The Joyful Teacher: Strategies for Becoming the Teacher Every Student Deserves

by Berit Gordon

"My wish," writes Berit Gordon, "is for there to be more joy and less struggle in a profession where people put in such tremendous effort and do such essential work." No matter what supports you might have in your school or district, you can take charge of your teacher growth and craft your own professional learning journey. The Joyful Teacher provides a structure to help K-12 teachers across all content areas reflect on their professional development needs, set goals that work, and access practical strategies that will help them meet those goals. While anyone can pop in and pull out strategies for what's needed right now, the goals and strategies are organized in a progression to set teachers up for the most success and highest impact. Coaches and administrators will also find numerous ways to support the teachers they work with and help them feel and be effective. Each chapter begins with a self-assessment checklist to help you find which goal and strategy will be your entry point. Within each strategy you'll find step-by-step instructions, explanations for why and how the strategy works, a detailed "how to," supports and indicators to help you know if the idea is working, and references to help you continue exploring if you want to learn even more. Berit includes grade band suggestions and grade level modifications to help you make the strategy work best for you and your students. There is no "right" place to start and no goal that is more sophisticated or more important than any other. The Joyful Teacher helps you prioritize what is most essential for what you need and choose goals and strategies that work for you and your students. Where will your journey begin?

Join The Joyful Teacher Facebook Group ! This group is for educators looking to take charge of their professional learning journey, to feel empowered in their work, and to create a greater impact for all the students in their classroom.

Genres: Education, Teaching, Professional Development

320 pages, Paperback

Published May 11, 2020

Reviews

[Julia Alvarez · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE JOYFUL TEACHER is just the sort of book for this moment in education, when the pandemic has revealed some of the inbuilt inequities and gaps in the system while at the same time showing us all the remarkable dedication, versatility and commitment to students on the part of so many educators. As schools reopen and we reconsider and rebuild what the learning experience should be going forward, THE JOYFUL TEACHER is an inspiring, practical, and wise companion guide. Out of the word emergency comes the word emerge! THE JOYFUL TEACHER is a perfect place to start.

[Peggy Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like how this book is set up. Reminds me of Marzano in how it lays out best practices. I earmarked at least ten things to try this year due to the technology tips outlined in each section.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic resource for teachers! My only complaint is not with the book, but with someone who becomes a teacher and didn't already catch on to most of the ideas the author suggests.

I know that I learned from good teachers that I had growing up, so I expect others to be able to do likewise. Setting routines and rituals as well as building relationships sets up the rest of success.

[Jen Steed Knapp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I could wave a wand and make this book appear on every teacher's desk. I really believe that if teachers read this, classrooms would be so much better. Teachers would be happier. Students would be happier. Teachers and students would have stronger relationships. And the learning that would take place because of these things -- pure magic.

Might I also add that you can flip to a chapter today and get ideas to implement in the classroom tomorrow. I love that about professional development books -- ideas that are easy and fast to implement. This book is chock full of them.

Teachers, homeschool teachers, tutors, and anyone who works with kids in any kind of educational context: BUY this book, READ this book, SHARE this book.

Humans: GIFT this book to anyone you know in the educational world. You will be giving them the gift of joy in the classroom. What's better than that? Because if a teacher is joyful, everything else will follow.

[Dr. Raye of Sunshine · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a veteran teacher, I’m so happy someone introduced this book to me. It’s great for new teachers and veterans alike. Some of it may feel like common sense and will definitely be something that (hopefully) you heard about in your education preparation program.

Some of it goes deeper though and is well worth the read. Gordon sets it up in a way that each chapter is full of strategies that focus on whatever the heart of that chapter is about. You don’t have to read word for word to get what you need from this book. You can flip to where you’re struggling or want to improve and dig right in.

It’s filled with practical tips and tricks for any level of educator. Additionally, the author emphasizes for every single strategy where it originated and how you can learn more.

The format for each strategy is brilliant:
Name of strategy
Try this
How do I know if this will help?
How do I know if this idea is working?
How to try with others

And in many cases there are suggestions for adapting to the level you teach, from young learners through high school. I’ve been teaching for 17 years and I still found myself nodding, dog-earring and makes notes of areas I want to dig more into and strategies I definitely want to give a try or get back to.

Brilliant book.

[South Brunswick High School Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the privilege of hearing the author, Berit Gordon, speak at a conference last spring and was excited to order this book for my high school library. Gordon provides excellent strategies to make the classroom a more joyful place for both teachers and students. Each topic is divided into different sections with clearly noted ideas what educators can look for and try. The ideas are adapted for different levels so it offers strategies and suggestions to serve all K-12 teachers. It is a great choice for new teachers or for more experienced teachers who are looking to bring joy back to their teaching. Highly recommend.

[A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had to read this for a class. Would recommend for future teachers in college as part of a course or as part of a book club for teachers early in their careers. Lots of basic strategies. Written for easy digestion and application, not heavy theory much more practical. You also don’t have to read it from front to back because it’s broken up into solid sections and subsection so you could skip around to get what you need. Even experience, teachers could walk away with a nugget of something to try or do. Appreciated the realistic component about how to avoid burnout as that’s an unfortunate but realistic aspect of being an educator in today’s society in America.

[Lablover · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the book and it has some really great ideas. I have been teaching for almost 30 years and there's always something to improve upon. Unfortunately, many ideas aren't conducive to a high school Life Skills class. Many of my students are nonverbal. I will try some ideas because I believe students should feel happy when they are in school. I was just hoping for more.

[jennyreadit · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for new teachers and not so new teachers. Full of suggestions and strategies for classroom management, environment and more. Includes self reflection questions to help teachers choose professional goals and ideas for implementation.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want one book to read this year to support your teaching, this is it. Berit covers the full gamut from self-care to class management to planning to assessing and beyond. She includes important elements to consider as well as practical strategies to try. A very teacher-friendly read.

[Loren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is perfect for all teachers, new and veteran. I walked away with an array of strategies to use immediately!

[Madeline Singleton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not a teacher but this was a really practical, positive, and essential guide for the modern teacher I can use a lot of these strategies for my school counseling programs.