Foreword, Kwame Alexander
Introduction: We all want better
Part 1: This ain't everybody's hero story- it's yours. Begin by listening. How listening can help
How to listen to what students are really communicating
How to ensure that your lessons speak to what students say they need
You can disrupt the status quo in your class. Question the things that define your classroom culture
Identify any groups that consistently benefit less from the way things are
Change the way you do school so that kids have more opportunities to succeed
Do your homework and then go for it. Identify why change needs to happen
Do a little bit of research
Decide what to do and make a plan
Find a productive way to say no
Part 2: Taking your dreams off deferment. Show kids that you hear them. Plan for and hold regular class meetings to maintain community
Designate specific kids who can give you feedback
Shift from a punitive to an instructive mind-set
Make curriculum work for your kids. Use a universal-design-for-learning framework to make learning accessible
Understand exactly what you're being asked to do
Understand what test prep is really asking you to do
Being a good teacher versus being a good employee. Engage in imaginative mind-set work
Gather a PR team as you make a plan to be better for kids
Bring it back to the classroom
Epilogue: The gravity of our work.
