This book is a must for any K-12 teacher. The practical strategies - from learning the characteristics of an effictive "No", to lesson design - will help any teacher improve their classroom management.

To meet the needs of the fast growing numbers of Latino/a English learners, this volume presents an approach to secondary education teacher preparation based on the work of the National Latino/a Education Research and Policy Project (NLERAP). Renowned scholar and educator Angela Valenzuela, together with an impressive roster of contributors, provides a critical framework for educating culturally responsive teachers. They examine the knowledge, skills, and predisposition required for higher education institutions to create curricula for educating Latino/a children, children of color, and language minority youth. Growing Critically Conscious Teachers illuminates why growing our own teachers makes sense as an approach for not only addressing the achievement gap, but for also enhancing the well-being of our communities as a whole. Book Features: A community-based, university- and district-connected partnership model that fosters students’ critical consciousness. A framework for participatory action research (PAR) within teacher preparation that promotes community and societal transformation. A curriculum premised on sociocultural and sociopolitical awareness. The wisdom, experiences, and lessons learned from educators who have been change agents in their own schools, communities, and college classrooms across the country. “An enormous contribution to the field. It will also be a cherished resource and guide for Latino/a and non-Latino/a teachers alike, and for the university faculty and school- and community-based facilitators who help prepare them.” —From the Foreword by Sonia Nieto, Professor Emerita, Language, Literacy, and Culture, College of Education, University of Massachusetts, Amherst “Provides the elemental sparks for essential conversations about culturally responsive teaching and the well-being of youth in our communities. Through a variety of critical perspectives this volume raises significant questions that must be at the forefront of Latino/a education. This excellent volume is a must read for teachers truly committed to educational practices of social justice in schools today.” —Antonia Darder, Leavey Endowed Chair of Ethics and Moral Leadership, Loyola Marymount University

All the practical strategies of the first edition, with so much more! Go to www.consciousteaching.com for details

The Conscious Classroom illuminates the power of mindfulness and contextual thinking to transform classroom culture and facilitate deeper learning. Thousands of teens in Philadelphia public high schools are learning to de-stress, think systemically, and develop care for themselves and for others with the Inner Strength System(TM). In a world so cynical about public education, Edelstein's work, which has been empirically validated, shows that education for well-being truly works. "A must read for anyone interested in how to transform education and elevate human behavior " Sam Beard, founder of the Jefferson Awards "This is an inspiring book that looks towards the future with open possibility. Amy Edelstein skillfully shows us the power of mindful awareness in developing clarity and perspective and how these benefits can ripple out far and wide." Diane Reibel, Ph.D., Director, Mindfulness Institute, Thomas Jefferson University "This book is a wellspring of life-giving water in the heart of the contemporary educational desert " Mirabai Starr, author of Caravan of No Despair " The time and space to meditate might be the core of what high schools need. I left this book with more hope for the world the next generation will create than I have had in a long time." Eric Hoffman, Ph.D. St. Joseph University, former director, American Philosophical Assoc. "A game changer, this book defines the path for how we might collaborate to fulfill the mission of educating conscious citizens." Jonathan Miller-Lane, Ph.D., Director, Program in Education Studies, Middlebury College, VT "The work of Amy Edelstein, in The Conscious Classroom, is so critical. The Inner Strength System equips young people with the tools that breed resilience and emotional self-sufficiency. With these tools, they can stay grounded and rise above the tumult of an uncertain world. Sharmain Matlock-Turner, CEO, Urban Affairs Coalition, Senior Fellow, Fels Institute of Governance. "Amy Edelstein's The Conscious Classroom is a clear and strong voice that empowers teens through mindfulness practices to navigate change, complexity, and culture." Valerie Brown, JD, MA, PCC, Co-Author, The Mindful School Leader: Practices to Transform Your Leadership and School (Corwin, 2014)

Educators who work with pre-service teachers understand the significant role they play in mentoring the next generation of teachers. Those who have "walked the talk" and been classroom teachers themselves, working with students daily over the course of a school year, can share powerful stories on transformative teaching. To fully prepare tomorrow's teachers, educators need to mix theory about best practice with the reality of teaching in classrooms. Cases on Emotionally Responsive Teaching and Mentoring provides a collection of case studies from former classroom teachers who now work with pre-service teachers to provide an understanding of the expectations and outcomes of teaching through actual K-12 teaching experiences. Featuring coverage on a broad range of topics such as cultural identity, teacher development, and learner diversity, this book is ideally designed for pre-service teachers, mentors, educators, administrators, professors, academicians, and students seeking current research on the diverse nature of schools, children, and learning and applying concepts to best suit the profession.

The Conscious Teacher is about all kinds of strategies and techniques educators might employ to become more effective teachers. In an accessible, conversational style, Deborah Nichols Poulos presents unique approaches to teaching that will inspire new and veteran teachers alike. She begins with her personal story of not being able to read all through elementary school. Her early failures convinced her she was dumb. At first, she struggled, but when she still failed, she adopted an avoidance strategy that served her well until junior high. An experience in the seventh grade flipped a switch and started her on a journey to becoming an outstanding student and, later, to applying the lessons she learned as a child to her own teaching What makes The Conscious Teacher unique are the inspirational lessons that are unlike what most teachers get in their teacher-education courses or student teaching. Ms. Nichols Poulos points out, for example, that from the very first day, it is important that students learn they will be treated with dignity and respect no matter what. And especially helpful are the steps Ms. Nichols Poulos employs to set up a behavior management plan that works. She explains the strategic steps she takes before school starts—how essential it is to get to know each student before they walk into class on that first day. She also illustrates how setting up classroom routines helps students know what to expect and how to make the best use of every minute. And she emphasizes the importance of the parent-student-teacher team and includes many examples of how to communicate with—and involve—parents, even those who may be difficult. Foundational to her program are reading and writing. Among other things, she lays out the steps for students—even as early as fourth grade—to write five paragraph essays and their own student-authored books, and to research and write reports that include bibliographies. When she differentiated curriculum to support all students’ needs, she found their learning accelerated. All teachers will appreciate her ideas about how to teach the basics of math, as well as advanced math concepts. And her ideas for teaching the arts are inspirational, as she describes in detail how her fourth graders performed Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Macbeth, King Lear, Julius Caesar, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. She also shows how to integrate social studies with literature and writing. Her experiences taught her that young students are much more capable than many people realize. The Conscious Teacher is an indispensable guide for all new teachers. Many of the ideas Ms. Nichols Poulos provides will also be an eye-opener for parents and experienced teachers as well. The Conscious Teacher is simply a must have for anyone truly interested in giving young children a positive and solid foundation for their later schooling.

The Conscious Educator presents an honest, inspiring, and solutions-focused approach to creating more positive and equitable school experiences for every student. Inspired by her real-life teaching experiences as a former elementary school teacher, author Salandra Grice shines a light on the blind spots many teachers have when it comes to teaching culturally diverse students. She doesn't shy away from holding every teacher accountable for committing to become a culturally conscious educator. The topics Salandra covers in this work include important connections between culture and learning, and the misinformed ideology of colorblindness among many K-12 educators. In this well-researched book, Salandra pulls no punches in her attempt to ask educators to self-reflect, and to accept accountability for the lack of culturally aware educational practices, and the prevalence of inequitable practices, currently in place in today's schools. With its goal being the implementation of solutions to create greater pathways of success for every student, The Conscious Educator is the new guide for educators who want to be prepared to teach our 21st-century students. This book, filled with practical, ready-to-implement strategies and approaches for teaching diverse students, is the foundation for good teaching. Without these strategies and approaches, today's trend of fast fixes to enhance student achievement won't matter in attempts to close achievement gaps. The bottom line is this: If teachers do not know who they are teaching, then they cannot be effective in understanding how to teach them.

Motherhood is misunderstood. Since time immemorial we've believed that when women become mothers they are taking time out from real work and serious personal growth, especially spiritual development. But we've got it all wrong. While heavily pregnant with her third child, personal growth writer Astra Niedra attempted a holiday in the tropical paradise of Australia's Far North with her husband and two young daughters in tow. During this ‘holiday’ (we need another word to describe 'an extended overnight excursion with young children) she discovered that the skills and abilities mothers are required to use each day as part of their job are the same as the practices prescribed for enlightenment seekers. Join Astra on her journey of discovery and feel inspired, entertained and spiritually uplifted, all the while becoming increasingly grounded in the unshakeable truth that there is far more to being a mother and raising children than conventional wisdom would have us believe. “Absolutely brilliant! This book is just what the world needs now as our planet continues to move towards political and ecological disaster while the patriarchal systems that still dominate our thinking continue to devalue everything traditionally – and biologically – female.” "In a most perfect balance of yin and yang, of logic and feeling, of humor and gravity, Astra Niedra reclaims for all human beings – not just women – a precious element of that which is truly sacred in life." “Her simple spellbinding stories, her keen intellect, and her unfailing humour make this book a pleasure to read. Here is a new way of thinking of spirituality, of valuing our humanity while living a spirit-infused life, and a fascinating (and novel) path to enlightenment! It's a consciousness changer and I loved it." – Dr Sidra Stone, author of Embracing Our Selves, Partnering, Embracing Your Inner Critic, and The Shadow King "I enjoyed this immensely... Definitely a fun and entertaining book while sharing a bit of spiritual goodness as well." – Katie "This book put into words just what, and how, I was feeling about my own spiritual journey. Women and men have such different experiences and this book beautifully articulates them." – Amanda "A great read for all mothers, I loved this book!" – Ann Shepich “Enlightenment indeed! I hope many women have the opportunity to read Astra’s book. Being pregnant, birthing and mothering are the most important jobs on earth. Honouring these roles is important for governments and society to appreciate and elevate to a much higher status. Astra’s journey is familiar, delightfully written and inspiring.” – Susan Ross, Midwife, Birth Educator and author of Birth Right

Teaching as Protest explores how K-12 teachers can expand the boundaries of their profession with anti-oppressive, community-building pedagogies. Now more than ever, students are looking to their schools to make meaning of our nation’s complicated and compounded traumas, namely those at the intersection of race, class, gender, and power. This book provides historical and philosophical perspectives into liberatory instructional work, while offering planning, preparation, and practice tools whose modalities recognize identity and mindsets, emphasizing schools that predominantly serve Black students. By moving beyond conventional tools and tasks such as standards, lesson-planning, and grade-team meetings and into more emancipatory, student-centered approaches, teachers can answer the call to a more just and radical demonstration of protest intended to disrupt and dismantle oppression, racism, and bias.