Dare to Connect addresses the whole teacher and how to create success in school, outside of school, and in retirement through connections with stakeholders utilizing the 6 P's of the professional teacher: present, prepared, part of the team, positive, proactive, and patient. It concludes with the future of education: leading changes from the classroom: teachers as respected professional leaders and collaborators with their stakeholders.
Belle O'Neill retired in 2019 after 32 years as a public-school teacher in California and Nevada. A 2016 Fulbright Fellow for Teachers for Global Classrooms, she guest lectures at colleges and universities on topics including teacher rights, teacher credibility, communicating with parents and global education.
Foreword Preface Acknowledgements Introduction Part 1: Creating Success at School Chapter 1: Present and Joyful Connections Chapter 2: Prepared with Calm Transitions Chapter 3: Part of the Team Benefits You Chapter 4: Positive Investments Make a Meaningful Career Chapter 5: Proactive Leader and Creating a Positive Classroom Climate Chapter 6: Patience and Humor in the Classroom Part 2: Creating Success Outside of the Classroom Chapter 7: Present for You First and Then for Others Chapter 8: Prepared and not Frazzled Chapter 9: Part of the Team and Knowing Your Colleagues Outside of School Chapter 10: Positive: An Identity Outside of School Chapter 11: Proactive Leader: Standing Up for Your Teacher Rights Chapter 12: Patient: Growing from Experiences Part 3: Creating Success after Retiring from Teaching Chapter 13: Present to the End of Your Career and Retiring on Your Terms Chapter 14: Prepared Financially and Emotionally for Retirement Chapter 15: Part of a New Team and New Interests Chapter 16: Positive: Retirement is an Attitude and not an Event Chapter 17: Proactive Leader: Create What You Want to Happen in Retirement Chapter 18: Patient in Your Transition to Retirement Conclusion: The Future of Education. Leading Changes from the Classroom: Teachers as Respected Bibliography About the Author
Every teacher should get their hands on this book. Whether they are beginning their career, ten years in, or approaching retirement, this book has something for all. The authentic and human approach to teaching will inspire all educators. -- Kathleen Whatford, Physical Education Teacher, South Tahoe Middle School, South Lake Tahoe, California The section on communicating with parents is exactly what every prospective teacher needs to read. As a beginning teacher educator at the University of Nevada, Reno, I know my students often feel extreme anxiety about the idea of calling students' parents. The ideas listed here not only provide students with valuable talking points but empower them to take ownership and guide some of the more difficult communications in the right direction. My family engagement course dedicates multiple weeks to learning the craft of making effective phone calls to parents. The students were so grateful for Belle O'Neill's expertise as a guest speaker and author because they felt both relieved and reassured to make their first phone calls home. -- Caroline Hatcher, Secondary Education Field-Based Instructor, College of Education and Human Development University of Nevada, Reno
