Be REAL: Educate from the Heart

by Tara Martin

Be REAL! Technological advances are rapidly changing the way we work and learn. Artificial intelligence is even replacing employees in some industries. In education, the latest technology supports learning by providing extraordinary opportunities, but artificial intelligence will never replace the life that REAL educators bring to our schools. REAL educators are relatable, they expose vulnerability by sharing their experiences, they are approachable, and they learn through life. In Be REAL, BookSnaps creator, Tara Martin, encourages you to share your unique talents and passions as an educator. Through her personal and engaging stories, you’ll learn the power of being true to yourself and find the courage to “cannonball” into the adventures life offers. Make REAL connections with your students and staff and dare to make a difference. “This book is like a coffee shop heart-to-heart meet-up with the mentor teacher we've always wanted.” —Matt Miller, educator, speaker, and author of Ditch That Textbook “Tara shares life-changing tips to ensure you not only light up the heart of a child but become the teacher you set out to be!” —LaVonna Roth, creator and founder of Ignite Your S.H.I.N.E.® “Tara Martin reminds us through authentic stories why relationships are so crucial to learning and provides practical suggestions to build on those relationships within your school, even when it seems hard to do.” —George Couros, author of The Innovator's Mindset “Be REAL is a book that I wish I’d had from my first day in the classroom. Tara Martin does a brilliant job showing us how to educate from the heart.” —Beth Houf, proud principal and coauthor of Lead Like a PIRATE

Genres: Teaching, Education

264 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 17, 2018

About the author

Tara Martin is an enthusiastic educator, speaker, and author of Be REAL: Educate from the Heart. Tara thrives on change and refuses to settle for the status quo. She has served as a classroom teacher, and instructional coach, a district administrator, and the director of media and communications for Dave Burgess Consulting, Inc. As the founder of #BookSnaps, she is always seeking unique ways to make learning fun, relevant, and meaningful.

Tara's ambition is to lead a culture of innovative change and encourage others to Cannonball In and fulfill their true potential-- professionally and personally.

Tara is a mom and wife who lives on a Kansas farm with no animals. She loves writing, shopping, ice cream, art museums, flexing, giggling, and traveling. She is a dreamer and is always Cannonballing In on her ideas and ambitions.

Reviews

[Pam Hubler · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my top 5 favorite EDU books of all time! This book is amazing! It's perfect for coaches, administrators, and anyone who considers themselves a leader in education.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another absolutely must-be-read book for all in education

[Heather Stringham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Need to know how to connect in education. Then please read this book. It gives great ideas and advice.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practical and Inspiring

Be REAL is a powerful reminder of the to celebrate our uniqueness and the value in each voice. The practical tips and the relational focus of this book resonated with me. Tara’s vulnerability and authenticity jump off the pages and I have come away inspired and excited! This is a great read!

[Trish G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fabulous book! Tara Martin reminds us in her very authentic way, that building relationships and educating from the heart is the foundation that all students need and deserve! This is a must read for anyone in education!

[Lainie Rowell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cannonball into this book!

This book is lovingly written and it is a joy to read. With transparency and honesty, Tara Martin shares inspiring stories and innovative pedagogy with practical tips to guide us along the way! Grab your copy now! Your heart and your mind will thank you!

[Kathy Locke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring and encouraging!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Tara. A perfect reminder to be REAL And embrace who you are. Loved it!

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Filled with so much inspiration and valuable reminders to be approachable, open, REAL leaders, colleagues, friends and human beings. The education field needs more books like this, and more people like Tara Martin to inspire us along the way.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was assigned this book in a Literature Circle for my Education 200 class. I wasn't expecting to enjoy it as much as I did. In this book, Tara teaches the reader how to be REAL (Relatable, Expose vulnerability, Approachable, and Learning to Live). This is a central theme throughout the book. I expected this to be a boring, how-to textbook for educators. Boy was I wrong. While it does delve into several how-to moments, this book teaches educators and future educators many life lessons they can both learn and teach in their classroom from life and vise versa. There are several quotes from fellow educators, authors, and students, as well as several heart-felt stories that (I'm not kidding) made me tear up at least three times while reading.
Tara Martin is the inventor of #BookSnaps, which I had never even heard of before reading this book. However, the concept sounds incredible, and an amazing way to get students and staff excited about learning and reading. This hashtag has grown to multiple countries, helping students all over the world learn through a medium they're comfortable with and love - SnapChat! How cool, right? I'd totally recommend this book, and there's no way I'm selling it. I will be using this book again and again through my years of teaching.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing! It gives a cup of personal storytelling, a tablespoon of great ideas you can apply in your classroom, and a real reminder that all teachers or people who work in education need about why we are here. Tara breaks things down and brings her own personal stories into her book that gives truth to her words. She is open and REAL which allows the reader to truly connect to her, I know I did! Her reflection questions at the end of every chapter make you think and push you to dive deeper into each chapter. I recommend this book for anyone in the education field and anyone considering joining it!

[D. Bright]

Great book. Different than other teacher books. Tara does a great job of interweaving personal stories to help make her point that we, educators especially (but people in general), would do well to be REAL.

REAL is her acronym for Relatable, Exposing Vulnerability, being Approachable, and Learning through Life.

Her section on Exposing Vulnerability is very good and a good lesson for how we can connect with others is not always by exhibiting strength, but being willing to share our struggles and mistakes.

I highly recommend this book, especially if you need to be encouraged that there is more to teaching than test scores. Anyone in education will benefit from this book.

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the fast paced, numbers driven world of our schools today, educators often get caught up in the seeming urgency of everything. This book shares stories of lessons learned over time and reminded us to BE REAL. Focusing on people- teachers, students, admin, community- all the stakeholders of our schoolhouses. Stand outs for me: quieting the worries, listening to learn not judge, the science behind #booksnaps, and the innovators’ compass.

[Jacinta Carter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some parts of this book were great, while others are definitely directed toward a specific type of teacher. I didn't agree with Martin's ideas on constantly offering to hug students, and I think a lot of her techniques would work with elementary students but not high school kids. But, she had a lot of great ideas in the second half of the book that I will likely try in my classroom.

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book for many reasons. First and foremost is that Tara Martin has great energy and that comes through in her writing loud and clear. If you are looking for inspiration on how to connect with kids, this is a must read. Tara's heartlight shines brightly here.

[Helen Moses · Rating 5 out of 5]

We all need to Be Real....I have wanted to try #BookSnaps and other tools Tara describes... this may be the push to blog #IMOOC , where this all started.

[Cindy Wise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tara reminds us how to connect with kids and families. And with ourselves. Be Real.

[Kelly Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a great book for educators. I like the positive, upbeat message to be REAL that Tara Martin explores.

[Pam Hubler · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING! I can't say that I've read many professional books that made me cry and inspired me at the same time. You'll feel like you've known Tara forever after reading this book!

[Greg Zimmerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here's a message every educator should hear. I enjoyed #booksnaps and will be implementing them in my middle school weekly reading log.

[Aubrey DiOrio · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was exactly what I needed to feel ready to tackle this school year. I feel empowered as a teacher and leader! Highly recommend to every educator!

[Josie Floyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book for an educator who is a beginner or a veteran. All about being real, relationships and leading from the heart.