Always make it your goal to respond in love. This is not so much about the type of correction but about the intention behind it. Love is something that permeates your heart attitude. ... Your intention shines through in your facial expression and tone. Your students will feel the genuine sense of caring and empathy behind your response, and they will respond in kind."
I am (Teacher)-Librarian and mostly learned to teach by experience, not from my undergraduate program in Library Science. I can feel Ms. Angela Watson's excitement in teaching and thank you so much for the precious tips. I mostly agree with any tips she told us in the book.
Another powerful message to note is: I know my own worth and define success for myself.
March 20, 2017
So many teachers get so bogged down in the "requirements" of teaching. But Angela really helps you focus on making it fun and enjoyable.
As a first year teacher, I am definitely scared of all that I will have to do. But I also know that my mindset is a growth mindset and I am going to try my very best to implement as many ideas as I can from others in order to make it great. I will always keep getting better!! This is a must read for teachers! (But being in the 40 Hour Teacher Workweek Club is more of a must)
As a first year teacher, I am definitely scared of all that I will have to do. But I also know that my mindset is a growth mindset and I am going to try my very best to implement as many ideas as I can from others in order to make it great. I will always keep getting better!! This is a must read for teachers! (But being in the 40 Hour Teacher Workweek Club is more of a must)
March 30, 2018
As a member of an online book club, I read the first half of Unshakeable throughout the month of March 2017. I rejoined the book club March 2018, and I finished it today. With only a marking period left in the school year, I am quite happy that I read and finished the book before the end of the school year so I can apply some of its best practices in addition to starting next school year with the some of the practices in place.
Whether a beginning, mid-career, or seasoned educator, reading Unshakeable, will inspire one to reflect, dialogue, and engage.
Whether a beginning, mid-career, or seasoned educator, reading Unshakeable, will inspire one to reflect, dialogue, and engage.
July 13, 2018
If you’ve listened to Watson’s podcast even a few times, you’ve probably heard some version of nearly everything in this book. I’m sure the tips are helpful for a lot of teachers, but many seemed pretty basic to me. Additionally, Watson’s teaching experience is in elementary, so while she tries to throw in some secondary examples of how to make her ideas work at the middle or high school level, pretty much everything is really geared toward teachers of younger kids. This book was a gift, and I’m glad I didn’t spend my own money on it. Mildly helpful, but nothing earth shattering.
January 2, 2020
Wow. This was real. I really appreciated this. I reminded myself why I got into teaching. And I love that the field is becoming activist centered and justice oriented, because that is really what our world needs. Teaching is a beautiful profession in a very imperfect system and world. We have to do what we can to make the most out of it, both for our students and for ourselves. We should be happy in what we do, and I strive to be happy and find pockets of happiness every day, even though it is sometimes a challenge. Inspirational read.
December 1, 2017
Overall, this book had some good ideas and uplifting comments. The second half of the book was better than the first. The first half felt very obvious and not worth my time. The second half was better in bringing up new ideas. I also struggled as a secondary teacher reading this because so much was geared towards primary school that I couldn’t use the strategies because they’re far too juvenile for my students.
February 7, 2018
I adore Angela Watson and I listen to her podcast weekly to get ideas and encouragement. Unshakeable, like her weekly podcast, did not disappoint. I found that dipping in and out of the book was super helpful. I plan on using it as a resource when things get hectic and overwhelming during the school year. Her insights and ideas are refreshing and inspiring. This book would be a great read for a new teacher as well as a veteran teacher.
March 8, 2020
I would recommend this book to all of my colleagues. Angela Watson shares truth and encouragement about teaching that is not necessarily new, but is needed and shared in a way that is fresh. I recognized so many of my own negative thoughts about teaching as I read this book - all the things that’ve made me feel burned out this year - but I was able to take tangible action steps away to break the pattern and revitalize my love for teaching.
November 14, 2024
This book is a pep talk for teachers who are struggling with the frustrations inherent in teaching. It's really a pep talk for elementary school teachers with the frustrations inherent in teaching - I think Angela Watson wants her book to be aimed at all teachers, but as a high school teacher, I definitely felt like it wasn't really directed to me. Some of her advice is good, but I don't think this is a book I'll keep in mind more than a few weeks after reading it.
April 5, 2019
What a great book- loved it
from promoting positive school culture and going that extra mile for the kids you love and connect with to their families, with innovative ideas and encouragement to be adventurous.
It's an inspirational book to recharge batteries- recommended for all in the educational field.
from promoting positive school culture and going that extra mile for the kids you love and connect with to their families, with innovative ideas and encouragement to be adventurous.
It's an inspirational book to recharge batteries- recommended for all in the educational field.
March 29, 2018
What I Already Know...
But need to be reminded of. I’ve been a teacher for 21 years and I still got a benefit from reading this book. Love Angela’s emphasis on mindset and attitude, with a healthy dose of realism.
But need to be reminded of. I’ve been a teacher for 21 years and I still got a benefit from reading this book. Love Angela’s emphasis on mindset and attitude, with a healthy dose of realism.
June 3, 2018
A chapter or two of this book a week really helped me through my year. Watson gives very practical advice - choose positivity, get enough sleep, don't live at work- simple, but apt advice from someone who really understands the unique challenges of teaching.
February 24, 2019
I like the author's positive take on teaching and her drive to make us all the best teachers we can be. She includes many strategies I'm already familiar with and use. So, as a veteran teacher, I didn't find any new ideas.
July 5, 2019
Angela Watson makes some really good points in this book that may keep you sane during times of insanity. This book would be perfect for teachers around the 3 year mark. There were a few things I laughed about and perhaps disagreed but for the most part she was spot on.
July 26, 2022
This book is definitely geared more towards elementary level teachers, but even as a veteran high school teacher it still sparked some great ideas for me as I read! Would be an excellent read for new teachers as it contains great strategies for all aspects of teaching.
August 9, 2017
Love this book.. I like all that Angela Watson writes. She writes from the heart, but gets to the unshakeable truth in education... GREAT read for educators!!!
August 27, 2018
Inspirational!
If you want to be revived and begin to love teaching again, read this book! I’m ready to go back to school with bells on!
If you want to be revived and begin to love teaching again, read this book! I’m ready to go back to school with bells on!
April 4, 2019
I made 62 annotations while reading this book! So many great tips for new teachers and reminders for veterans.
August 26, 2019
Outstanding...lots of helpful hints to incorporate into my school year. I felt inspired throughout.
November 27, 2019
This was a good read to get me through the DEVOLSON slump but not overwhelming. I enjoyed it.
January 21, 2020
I was skeptical, but I was impressed!
January 6, 2024
This book is so good for an old veteran teacher's weary soul!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews