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"This book could not have come at a better time."
Carolyn Yaffe, Executive Director, Valley Charter Schools
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About the Book
Stay engaged with your purpose to better serve your students–and yourself
In an era of sky-high burnout, Educating with Passion and Purpose: Keep the Fire Going without Burning Out gives educators everything they need to thrive in their profession. This book will help you avoid the disenchantment and frustration that can come from doing the difficult work of K-12 education. You are in this field because you want to make a difference, but you often lack the support you need to do that amid overwhelming demands. Experienced educators themselves, authors Meredith Matson and Rebekah Shoaf speak the truth about what today's teachers confront--and how you can navigate the changing landscape to face the challenges and opportunities we encounter.
Inside, you'll find frequent opportunities for self-reflection on the topics that matter most to educators, including race, privilege, well-being, mentorship, and how to rise to the social-emotional demands that teaching asks. At a time when many teachers are leaving the field within the first years of their careers, Educating with Passion and Purpose offers you a way forward, so you can nurture your students and professional self.
- Gain perspective on why you teach and what matters most to you in your career
- Explore how race and identity impact interactions in your classroom
- Learn practical strategies for protecting your social and emotional energy and seeking help
- Find a new sense of inspiration in your teaching practice with hands-on activities and tools
This book is perfect for early- and mid-career educators as well as the leaders who support them, and it also offers crucial insights for pre-service educators, staff developers, and experienced teachers looking for ways to avoid career burnout and other pitfalls traditional teacher-training programs did not prepare them for.
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About the authors
Meredith Matson
Meredith is the K-12 Director of Social Studies for Herricks School District and has been an educator for more than 20 years.
Rebekah Shoaf
Rebekah is an educational consultant, founder and CEO of Boogie Down Books and What If Schools, and author of The Cocoon on Substack.
What Educators & Experts are Saying
Elena Aguilar, author, Onward: Cultivating Emotional Resilience in Educators
Elena Aguilar, author, Onward: Cultivating Emotional Resilience in Educators
Elena Aguilar, author, Onward: Cultivating Emotional Resilience in Educators
“Educating with Passion and Purpose is a useful new companion to resources on teacher wellness. The authors' personal stories are relatable and will provide insight for readers into their own desires to contribute meaningfully to education.”
Maia Heyck-Merlin, author, The Together Teacher and The Together Leader
Elena Aguilar, author, Onward: Cultivating Emotional Resilience in Educators
Elena Aguilar, author, Onward: Cultivating Emotional Resilience in Educators
“Whether outdated curriculum, lack of professional development, or boundary-setting challenges, the path to burnout can be all too clear. Within Educating with Passion and Purpose, there are practical tools, engaging anecdotes, and research-backed strategies to reflect and rejuvenate—and fall in love with teaching again.”
Alexis Goldberg, Managing Director of School Support, The Urban Assembly
Elena Aguilar, author, Onward: Cultivating Emotional Resilience in Educators
Jeffrey Garrett, Sr. VP of Leadership Development, The Partnership for Los Angeles Schools
“Teachers, leaders, and anyone who works in education will benefit from Educating with Passion and Purpose: Keep the Fire Going without Burning Out. The stories, wisdom, and reflective activities will support educators to sustain and evolve throughout their career.”
Jeffrey Garrett, Sr. VP of Leadership Development, The Partnership for Los Angeles Schools
Jeffrey Garrett, Sr. VP of Leadership Development, The Partnership for Los Angeles Schools
Jeffrey Garrett, Sr. VP of Leadership Development, The Partnership for Los Angeles Schools
“In the midst of a national teacher shortage, Matson and Shoaf provide a critical contribution to the discussion about how we retain, sustain, and reinvigorate educators — by reconnecting with their purpose! Educators from the district office to the classroom should take note of these practical ideas for transforming experience and avoiding burnout.”
Bil Johnson, retired teacher, author, The Student-Centered Classroom Handbook
Jeffrey Garrett, Sr. VP of Leadership Development, The Partnership for Los Angeles Schools
Bil Johnson, retired teacher, author, The Student-Centered Classroom Handbook
“With compelling personal narratives and a plethora of practical suggestions, these veteran teacher-leaders provide educators at all levels practical and valuable examples of how to maintain energy and commitment in the classroom. Given the post-Covid education landscape, this book is required reading for everyone working in schools.”
Carlos Beato, EdD, Co-Director of Next Generation Learning Challenges
Jeffrey Garrett, Sr. VP of Leadership Development, The Partnership for Los Angeles Schools
Bil Johnson, retired teacher, author, The Student-Centered Classroom Handbook
"Rebekah and Meredith provide a candid look at preventing and healing from teacher burnout and do so through personal story-telling that will draw you in in a deeply captivating way and will provide current and future educators with specific and equitable strategies to combat a very real problem in our field. Educators at all levels should pick up this book and learn from the infinite wisdom!"
Kristen Hawley Turner, Phd, Professor and Director of Teacher Education, Drew University
Ivelisse Ramos Brannon, former public school teacher, curricular consultant, Ph.D. student
Ivelisse Ramos Brannon, former public school teacher, curricular consultant, Ph.D. student
“For nearly 15 years I've learned alongside Meredith and Rebekah, and I continue to learn from them through the pages of this book. They interweave their personal journeys with practical tips for educators in a way that truly gets to the heart of the matter: it's all about purpose. Teacher educators, teachers, and school leaders alike will identify, reflect, and improve their practice by engaging with the personal stories and reflective prompts in this book.”
Ivelisse Ramos Brannon, former public school teacher, curricular consultant, Ph.D. student
Ivelisse Ramos Brannon, former public school teacher, curricular consultant, Ph.D. student
Ivelisse Ramos Brannon, former public school teacher, curricular consultant, Ph.D. student
“In Educating with Passion and Purpose, Matson and Shoaf combine their extensive experience
to create an invaluable resource for teachers and the leaders who support them. This book
combines the power of personal narrative with practical reflection exercises and resources to
help teachers build careers, curriculums, and communities grounded in purpose and filled with
passion.”
Shelby Sprung, Special education teacher, P94m
Ivelisse Ramos Brannon, former public school teacher, curricular consultant, Ph.D. student
David Weinberg, Former New York City School Founder
“This book is truly an inspiration to anyone fortunate enough to read it. The insightful advice, relatable experiences shared, and the encouragement and resources offered to overcome obstacles, make it applicable and useful for all educators - at any level in their careers. Through tears, smiles, and head nods in agreement, there is no doubt that this book will help unlock your ‘why’ and motivate you to grow as an educator.”
David Weinberg, Former New York City School Founder
Marshall A. George, EdD, Olshan Professor of Clinical Practice at Hunter College of CUNY
David Weinberg, Former New York City School Founder
"As a former teacher, school founder and district administrator, I can honestly say that I've not read a book that more clearly, succinctly and powerfully provides a framework for both the struggle and possibility that exists in education. This should be required reading for everyone in the field, as it realistically regrounds the work in purpose and passion, while acknowledging the challenges."
Marshall A. George, EdD, Olshan Professor of Clinical Practice at Hunter College of CUNY
Marshall A. George, EdD, Olshan Professor of Clinical Practice at Hunter College of CUNY
Marshall A. George, EdD, Olshan Professor of Clinical Practice at Hunter College of CUNY
“The authors’ realistic stories of their own professional struggles should be invaluable to other educators as they reflect on their own professional journeys. Reflective educators who need support in their professional journeys will benefit greatly from reading this book.”
Jessica Murnane, Author of One Part Plant and Know Your Endo
Marshall A. George, EdD, Olshan Professor of Clinical Practice at Hunter College of CUNY
Marshall A. George, EdD, Olshan Professor of Clinical Practice at Hunter College of CUNY
“A thoughtful, heartfelt, and comprehensive guide – I’ll be giving it to every teacher I know.”
Carolyn Yaffe, Executive Director, Valley Charter Schools
Carolyn Yaffe, Executive Director, Valley Charter Schools
Carolyn Yaffe, Executive Director, Valley Charter Schools
“Reading Meredith and Rebekah's stories reminded me not only of what I loved about learning in the classroom everyday with students, but also that this daily work is something I believe to be sacrosanct and the leader's duty to support and protect. When you are a district leader, it's easy to get caught up in the daily political and operational work that doesn't feel quite so sacred. This book could not have come at a better time.”
David Adams, CEO, The Urban Assembly
Carolyn Yaffe, Executive Director, Valley Charter Schools
Carolyn Yaffe, Executive Director, Valley Charter Schools
“Weaving their personal stories into generalizable insights about the nature of teaching and learning, Matson and Shoaf create opportunities for each reader to reflect on their passions, while reconnecting us to our common sense of purpose as educators and reigniting our belief in the power of education for all students. Educating for Passion and Purpose is a must read for every educator who seeks to rekindle the flame fueling our professional capacities as stewards of tomorrow's leaders."
Reproducible Resources from the Book
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