Teaching for Success

Brad Olsen is Professor of Education at the University of California, Santa Cruz, USA. A former high school teacher and administrator, he is a recipient of the 2007 UCSC Excellence in Teaching Award. His previous books include Teaching What They Learn, Learning What They Live: How Teachers’ Personal Histories Shape Their Professional Development.

“A teacher’s life is one of continuous change and adaptation. In this insightful and accessible blend of narrative and theory, Olsen skillfully explores how teachers develop their identity and how they make critical inquiry a part of their daily life.” —Stephen Brookfield, author of The Skillful Teacher *Praise for The Teacher’s Toolkit* “Books about teaching seldom combine theory, research, practice, and inspiration, but that is precisely what The Teacher’s Toolkit series does. Seasoned educators and researchers explore the profession of teaching through social justice and efficacy. University faculty, their students, and new teachers will cherish these books, while veteran teachers will develop new insights from them.” —Sonia Nieto, University of Massachusetts, Amherst “This series renders complex ideas not only intelligible, but also meaningful. The authors brilliantly weave together theory and research, vision, and vivid examples. Teacher-readers will find themselves respected as intellectuals, and empowered as leaders.” —Christine Sleeter, California State University-Monterey Bay “When we reflect on our careers, we undoubtedly ask whether the choices we made were the best for bringing about a new society. Here is a collection of theoretically cohesive books, all of them integrating research and heart felt understanding. The books carry the polyphonic voices of the individual volumes, and most importantly, they are in sync in purpose, in passion, and in thoughtfulness about how to make our world a better place for all children.” —María E. Torres-Guzmán, Teachers College, Columbia University “The concerns of twenty-first-century teachers are significant, varied, and urgent. Addressing them as part of professional socialization and further professional development has never been more important. The Teacher’s Toolkit does just that. Using powerful tools of inquiry, narrative, critical reflection, and analysis, these books help new and experienced teachers to achieve balance and perspective in their professional and personal lives.” —Susan Florio-Ruane, Michigan State University

• Foreword by Eric Howard HabeggerAcknowledgmentsChapter One: The Complexities of TeachingChapter Two: Knowledge, Learning, and Identity for TeachersChapter Three: Combining the Personal and the Professional in Teaching: An ExampleChapter Four: Leveraging Your Teacher Identity into a Successful Professional SelfChapter Five: The Human Dimensions of Teaching and IdentityChapter Six: The Political Dimensions of Teaching and IdentityChapter Seven: Teacher Identity and the Contemporary Landscape of TeachingAppendix: Your Teacher Identity WorksheetAbout the AuthorReferencesIndex