PBIS Teach By Design: Implicit Bias

By: Dr. Erik Girvan, Univ. of Oregon School of Law

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Podcast reviewed by: Carrie McClure

Podcast Synopsis:

In this episode of Expert Instruction: The Teach by Design Podcast, the guest is Dr. Erik Girvan from the University of Oregon School of Law. Dr. Girvan's research focuses on how stereotypes, attitudes, and other biases might impact the decisions you make in schools. He joins the podcast to talk specifically about implicit bias: the automatic, unconscious associations we make about people and their social roles. Addressing the way these biases make their way into our school policies and procedures is exactly the kind of work we need to do in order to create supportive environments.

Why I Recommend This Podcast:

The importance of investigating our own unconscious bias is central to gaining ground in understanding how this can impact our district policies, procedures and practices that may inadvertently lead to disproportionate discipline and exclusionary practices.  Student voice and representation is critical in developing a climate that is inclusive and restorative.  How do we start this journey?

Reduce Change to Increase Improvement

By: Viviane Robinson 

Book reviewed by: Crystal Bryski

Book Synopsis:

 “The practical purpose of this book is to help system and school leaders to increase improvement while reducing ineffective change and innovation.  Whether change is thrust upon them or pursued through their own choice, I want to help leaders increase its payoff so that planned change is undertaken less frequently and, when it is, more successfully.”

Why I Recommend This Book: 

Processing Perspectives by Examining Beliefs, Biases, and Reality Through Stories

By: Steve Gill and Ushani Nanayakkara

Book reviewed by: Pam Kennedy

Book Synopsis:

At a time when educational communities are dealing with disproportionality in areas such as special education, discipline referrals, and access to gifted programs, it’s only wise to examine our belief systems and the role they play in any decision process.  Through touching short stories, the authors illustrate that our perspectives often don’t reflect reality. Only when we acknowledge how this disconnect limits our understanding can we move on to really exploring an issue and searching for solutions.   

Why I Recommend This Book:

Unlearning

By: Allison Posey and Katie Novak 

Book reviewed by: Steve Ramos 

Book Synopsis:

Unlearning, a 2020 publication by UDL gurus Allison Posey and Katie Novak challenges readers to think about what, why, and how they teach.  This book takes the reader through the “unlearning cycle” by exploring the importance of variability, knowing and clarifying goals for the lesson, transforming techniques we’ve used in the past, prioritizes student engagement, and scaffolds expert learning.  This book is essential for those on their UDL journey and provides exercises and examples that will help us all on our cycle to unlearn and learn again!

Why I Recommend This Book: 

The January book-of-the-month "Caffeinated Learning" , by Anne Benninghof, is a great professional development resource. This book is helpful for school leadership, coaches, or anyone involved in facilitating meetings, delivering presentations or webinars. 

This books' ease of use, straight-forward key takeaways, and reflective questions presented after each chapter is helpful.  I especially appreciate Anne's view of the adult learner as an integral part of the whole professional development process and the importance of interactive engagement. Reading this book generated new thinking, and rejuvenated the whole process of professional development. This book is a great tool for generating ideas in the delivery and planning of professional development.  Chapters are concise, delivering insight through humor, example and illustration. Key takeaways are summarized and the reader is drawn into participation through next-step questions. 

Beninghof's book is the perfect balance. She brings to the table extensive real-world experience doing professional development and a wealth of knowledge about best practices. In this book, Beninghof provides a concise but thorough guide that takes you from conception to implementation, seamlessly connecting research with practical suggestions to make our lives as trainers easier and create the most effective sessions possible.

Why I Recommend This Book:

The Distance Learning Playbook

By: Douglas Fisher, Nancy Frey, and John Hattie  

Book reviewed by: Liesl Blackwell

Book Synopsis:

The February book of the month is The Distance Learning Playbook: Teaching for Engagement & Impact in Any Setting Grades K-12. This Playbook is designed to walk educators through the identification of how best practices look in face-to-face learning as well as in virtual/distance learning. The central themes driving the work are:

• Teacher clarity and feedback is used to fuel students’ ability to become their own teachers (they are assessment-capable learners).

• Methods for measuring the impact of teaching are used to understand each student’s progress and achievement, with adjustments to teaching made accordingly.

• Investment in collaboration with adults and relationships with students is continuous.

The playbook is broken into modules: 

1. Take Care of Yourself

2. The First days of School

3. Teacher-Student Relationships from a Distance

4. Teacher Credibility at a Distance

5. Teacher Clarity at a Distance

6. Engaging Tasks

7. Planning Instructional Units for Distance Learning

8. Feedback, Assessment, and Grading

9. Learning, Distance or Otherwise

The modules are designed to move educators through a process that begins and ends with the standards, from analysis through assessment. The ultimate goal is to aid teachers in building a habit of mind for how it is that we systematically and efficiently analyze standards, build curriculum, teach, and assess, and to do it regularly for our instruction.

Why I Recommend This Book: 

Self-Care for Educators

By: Dr. Tina H. Boogren

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