The Thoughtful Teacher: Making Connections with a Diverse Student Population

by James D. Kirylo

Overview

A thoughtful teacher is one who works to foster an inspiring classroom environment where students fall in love with learning. Indeed, it is incumbent on the teacher to understand self, to be prepared, to possess command of subject matter, to teach in a developmentally appropriate manner, to mindfully incorporate culturally relevant practices, and to illuminate a sense of connection with a diverse student population. In that light, The Thoughtful Teacher: Making Connections with a Diverse Student Population highlights the critical importance of what it means to thoughtfully teach, emphasizing that a central aspect toward transformation in education is through the dedicated efforts of thoughtful teachers. Written in accessible language and making clear the important connection between theory and practice, this book is an informative text for teachers, teacher educators, school administrators, and those who have an interest in education.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781475855296
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	04/15/2021
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	232
File size:	520 KB

About the Author

James D. Kirylo is professor of education at the University of South Carolina. His books include Paulo Freire: The Man from Recife and Reinventing Pedagogy of the Oppressed, among other books and articles in a variety of professional journals.

Table of Contents

PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION

PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

INTRODUCTION

SECTION I: FROM THE INSIDE OUT

Chapter 1: An Earned Privilege

Chapter 2: Establishing a Philosophy of Education

Chapter 3: The Decisive Relevance of Dispositions: Reconciling the Private with the Public

Chapter 4: A Certain Spirituality of Inclusion

Chapter 5: Six Dispositions of Significance

Chapter 6: Reflective Thinking-Thoughtful Action

SECTION II: ENTERING INTO RELATIONSHIPS

Chapter 7: Hardwired to be in Relationship: A Thing of the Brain

Chapter 8: Fostering the Teacher-Student Relationship: From Right Where They Are

Chapter 9: Cultivating Dialogue

Chapter 10: The Flow of Integrity

Chapter 11: Other Relationships: Parents/Caregivers, Colleagues, and the Wider Community

Chapter 12: To be in Relationship is to Celebrate Diversity

SECTION III: THE GOAL IS TO INSPIRE (AN ARTISTIC ENDEAVOR)

Chapter 13: The Character of Inspiration

Chapter 14: Inspiration and the Autobiographical Nature of Teaching

Chapter 15: Inspiration Leads to an Artistic Act

SECTION IV: THE GLUE THAT IS EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY

Chapter 16: The Critical Relevance of Theory

Chapter 17: Paving the way Toward Child/Developmental Psychology: John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Chapter 18: An Overview: Behaviorism, Cognitivism, and Humanism

Chapter 19: Educational Psychology, Practice, and the Voices of Women and People of Color

SECTION V: FIVE COMPONENTS OF KNOWLEDGE

Chapter 20: Knowledge of Pedagogy and Knowledge of Classroom Management

Chapter 21: Knowledge of Learning, Knowledge of Students, and Knowledge of Subject Matter

SECTION VI: ASSESSMENT IS TO “SIT WITH”

Chapter 22: Two Different Processes: Assessment and Evaluation

Chapter 23: The Advent of a Testing Movement

Chapter 24: Moving into an Era of High-Stakes Testing

Chapter 25: The Resistance to Standardized Tests

Chapter 26: Emphasizing Formative and Portfolio Assessments

SECTION VII: TEACHER LEADERSHIP AND THE CHALLENGES

Chapter 27: Teacher as Leader

Chapter 28: Teacher Leadership and the Challenge of Poverty

Chapter 29: Teacher Leadership and Confronting a Culture of Violence: The Scourge of School Shootings and Bullying

Chapter 30: And How Are the Children?

APPENDICES

Appendix A: Derivative and Historical Unfolding of Inspiration

Appendix B: A Response to the Tylerian Rationale

REFERENCES

Editorial Reviews

A beautifully written book that reminds educators of the critical importance of thoughtful teaching. I believe that educators will find this book invaluable as they look to make connections with a diverse student population.

Nathaniel Bryan

The Thoughtful Teacher will inspire educators to make meaningful connections with students from all walks of life. It is written with a clear focus and with a deep sense of intentionality.

Todd Whitaker

In his latest book, Kirylo does an excellent job of inviting current and future educators to think critically about how they form both their philosophy and their practice of teaching into a thoughtful and dynamic pedagogy to holistically support diverse student populations. He identifies strong relationships and communication as the key foundational elements for creating dynamic schools and communities. Kirylo further indicates that in order to establish strong relationships all educators must work closely with students, parents/caregivers, and the community to develop the bonds necessary to further the mission of their respective institutions…. Using notable historical examples coupled with numerous suggestions for thoughtful practice, this book is bound to encourage robust discussion and prompt future research among educators who wish to cultivate mindful practices that support diverse learners. Essential.

Choice

With all the emphasis on learning, it is amazing how little thought is given to ‘where to start'. James D. Kirylo cuts through all the verbiage on education reform, and gives us a straightforward answer: Critical thought, focus and relationships are at the core. The Thoughtful Teacher: Making Connections with a Diverse Student Population gives us a sweeping review of both the big and small picture. A thorough compendium of what the new agenda should look like and do, Kirylo captures the core schema for what it means to be a thoughtful teacher.

Michael Fullan

Professor James D. Kirylo masterfully presents a gentle and yet inspiring call to teachers and teacher educators on their moral obligations to students in his text, The Thoughtful Teacher. His approach to a rich pedagogy through authentic relationships, fairness and social justice in the classroom is simply brilliant. This book is an open invitation to all educators to take up the challenge of serving equitable opportunity and access to all students with a wand of love and respect. This book should be on a must reading list for teacher education courses.

Basanti Chakraborty

James D. Kirylo is an educator not forestalled by the current neoliberal capitalist assault on public education. His work stands as a remarkable advance in social justice philosophy and teaching. If there is a book sorely needed in today's public arena, it is this one!

Peter McLaren

A beautifully written book that reminds educators of the critical importance of thoughtful teaching. I believe that educators will find this book invaluable as they look to make connections with a diverse student population.

In his latest book, Kirylo does an excellent job of inviting current and future educators to think critically about how they form both their philosophy and their practice of teaching into a thoughtful and dynamic pedagogy to holistically support diverse student populations. He identifies strong relationships and communication as the key foundational elements for creating dynamic schools and communities. Kirylo further indicates that in order to establish strong relationships all educators must work closely with students, parents/caregivers, and the community to develop the bonds necessary to further the mission of their respective institutions.... Using notable historical examples coupled with numerous suggestions for thoughtful practice, this book is bound to encourage robust discussion and prompt future research among educators who wish to cultivate mindful practices that support diverse learners. Essential.

James D. Kirylo is an educator not forestalled by the current neoliberal capitalist assault on public education. His work stands as a remarkable advance in social justice philosophy and teaching. If there is a book sorely needed in today's public arena, it is this one!

Professor James D. Kirylo masterfully presents a gentle and yet inspiring call to teachers and teacher educators on their moral obligations to students in his text, The Thoughtful Teacher. His approach to a rich pedagogy through authentic relationships, fairness and social justice in the classroom is simply brilliant. This book is an open invitation to all educators to take up the challenge of serving equitable opportunity and access to all students with a wand of love and respect. This book should be on a must reading list for teacher education courses.

The Thoughtful Teacher will inspire educators to make meaningful connections with students from all walks of life. It is written with a clear focus and with a deep sense of intentionality.

With all the emphasis on learning, it is amazing how little thought is given to 'where to start'. James D. Kirylo cuts through all the verbiage on education reform, and gives us a straightforward answer: Critical thought, focus and relationships are at the core. The Thoughtful Teacher: Making Connections with a Diverse Student Population gives us a sweeping review of both the big and small picture. A thorough compendium of what the new agenda should look like and do, Kirylo captures the core schema for what it means to be a thoughtful teacher.

From the Publisher