This isn't your average teaching book. With a fun, comic-book-inspired layout, Teaching Is for Superheroes! skips the information overload and gives you practical action steps for igniting enthusiasm in your K-12 classroom and achieving your professional goals. Now more than ever, teachers are in high demand—yet the threat of burnout still looms large. This book will help you keep the spark alive, engaging you in a deeper examination of education by way of entertaining superhero archetypes and tropes. What’s your teaching origin story? Your secret identity? Your powers, weaknesses, nemeses? The teachers-as-superheroes metaphor provides a rich venue through which you can thoughtfully analyze your purpose and pedagogy.
This high quality, eye-catching book offers you an inspirational springboard for practical insight and application in the classroom. You’ll gain ideas for surviving your first year, navigating social media as a teacher, interacting productively with colleagues and parents, using tech in the classroom, prioritizing self-care, harnessing your teacher “superpowers,” and even dressing for teaching success. The school setting may not be as glamorous as the futurist skyscrapers, alien planets, or alternate universes we see in movies and comics, but the adventure is just as exciting—and best of all, it’s real!
Gain teaching insights, tips, and advice in an entertaining, superhero-inspired format Identify your teaching superpowers and weaknesses, and learn to lean on others when needed Explore the “universe” of teaching to understand where you fit in and how you can leave your legacy Equip yourself with the gadgets and gizmos you need to sharpen your skills and power up your classroom
Current and future K-12 educators—pick up Teaching Is for Superheroes!, put on your cape, and start saving the world, one class at a time.
By:
Daniel J. Bergman
Imprint: Sybex Inc.,U.S.
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions:
Height: 234mm,
Width: 188mm,
Spine: 18mm
Weight: 340g
ISBN: 9781394153732
ISBN 10: 1394153732
Pages: 240
Publication Date: 31 May 2023
Audience:
General/trade
,
ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Foreword xiii Acknowledgments xv About the Author xvii Introduction 1 Teachers Are Superheroes 2 Questions for Reflection and Discussion 3 References 4 01 Origin Stories 5 Tales of Passion! 5 My Tragic Backstory 6 Happier Thoughts 7 Catchy Catchphrases and Super Slogans 8 Finding Purpose 11 Born or Made? 14 Year One 15 To Be Continued! 17 Further Reading 17 Further Viewing 17 Questions for Reflection and Discussion 17 References 18 02 Secret Identities 21 Q&A FYI (No TMI) 22 The Best at What I Do Forget 23 What’s in a Name? 25 That’s Mister Fantastic to You 26 They Know Where You Live! 28 Dial H for Hero Help 28 I Am Teacher Man! 31 Hero vs. Civilian 32 Buffers for Blurred Boundaries 33 To Be Continued! 34 Further Reading 34 Further Viewing 34 Questions for Reflection and Discussion 35 References 35 03 Costumes and Colors 39 Fashion Tip #1: Functionality 40 Fashion Tip #2: Simplicity 40 Wardrobe Malfunctions 41 Complementary Colors— Primary Heroes, Secondary Villains 42 Colors in the Classroom 44 What (Not) to Wear? 46 Quick Changes or Gradual Transformations 48 Timeless or Trendy 49 Dress Codes for Students and Teachers 50 To Be Continued! 53 Further Reading 53 Further Viewing 53 Questions for Reflection and Discussion 53 References 54 04 Living and Learning in Your Universe 59 Keeping It Real 60 Classrooms of SIN! 62 Natural Light and Life 63 Musical Chairs (and Desks) 64 Declarative Decorations 66 You Are the Real Clock King 66 Where Is Your Hideout? 67 Putting a Personal Touch on Personal Space 69 Be True to Your School(s) 70 Meanwhile, at the Hall of Justice 71 A Secret Sanctum Sanctorum 72 To Be Continued! 74 Further Reading 74 Further Viewing 74 Questions for Reflection and Discussion 75 References 76 05 Strengths and Superpowers 79 Man Without Fear and With- It Teachers 79 Fantastic Teaching Powers 81 Mr. Fantastic (Reed Richards) 81 Human Torch (Johnny Storm) 82 Invisible Woman (Susan Storm- Richards) 83 The Thing (Ben Grimm) 85 Earthbound (and Effective) Teacher Powers 86 Content Knowledge (CK) 87 Pedagogical Knowledge (PK) 87 Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK) 88 Research- Aligned Framework for Teaching (RAFT) 90 Weird Superpowers 92 To Be Continued! 93 Further Reading 93 Further Viewing 94 Questions for Reflection and Discussion 94 References 95 06 Gadgets and Gizmos 101 What’s in Your Utility Belt? 101 Meaningful Materials 102 Technology: Vision or Ultron? 105 Magic Bullets, Quick Fixes, Power Rings, and Ultimate Nullifiers 106 The Ultimate Educational Tool 106 Questioning 107 Responding 108 Conveying Nonverbal Behaviors 109 Listening and Noticing 110 Waiting and Thinking 110 Utility and Synergy 111 Sharpen the Saw (and Your Skills) 112 To Be Continued! 113 Further Reading 113 Further Viewing 113 Questions for Reflection and Discussion 114 References 114 07 Vulnerabilities 119 What Color Is Your Kryptonite? 119 Green Kryptonite: Weakness 119 How to Answer the Interview Question “What Is Your Greatest Weakness?” 124 Red Kryptonite: Unpredictability 125 Gold Kryptonite: Permanent Powerlessness 126 White Kryptonite: Kills All Plant Life 127 Feet of Clay 128 Kindness Is Not a Weakness 129 To Be Continued! 130 Further Reading 130 Further Viewing 130 Questions for Reflection and Discussion 130 References 131 08 Archenemies 133 Not the Enemy #1: Students 134 Not the Enemy #2: Parents 136 Absent Parents 138 Helicopter Parents 139 Not the Enemy #3: Other Teachers 140 Not the Enemy #4: Administration 142 So, Who Is the Enemy? 143 Check Yourself! 145 Avoid Villainous Traps (and Labels) 146 To Be Continued! 147 Further Reading 147 Further Viewing 147 Questions for Reflection and Discussion 148 References 149 09 Teammates 153 Iron Sharpens Iron (Man) 154 Isolation to Collaboration 155 Get to Know Your Teammates (and Yourself) 157 The Leader 157 The Brain 158 The Brawn 158 The Techie 159 The Sneaker 159 The Speedster 160 The Jokester 161 The Rebel 161 The Loner 162 Complex Characters 163 Get Together (and Get Along) 165 Teamwork Tactic #1: Lesson Study 166 Teamwork Tactic #2: Curriculum Integration 167 Educators Assemble! 168 To Be Continued! 170 Further Reading 170 Further Viewing 170 Questions for Reflection and Discussion 171 References 172 10 Sidekicks and Mentors 177 A Dynamic Duo 178 Sidekick Role #1: Point of Identification (and Accountability) 179 Sidekick Role #2: Source of Humor and Emotional Expression 180 Sidekick Role #3: Loyal Partner and Family Member 182 Teaching (and Learning) with a Sidekick 183 Early and Engaged 184 Introductions and Orientations 185 Classroom Cooperation 188 A Delicate Dynamic 191 Find Your Batman 193 Sidekick Paragons 195 To Be Continued! 196 Further Reading 196 Further Viewing 196 Questions for Reflection and Discussion 196 References 198 11 Legacy Heroes 201 Touching the Future 202 Honoring Your Heroes 203 Influential Teachers and the “Super Seven” 205 Leaving a Legacy 206 To Be Continued! 207 Further Reading 207 Further Viewing 207 Questions for Reflection and Discussion 208 References 208 Index 209
DANIEL J. BERGMAN, PhD, is a Professor and Program Chair of Science Education at Wichita State University in Wichita, Kansas. Like Superman, he considers the Sunflower State his adoptive home. Unlike Superman, Dr. Bergman cannot leap tall buildings in a single bound. Dr. Bergman previously taught middle and high school science in Nebraska and Iowa, and currently works with students and teachers from kindergarten to graduate school and every grade in between. As a fan of science, teaching, and superheroes, he is the ultimate SuperNerd. He writes about these passions at www.teachlikeasuperhero.blog and elsewhere.
