Another school year has begun (Where did
the summer go?) and educators are heading back full of energy, enthusiasm, and
ideas to make this school year the best ever. The reality is that the majority
of educators never really took a break from their professional lives. I know
this because, with the exception of the first week of July, I was busy working
with educators. I also know that even when you were on a break, your classroom
and school were not far from your thoughts. How many of you looked at things in
stores and thought “my classroom could use that” or “Susie/Johnny would really
appreciate that”? As you begin your returning rituals I know that many of you
are also looking for ways to add more to your practice and to improve the
learning outcomes for all students. I know you are looking for resources to
have close at hand. It’s part of the reason I wrote my last book. I was charged
with the task of producing a book that every educator would want close at hand
and I hope I’ve hit the mark with “Seven Keys to a Positive Learning
Environment in Your Classroom”. It’s probably expected that an author would
suggest their book is worth a read so I’ve asked some trusted and inspiring colleagues to review it
and I’m sharing their feedback below. I hope you’ll find it worth the time as
well, and I am committed to assisting any colleague to bring the content to
life. Enjoy!
Lisa
Blackstock – Former Assistant Superintendent/Current Executive Director
It is the most important book I have ever read for a
teacher to help them understand what is truly important in the teaching
profession and to understand the impact that they can have - whether positive
or negative - on a student. I think this book is a gold mine for new
teachers. The way Hierck has woven in
practical strategies along with research/experience is so powerful. I
want all of our new teachers to have it.
There are many sections that will provide a great jumping off point for
important discussions that are needed to solidify school missions.
Brian
Butler – Former Principal/Current Consultant
Teacher-Student, Teacher-Parent and Teacher
Team relationships are some of the most misunderstood components of having a
school live out its mission. Tom Hierck
helps clarify these critical relationships and provides educators with the
critical tools and resources to help us live our mission of ensuring high
levels of learning for both students and adults in schools. Put this book in every teacher’s hands and
give them the immediate road map of where to begin!
In his first solo book Tom Hierck has hit a
homerun! He has provided comprehensive approach and easy to apply strategies to
help teachers, teams and schools teach children the social and emotional skills
necessary to be successful today, tomorrow and for life beyond the PreK-12
school system.
There are many authors out there who write
about behavior strategies for students who exhibit challenging behaviors. What sets this book on an entirely different
stratosphere is that it clearly articulates “The Why, The What and The How”, at
the student, individual classroom teacher, collaborative teacher team,
school-wide and parent level of support to give all children the opportunity to
have fulfilling lives in school and beyond as adults!
The honesty from Tom Hierck in this book is
both refreshing and heartwarming. Hierck
shares how his behavior as a teacher toward students at times was not always a
best version of himself when dealing with student behavior. It seems to have
compelled him to write a detailed and turn key guide for all educators to use
in their classrooms and Schoolwide. At
the end of the each chapter his, Points to Remember and Strategies to Consider,
are enough to make one want to buy the book.
This is a marvelous addition to our professional literature.
Charlie
Coleman – Principal, Consultant, & Author
This concise, power-packed book weaves
together research and real-life experiences that remind us of the importance of
positive relationships and culture in our classrooms. Whether you are a new teacher
struggling to establish routines or a veteran teacher struggling not to become
jaded or cynical, this book is for you! Tom Hierck provides the reader
with an easy-to-implement framework that is supported with helpful how-to
strategies, case study examples and succinct points worth remembering in each
chapter. Hierck encourages us all to get to know each student’s STORY. By
combining the power of relationship building with hands-on structures and
strategies, Hierck provides every educator with a tool kit "to be
intentionally and explicitly positive, to ensure quality relationships for all
students, and to be the difference makers" in the lives of kids. Isn't
that what we all want in our classrooms and schools?
Anthony
Muhammad – Consultant & Author
Tom Hierck has produced a concrete and tangible plan
to achieve an optimal learning environment in every classroom. Administrators and teachers who are deeply concerned about ensuring
school wide excellence will greatly benefit from this book. The ideas are
clear, powerful, and practical.
Chris
Weber – Consultant & Author
Behaviors such as self-regulatory,
executive functioning, and social-emotional skills have never been as important
as they are today. They are as important as academic skills for student success
in school, college, career, and life. Tom has written a practical book that
provides the tools, strategies, and thinking to support teachers in their
support of student needs. Tom's knowledge and experiences in the area of
behavioral RTI are second-to-none. He has produced a resource that will benefit
every teacher, at every grade level, in every school.
Ken
Williams – Consultant & Author
In an era where we spend more time
expanding the list of reasons and factors contributing to why students cannot
learn, Hierck quiets the noise, and in a practical and actionable way, reminds
us of the factors we control that serve to ensure learning for all. Part of the
power in this book lies in it's tried and true universal truths, with updated
applications for current leaders and educators. The other powerful part of
Hierck's work is that he doesn't run from all the 'factors' that make the work
of educators a challenging and complex process. Instead he meets them head-on
with examples, case studies, research, and suggested strategies that tip the
scale of influence away from factors outside our control and returns primary
influence back to the educator. Tom's easy writing style will make you believe
this a quick read. But, it's not. You're going to read, be reminded of an idea
or strategy, and put the book down so you can incorporate it into your teaching
and leading practices.
