The Mindful Teacher (series on school reform) [Paperback]

Elizabeth MacDonald (editor) (Author), Dennis Shirley (editor) (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0807750190 | ISBN-13: 978-0807750193 | Publication Date: October 1, 2009 | Edition: 1

As academic achievement becomes narrowed into a single-minded obsession with test scores, what possibilities remain for ethical, caring teachers to hone their craft and inspire their students with the joy of learning? In The Mindful Teacher, authors MacDonald and Shirley begin by articulating the prevalent problem of alienated teaching the kind of teaching that teachers perform when they must comply with external conditions that they feel do not serve their students well. As a solution, they propose mindful teaching the kind of teaching that is informed by contemplative practices and teacher inquiry. The authors identify key strategies that teachers can use daily to integrate more reflection and awareness into their busy classroom life. The seven synergies of mindful teaching are Open-Mindedness, Caring, Stopping, Professional Expertise, Authentic Alignment, Integration, and Collective Responsibility

Editorial Reviews

Review

This book provides powerful evidence of the benefits of authentic school and university partnerships. "The Mindful Teacher" will be treasured by educators everywhere. --Thomas Payzant, Professor of Practice, Harvard University, and Superintendent of the Boston Public Schools 1995 2006

All those who care about education and our schools will cherish "The Mindful Teacher." Here is a text that teaches us how to name, frame, and claim the problems of urban education, as we embrace the struggle, organize the support, and provide learning for those in schools and universities alike. --Ann Lieberman, Senior Scholar, Stanford University

This is the book I have been looking for. "The Mindful Teacher" is conceptually rich and practically feasible. I have no doubt that the seven synergies of mindful teaching will inspire teaching well beyond North America. --Jonathan D. Jansen, author of Knowledge in the Blood: Confronting Race and the Apartheid Past and Vice Chancellor and Principal, University of the Free State, South Africa

About the Author

Elizabeth MacDonald is a teacher at the Garfield Elementary School in Boston, Massachusetts. Dennis Shirley is a professor of education at the Lynch School of Education at Boston College. To join their online community of inquiry and practice, visit their website at mindfulteacher.com and join the conversation at themindfulteacher.blogspot.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Teachers College Press; 1 edition (October 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807750190
• ISBN-13: 978-0807750193
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #349,009 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's time to bring mindfulness to the table, December 19, 2009

By 

Jeffrey A. Timberlake "paper fetish" (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Mindful Teacher (series on school reform) (Paperback)

This is a wonderful book written by two teachers: one who works at the university level and one who works at the elementary level. Finally, a book which bridges the gap between theory and practice! For too long, urban education reform books have been published that seldom take into account the voice of the teacher. How many teaching conferences have you attended where the classroom teacher's voice was simply not present? This book discusses the power of teacher voice in urban education. It shows how a university professor and an elementary school teacher were able to bring together a cohort of Boston Public School teachers to both question and tackle the challenges encountered in the environ of urban education. I think new teachers, veteran teachers, and those on the path to teacher certification will appreciate the honesty and hope in this book as well as the "practice" of mindfulness to both inform teacher instruction and positively impact student learning. Imagine a book that sheds light on an alternative to data driven instruction and high stakes testing accountability! Do read The Mindful Teacher!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Take time to be "MINDFUL"!, January 1, 2010

By 

Janet "Purplteach" (Boston) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Mindful Teacher (series on school reform) (Paperback)

Fellow educators get ready to feel invigorated and inspired. This book will touch your soul as well as your mind. In these times where we focus on data and curriculum spend time reflecting on the realities of teaching.Enjoy!