Student motivation is frequently an issue in general music classrooms, and many long-standing theories designed to increase motivation have the opposite effect. This article introduces Self-Determination Theory, first developed by Edward Deci and Richard Ryan, as a theory of human motivation. A key element of Self-Determination Theory is the…

Now in a revised and updated second edition for today's changing K-12 landscape, this book gives instructional coaches an innovative framework for building strong relationships and enacting positive change in schools. Emphasizing a systems approach, Rita M. Bean and Jacy Ippolito explain the multiple roles of the coach as change agent,…

Being happy both at home and at work means we are not just cheerier, but more clear-eyed and effective at what we do. But happiness takes practice and ongoing contemplation. In this inventive new book--part professional development resource, part personal journal--educator, author, and podcaster Suzanne Dailey contends that "small shifts…

"Presence in the Online World: A Contemplative Perspective and Practice Guide for Educators" is an edited collection that addresses the question of how we can bring the insights of contemplative pedagogy into the space of online learning. While the digital space can be one of distraction and disconnection, contemplative pedagogy offers…

This practical resource offers a variety of facilitation moves and choices that one should consider when leading a virtual learning community. Do you facilitate a virtual learning community? Would you like to learn strategies and moves that ensure your participants have a valuable and meaningful experience? Protocols have been used in education…

Courses: Interpersonal Communication, Family Communication, Relational Communication. Objectives: The objective of this study is to engage students in identifying close relationships' costs/rewards, resources, and development by creating a visual representation using a tree metaphor. Students will reflect on their close relationships and apply…

In this activity, students individually rank 12 fictional individuals based on a description of them and their likeliness to survive the zombie apocalypse. There is no right answer, and as such, students will rank the fictional characters differently. Students must come together and determine the top six characters and provide rationales for their…

Grad programs in education teach you theory and pedagogy, but where do you learn the logistics of your new teaching role? In this unique book, Amber Chandler comes to the rescue as your friendly but honest mentor. She provides answers on everything new teachers need to know but are afraid to ask, such as how to build knowledge about the school's…

In this case study, we show how building and/or instructional leadership teams (BLTs and ILTs) were repurposed to meet the challenge of the global health pandemic and the racial unrest associated with the murder of George Floyd in 2020. We outline how anti-racist work flourished during this critical time in one school district and led to the…

There is limited research on how homeschooled children socialize and how homeschooling parents view their socialization practices. More research could help parents be more effective in providing socialization experiences to enhance homeschooling. This study was conducted to develop a better understanding of parents' perceptions of how…

"Teach with Confidence" aims to inspire new teachers to trust their ability to reflect and grow and have an improved sense of their own agency in managing dissonance. The exploration of domains weaves in stories and research from practitioners and scholars to show how beliefs, knowledge, and skills in building relationships are critical…

Based on the authors' collaborative work with K-12 public school teachers, this practical book offers an invitation to create dynamic learning opportunities in classrooms designed to challenge and support all learners. Because teaching contexts are always unique and shifting, we cannot rely primarily upon scripts, recipes, "best…

This article presents a framework that considers how relationships, representation, and respect can be prioritized, presented, and nurtured in early learning environments to support and foster equity and inclusion. This simultaneously supports an enhanced sense of belonging and creates an environment where students feel valued and respected. As an…

Too often, students sit compliantly in class and are not engaged in the learning. Acclaimed speaker and author Aaron Hansen uses compelling stories and a step-by-step framework to help educators become hero makers. These powerful classroom mentors empower students to break free of their self-limiting stories and fixed mindsets and experience a new…

Purpose: Guided by self-determination theory, this research examined cross-cultural differences in associations of students' perceptions of teachers' (de-)motivating approaches on Estonian and Spanish students' need satisfaction from a circumplex model. Method: The participants were 601 Estonian (56% girls) and 669 Spanish (52% girls) secondary…