Deliberate Optimism 2/e

Dr. Debbie Silver is a humorist, consultant, and retired educator with over thirty years of experience as a classroom teacher, staff development facilitator, and university professor. As a classroom teacher, Debbie won numerous awards, including the 1990 Louisiana Teacher of the Year award. She speaks worldwide on issues involving education and is a passionate advocate for students and teachers. Debbie wrote the best-selling books, Drumming to the Beat of Different Marchers and Fall Down 7 Times, Get Up 8. She co-wrote the best-selling Teaching Kids to Thrive. In 1990, Debbie Pace and Lawrence Silver merged their families of 3 boys (Debbie) and 2 boys (Lawrence) as they married and eventually both earned their doctorate degrees (to form a "pair-a-docs"). They currently reside in Melissa, TX. One of the nation's most popular keynote speakers and professional development presenters, Debbie has given presentations around the world (including 49 states [Hey, Delaware, let's talk!], Canada, Mexico, Europe, the Middle East, Australia, Africa, and Asia), helping audiences to interact with students on a more meaningful level. While inspiring educators to enjoy the job they once loved, she reminds them of how important they are in the lives of children, their families, and the world. Through her writing and her speaking she makes essential points while sharing poignant stories and lots of laughs. Jack Berckemeyer is a nationally recognized presenter, author, and humorist, Jack Berckemeyer began his career as a middle school teacher in Denver, Colorado. After only two years, he was recognized as the outstanding educator at his school and in his district. Then in 2003, Jack received the Outstanding Alumni Award from the Falcon School District. Jack has also served as a judge for the Disney American Teacher Awards and has served on the selection committee for the USA TODAY All-Teacher Team. Jack has a master's degree in Middle Level Education as well as an administrator's degree. For 13 years, Jack served as the Assistant Executive Director for the National Middle School Association. He is the owner of Berckemeyer Consulting Group where he has presented in hundreds of school districts and conference settings both nationally and internationally. Jack is known not only for his keynotes and workshops but is also highly regarded as one of the best long-term professional developers in the country. Jack is best-practice focused and research-based. He is in high demand and enjoys working with districts that truly want to see measurable changes. As the owner and director of NUTS and BOLTS-the Never Boring Conference for Educators Jack brings conferences for educators to a whole new level of engagement by focusing on best practices, and offering realistic and practical hands-on tools to increase success for educators, schools and students. He is the author of Managing the Madness: A Practical Guide to Middle Grades Classrooms; Taming of the Team: How Great Teams Work Together; How to Do Virtual Teaching Even If You Have a Face for Radio; and numerous educational articles. In addition, he is the lead author of the comprehensive professional development curriculum: Elements of Effective Teaming. Jack has also co-authored Deliberate Optimism: Reclaiming the Joy in Education (with Debbie Silver and Judith Baenen); The What, Why, and How of Student-Led Conferences (with Patti Kinney), and H.E.L.P. for Teachers (with Judith Baenen). His latest book, Successful Middle School Teaming, was released fall of 2022 and is the companion guide to, The Successful Middle School:This We Believe. Jack lives in Denver, Colorado and has no pets or plants.

Preface to the second edition Introduction: Choosing to Enter Education Is a Telling Vote for Optimism Chapter 1: Principle #1: Gather Information Chapter 2: Principle #2: Control What You Can Chapter 3: Principle #3: Do Something Positive Chapter 4: Principle #4: Own Your Part Chapter 5: Mental Health Is Health Chapter 6: "But We Have This One Teacher Who keeps Ruining Everything!" Chapter 7: Building a Positive Shared School Community Chapter 8: Joyful School Communities - The Sum of Their Parts Appendix I.1 Life Orientation Test Appendix I.2 Happiness and Optimism Tests Appendix I.3 Life on a Roll Appendix 1.1 Four Principles of Deliberate Optimism Appendix 1.2 The 4 Principles of Deliberate Optimism Worksheet Appendix 1.3 Realistic Awareness Appendix 1.4 Recognizing and Celebrating Staff Appendix 3.1 Tips for Writing Letters to Students Appendix 5.1 Twelve Ways to Reduce Stress Appendix 6.1 Ten Tips for Improving Interpersonal Relationships Appendix 6.2 Life Is a Theatre Appendix 7.1 Effective Team-Building Activities Appendix 7.2 Student Accountability Appendix 7.3 Loyalty Appendix 8.1 Student-Led Conferences References

You need to buy two copies of this book. One to keep on your desk so you can grab it when you need immediate strategies to handle the challenges that arise. The other to keep on your bedside table so you can read it again for comfort, reassurance, and encouragement. This is the book that will keep you in education . . . sane, calm, competent, and resilient. -- Roselind Wiseman This new edition is hardcore. Newly updated with their characteristic humor, real classroom examples, robust new research, action steps, and appendices worth the price alone, Debbie and Jack have outdone themselves. This is real aloe on the wounds and a bright lantern for the way forward to converting radical hope into effective educational practice while finding grounds for joy along the way. -- Rick Wormeli With Deliberate Optimism you will have everything you need to reimagine an environment of passion and purpose. It is an essential guide for achieving the best version of yourself! Every teacher and district team member should be given this book to help them accelerate kindness and caring in our schools. -- Martinrex Kedziora This book serves as a beacon of hope. We sail forward guided by the positive momentum of these Principles and Action Steps to navigate the present challenges and prepare for those to come. Get on board for a joyful journey of deliberate optimism based on honesty, humor, and hope. -- Stephen Sroka