Learner-centered classrooms rely on teachers who are willing to change and grow, and on school leaders who are willing to intelligently support them. Change is never easy, but teaching has never been easy, either. Its goal is too grand for ease.
The author's role in defining and popularizing differentiated instruction has made her one of the most influential voices in modern education. In this book, she illuminates the next step forward: creating learner-centered classrooms to help all students gain a deeper understanding of themselves, others, and the world. Join her as she explores principles and practices of learner-centered classrooms, including what it means for teachers to honor themselves, each learner, and the content they teach; how to assemble a curriculum that ignites students' imaginations and drives discovery; how to guide classroom experiences that develop the mind of each learner in accordance with that learner's marvelous individuality; and how to shape curriculum, assessment, and instruction to support both equity and excellence. Use this book's curated collection of strategies to reconnect with professional and personal aspirations, build an energized and mutually respectful classroom community, and deliver instruction that feels alive to you and your students. Examples from all kinds of learner-centered classrooms clarify what this approach looks like across grade levels and subject areas and confirm its viability in schools with budgets both big and small. A must-have touchstone for veterans, a beacon for middle-career educators, and a mission statement for those just beginning their careers, this book celebrates the commitment of teachers and the opportunity they have to help each young person in their care build a better future and lead a wonderful life.