Be a Legacy Teacher

Carol Pelletier Radford is the founder of Mentoring in Action, an organization dedicated to the success of novice teachers and their mentors. She received her doctorate from the Harvard Graduate School of Education where she focused her studies on mentoring and teacher leadership. Carol is an experienced classroom teacher, university education administrator, and certified yoga instructor. She is the author of bestselling Corwin books Mentoring in Action: Guiding, Sharing, and Reflecting With Novice Teachers; The First Years Matter: Becoming an Effective Teacher; Teaching With Light: Ten Lessons for Finding Wisdom, Balance, and Inspiration; and "When I Started Teaching, I Wish I Had Known..." Weekly Wisdom for Beginning Teachers. Visit https://mentoringinaction.com/  to learn more about her books and access free podcasts, videos, and courses. You can find her near the beach in Falmouth, Massachusetts and Venice, Florida.

"′I′m retiring from the classroom. What do I do now?′ Many retiring teachers certainly don’t feel finished contributing. This book from Carol Pelletier Radford is a wonderful resource for teachers and school leaders who wonder what to do next. It’s packed with concrete, doable ideas for educators who still have so much to contribute. Whether you treat this book as a worktext or you just read through, you will discover ideas you might not have thought about."

• About the AuthorWelcome Letter to the ReadersIntroduction ~ Prepare For Your Legacy Teacher JourneyMy JourneyWho Is a Legacy Teacher?Why Become a Legacy Teacher?How This Book Is OrganizedEmbrace Art, Poetry, and VoicePART I ~ TRANSITIONING FROM YOUR FULL-TIME CAREERWhat’s Your Why?Expanding the ContinuumThe Profession Needs You NowPoem ~ “If Not You, Who?” by William MartinChapter 1 ~ Begin Your Journey in Your Heart: Listen to your heart and follow its guidance.Poem ~ from Self-Love Poetry: For Thinkers & Feelers by Melody GodfredHow Do You Listen?Acknowledge Your Journey into TeachingFind Your Inner Guide Through Your HeartBe Curious and CreativeChapter 2 ~ Look Back ~ Look Forward: Embrace every ending as a new beginning.Poem ~ “Existence of You” by Katje WagnerHow Will You Honor Your Legacy?Celebrate Your Education JourneyDraw Your Education Journey MapEmbrace Your Strengths as a Legacy TeacherChapter 3 ~ Maintain Your Balance: Stay inspired.Poem ~ “When I Am Among the Trees” by Mary OliverHow Do You Stay Inspired?Age GracefullyUse the Arts and Inspirational Tools to Guide YouCommunicate with Respect from the HeartPause and Reflect: What Have You Learned in Part I?PART II ~ CONTINUING SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES: EXPLORE YOUR OPTIONSWhat’s Next?Take Your TimeBe DiscerningPart II OrganizationChapter 4 ~ MENTOR: Be ready to start something new.Poem ~ “Don’t Make Lists” by Dorothy WaltersWhat Are Some Mentoring Options?Opportunities to ConsiderOne-on-One MentoringGroup Mentoring Related to Teaching PracticesMentoring for Educator Well-BeingPodcast PD Mentoring to Share WisdomMentor Preparation WorkshopsMentoring Teaching Assistants and Substitute TeachersMentoring Student Teachers and InternsCreating Your Own Mentoring OpportunityChapter 5 ~ TEACH: Remember who you are.Poem ~ “The Teacher” by Rosemerry Wahtola TrommerIs Teaching Your Goal?Opportunities to ConsiderTeaching StudentsTeaching at a University or Local CollegeTeaching at Local Community CentersTeaching Online Courses and CurriculumSupporting Alternative Certification PathwaysExploring Department of Defense and International SchoolsApplying for Fulbright ScholarshipsCreating Your Own Teaching OpportunityChapter 6 ~ WRITE: Choose trust over doubt.Poem ~ “Passion Makes the Old Medicine New” by RumiWhat Do You Have to Say?Opportunities to ConsiderCreating a School NewsletterTaking NotesWriting Blogs and ArticlesReviewing Manuscripts for Book PublishersWriting GrantsParticipating on Evaluation Review TeamsWriting a Nonfiction Education BookCreating Your Own Writing OpportunityChapter 7 ~ CONSULT: Remember why you started.Poem ~ “You Reading This, Be Ready” by William StaffordIs Sharing with Others for You?Opportunities to ConsiderDelivering Workshops and Curriculum PresentationsSupporting Special Area TeachersSharing Wellness Strategies for All EducatorsCoaching in the Content AreasAdvising in Teacher Preparation ProgramsJoining National and International Professional OrganizationsBeing an EntrepreneurCreating Your Own Consulting OpportunityChapter 8 ~ INFLUENCE: Accept change and all of its possibilities.Poem ~ “The Road Not Taken” by Robert FrostWhere is Your Sphere of Influence?Opportunities to ConsiderBeing a Guest on a Podcast, Radio Show, or WebinarParticipating on an Education Foundation Board of DirectorsJoining Alumni Network CommitteesVolunteering at Local OrganizationRunning for the Local School BoardJoining a Department of Education State Review TeamTaking on a Teacher Union RoleCreating Your Own Influencer OpportunityPause and Reflect: What have you learned from Part II?PART III ~ MOVING FORWARD: TAKE ACTION!How Will You Know What to Do?Who Will Support You?Chapter 9 ~ Branch Out: What’s Your Action Plan? Be open to new adventures.Poem ~ “For Belonging” by John O’DonohueHow Do You Feel About Not Knowing?Time, Commitment, and EngagementCreating Your Action PlanTake ActionChapter 10 ~ Share Your Passion, Wisdom, and Experience: You are on the right path.Poem ~ “You Are a Poem” by Heidi Rose RobbinsWhat Are You Yearning for?Creating a Legacy Teacher NetworkHonor Legacy CyclesMy PoemCaring for Ourselves and OthersAppendicesAppendix A: Reading and Networking PlansOrganize a Legacy Teacher Book ClubHonor Legacy Teachers in Your DistrictDesign a Legacy Teacher NetworkAppendix B: Companion Website ResourcesLegacy Teacher JournalReading and Networking PlansVoices of Legacy TeachersPoem ReadingsMentoring in Action ResourcesTeacher to Teacher PodcastsTeaching with Light ResourcesReferencesRecommended ResourcesThank YousIndex