Educating with Passion and Purpose
Keep the Fire Going without Burning Out
1. Edition April 2023
224 Pages, Softcover
Wiley & Sons Ltd
ISBN:
978-1-119-89361-5
John Wiley & Sons
Further versions
Stay engaged with your purpose to better serve your students--and yourself
In an era of sky-high burnout, Educating with Passion and Purpose gives veteran educators everything they need to thrive in their profession. This book will help you avoid the disenchantment and frustration that can come from doing the difficult work of K-12 education. You are in this field because you want to make a difference, but you often lack the support you need to do that amid overwhelming demands. Experienced educators themselves, authors Meredith Matson and Rebekah Shoaf speak the truth about what today's teachers confront--and how you can navigate the changing landscape to face the challenges and opportunities we encounter.
Inside, you'll find frequent opportunities for self-reflection on the topics that matter most to educators, including race, privilege, wellbeing, mentorship, and how to rise to the social-emotional demands that teaching asks. At a time when many teachers are leaving the field within the first years of their careers, Educating with Passion and Purpose offers you a way forward, so you can nurture your students and professional self.
* Gain perspective on why you teach and what matters most to you in your career
* Explore how race and identity impact interactions in your classroom
* Learn practical strategies for protecting your social and emotional energy and seeking help
* Find a new sense of inspiration in your teaching practice with hands-on activities and tools
This book is perfect for educators with three or more years of experience. It also offers crucial insights for pre-service educators, staff developers, and experienced teachers looking for ways to avoid career burnout and other pitfalls traditional teacher-training programs did not prepare them.
Introduction
Why We Wrote This Book
Who This Book Is For
How to Use This Book
Why Reflection Matters
Chapter 1: Finding Your Purpose
Meredith's Turn
My Why, My Drive
Pain and Loss
Becoming Invisible
My Drive for Leadership
Rebekah's Turn
Schooling vs. Learning
Finding My "Why"
Your Turn
Research to Help Excavate Your Purpose
Excavating Your Why
Refining Your Why
Amplifying Your Why
Connecting Your Why to Your Work
Exploring Your Ikigai
Meditating to Discover Your Why
Personality Tests and Purpose
The Roots of Your Purpose
Troubleshooting Your Purpose
Additional Considerations for Leaders
Helping Your Community Articulate Their Why
Finding Your Purpose as a Leader
Supporting Teachers in Understanding Purpose
Your School or District's Purpose
Asserting an Equity Stance
Chapter 2: Purpose and Burnout
Meredith's Turn
When Your Work Becomes a Job Rather than a Profession
What Feels Like Burnout But Isn't?
Searching for an Identity
What Do You Do When All You Do Is Complain?
Rebekah's Turn
Shift Happens
Losing My Prep Periods and My Purpose
Your Turn
Identifying Your Why Nots
Burnout Self-Assessment I
Burnout Self-Assessment II
Using the Burnout Spectrum
Identifying Possible Contributors to Burnout
Visualizing Your Own Fire
How Burnout Impacts BIPOC Educators
How Burnout Impacts Antiracist Educators
Additional Considerations for Leaders
Is Distributive Leadership Leading to Burnout?
What About Leader Burnout?
Chapter 3: What You Teach
Meredith's Turn
Bringing My Why Out on Day One
Developing Daily Lessons Infused with My Why
When Your Curriculum Leads You To Be Misaligned
Coaching Teachers Using Their Why
Rebekah's Turn
Designing for My Why
The Hazards of "High Expectations"
Designing for Transformation
Your Turn
Assessing Your Curriculum
Analyzing the Lessons that Resonate
What If You Hate Your Curriculum?
Standardized Tests Aren't Everything...But They Are Something
What If You're Still Learning Your Curriculum?
Additional Considerations for Leaders
Professional Development
Curriculum Design and Support
Chapter 4: How You Teach
Meredith's Turn
Gaining Respect and Building Authentic Relationship
Systems and Structures that Empower
Take Control of Planning
Rebekah's Turn
Keeping My Students' Reading Fires Going
Reframing Resistance
Your Turn
Assess Your Instruction
What If You Have to Use Mandated Instructional Methods?
Listening to Your Students
How's Your Sleep?
Connecting Instruction and Classroom Management
What If You're Still Learning How To Teach?
Additional Considerations for Leaders
Clear Structures and Expectations Help Everyone
Feedback Is Essential
Chapter 5: Being the Lead Learner
Meredith's Turn
Pushing Myself as a Learner
Professional Development Within the School Setting
My First Lesson as a Principal
Rebekah's Turn
Professional Learning that's Personal and Purposeful
Summer Schooling
Your Turn
Who Are You As a Learner?
What Do You Need to Learn to Fuel Your Purpose? How Do You Need to Learn It?
What Do You Have Control of When It Comes to Your Learning?
What if the PD at Your School Isn't Adequate?
What If You Just Need a Break?
What If You Need Time to Reconnect with Family and Friends?
What If You Need a Change of Scenery?
What If You Need to Earn Extra Money?
What If You Need to Provide Childcare?
What If You've Been Assigned a Mentor You're Not Learning From?
What If the PD Is Causing Your Burnout?
Reading to Learn
Additional Considerations for Leaders
Chapter 6: Finding Your Professional Home
Meredith's Turn
The Interview Process Can Tell You About Your New Community
Finding My Home
Rebekah's Turn
Doing the Hiring
Aligning People, Positions, and Purpose
Your Turn
Reflecting on Purpose
People, Not Positions
When You Want To Be Hired
Change Is Hard
Additional Consideration for Leaders
Creating Space to Connect and Explore Identities
Knowing What You're Looking For
The Transformative Process
Reflective Prompts for School Leaders
Building a Bench
Chapter 7: Nourishing Your Network
Meredith's Turn
Being the Younger Sister to a True Inspiration
Challenging Patriarchal Norms
The Power of Mentors Who Believe in You
Cultivating a Team and Helping Leaders Rise
My Teacher Champions
Rebekah's Turn
Team You
Who I Learn From
Who I Learn With
Who I Teach
Your Turn
People Plus Purpose
A Framework for Thinking About Your Network
What If You're Having Trouble Finding Mentors?
Additional Considerations for Leaders
Supporting Teachers Through Community
Make Coaching a Priority
The Staff Lounge
Conclusion
Meredith's Turn
The School Leader Within Me
Rebekah's Turn
Why I Left
Where We Go From Here
Your Turn
Where Do You Go From Here?
Appendix
Beginning of the Year Teacher Reflection Tool
Burnout Self-Assessment Checklist
Burnout Spectrum
Connecting School-wide Policies to Your Purpose
Excavating Your Why Reflection Tool
Fire Visualization Tool
The Five Whys
Intentional Summer Planning Protocol
Job Search Preparation Tool
Mentor Matching and Reflection
Modifying for Misalignment Tool
Network Reflection Tool
Planning Tool for a Sustainable Hiring Process
Preparing for Conversations about Equity
Professional Learning Reflection Tool
Purposeful Planning Tool for Professional Learning
Purposeful Planning Tool for Units and Lessons
Reflecting on Community Spaces for Collaboration
Reflection Tool for Burnout Factors
Reflective Tool for Designing Classroom Systems
Sample Student Feedback Survey
Staff Member Community Involvement Survey
Teacher-Led Inquiry Cycle for Professional Development
Time Management Tool
Back Matter
Acknowledgements
Meredith's Turn
Rebekah's Turn
Our Turn
About the Authors
Why We Wrote This Book
Who This Book Is For
How to Use This Book
Why Reflection Matters
Chapter 1: Finding Your Purpose
Meredith's Turn
My Why, My Drive
Pain and Loss
Becoming Invisible
My Drive for Leadership
Rebekah's Turn
Schooling vs. Learning
Finding My "Why"
Your Turn
Research to Help Excavate Your Purpose
Excavating Your Why
Refining Your Why
Amplifying Your Why
Connecting Your Why to Your Work
Exploring Your Ikigai
Meditating to Discover Your Why
Personality Tests and Purpose
The Roots of Your Purpose
Troubleshooting Your Purpose
Additional Considerations for Leaders
Helping Your Community Articulate Their Why
Finding Your Purpose as a Leader
Supporting Teachers in Understanding Purpose
Your School or District's Purpose
Asserting an Equity Stance
Chapter 2: Purpose and Burnout
Meredith's Turn
When Your Work Becomes a Job Rather than a Profession
What Feels Like Burnout But Isn't?
Searching for an Identity
What Do You Do When All You Do Is Complain?
Rebekah's Turn
Shift Happens
Losing My Prep Periods and My Purpose
Your Turn
Identifying Your Why Nots
Burnout Self-Assessment I
Burnout Self-Assessment II
Using the Burnout Spectrum
Identifying Possible Contributors to Burnout
Visualizing Your Own Fire
How Burnout Impacts BIPOC Educators
How Burnout Impacts Antiracist Educators
Additional Considerations for Leaders
Is Distributive Leadership Leading to Burnout?
What About Leader Burnout?
Chapter 3: What You Teach
Meredith's Turn
Bringing My Why Out on Day One
Developing Daily Lessons Infused with My Why
When Your Curriculum Leads You To Be Misaligned
Coaching Teachers Using Their Why
Rebekah's Turn
Designing for My Why
The Hazards of "High Expectations"
Designing for Transformation
Your Turn
Assessing Your Curriculum
Analyzing the Lessons that Resonate
What If You Hate Your Curriculum?
Standardized Tests Aren't Everything...But They Are Something
What If You're Still Learning Your Curriculum?
Additional Considerations for Leaders
Professional Development
Curriculum Design and Support
Chapter 4: How You Teach
Meredith's Turn
Gaining Respect and Building Authentic Relationship
Systems and Structures that Empower
Take Control of Planning
Rebekah's Turn
Keeping My Students' Reading Fires Going
Reframing Resistance
Your Turn
Assess Your Instruction
What If You Have to Use Mandated Instructional Methods?
Listening to Your Students
How's Your Sleep?
Connecting Instruction and Classroom Management
What If You're Still Learning How To Teach?
Additional Considerations for Leaders
Clear Structures and Expectations Help Everyone
Feedback Is Essential
Chapter 5: Being the Lead Learner
Meredith's Turn
Pushing Myself as a Learner
Professional Development Within the School Setting
My First Lesson as a Principal
Rebekah's Turn
Professional Learning that's Personal and Purposeful
Summer Schooling
Your Turn
Who Are You As a Learner?
What Do You Need to Learn to Fuel Your Purpose? How Do You Need to Learn It?
What Do You Have Control of When It Comes to Your Learning?
What if the PD at Your School Isn't Adequate?
What If You Just Need a Break?
What If You Need Time to Reconnect with Family and Friends?
What If You Need a Change of Scenery?
What If You Need to Earn Extra Money?
What If You Need to Provide Childcare?
What If You've Been Assigned a Mentor You're Not Learning From?
What If the PD Is Causing Your Burnout?
Reading to Learn
Additional Considerations for Leaders
Chapter 6: Finding Your Professional Home
Meredith's Turn
The Interview Process Can Tell You About Your New Community
Finding My Home
Rebekah's Turn
Doing the Hiring
Aligning People, Positions, and Purpose
Your Turn
Reflecting on Purpose
People, Not Positions
When You Want To Be Hired
Change Is Hard
Additional Consideration for Leaders
Creating Space to Connect and Explore Identities
Knowing What You're Looking For
The Transformative Process
Reflective Prompts for School Leaders
Building a Bench
Chapter 7: Nourishing Your Network
Meredith's Turn
Being the Younger Sister to a True Inspiration
Challenging Patriarchal Norms
The Power of Mentors Who Believe in You
Cultivating a Team and Helping Leaders Rise
My Teacher Champions
Rebekah's Turn
Team You
Who I Learn From
Who I Learn With
Who I Teach
Your Turn
People Plus Purpose
A Framework for Thinking About Your Network
What If You're Having Trouble Finding Mentors?
Additional Considerations for Leaders
Supporting Teachers Through Community
Make Coaching a Priority
The Staff Lounge
Conclusion
Meredith's Turn
The School Leader Within Me
Rebekah's Turn
Why I Left
Where We Go From Here
Your Turn
Where Do You Go From Here?
Appendix
Beginning of the Year Teacher Reflection Tool
Burnout Self-Assessment Checklist
Burnout Spectrum
Connecting School-wide Policies to Your Purpose
Excavating Your Why Reflection Tool
Fire Visualization Tool
The Five Whys
Intentional Summer Planning Protocol
Job Search Preparation Tool
Mentor Matching and Reflection
Modifying for Misalignment Tool
Network Reflection Tool
Planning Tool for a Sustainable Hiring Process
Preparing for Conversations about Equity
Professional Learning Reflection Tool
Purposeful Planning Tool for Professional Learning
Purposeful Planning Tool for Units and Lessons
Reflecting on Community Spaces for Collaboration
Reflection Tool for Burnout Factors
Reflective Tool for Designing Classroom Systems
Sample Student Feedback Survey
Staff Member Community Involvement Survey
Teacher-Led Inquiry Cycle for Professional Development
Time Management Tool
Back Matter
Acknowledgements
Meredith's Turn
Rebekah's Turn
Our Turn
About the Authors
Praise for Educating with Passion and Purpose
"Educating with Passion and Purpose is a useful new companion to resources on teacher wellness. The authors' personal stories are relatable and will provide insight for readers into their own desires to contribute meaningfully to education."
--Elena Aguilar, author of Onward: Cultivating Emotional Resilience in Educators
"Whether outdated curriculum, lack of professional development, or boundary-setting challenges, the path to burnout can be all too clear. Within this book, there are practical tools, engaging anecdotes, and research-backed strategies to reflect and rejuvenate--and fall in love with teaching again."
--Maia Heyck-Merlin, author The Together Teacher and The Together Leader
"For nearly fifteen years I've learned alongside Meredith and Rebekah, and I continue to learn from them through the pages of this book. They interweave their personal journeys with practical tips for educators in a way that truly gets to the heart of the matter: it's all about purpose. Teacher educators, teachers, and school leaders alike will identify, reflect, and improve their practice by engaging with the personal stories and reflective prompts in this book."
--Kristen Hawley Turner, Ph.D., Professor and Director of Teacher Education, Drew University
"This book is truly an inspiration to anyone fortunate enough to read it. The insightful advice, relatable experiences shared, and the encouragement and resources offered to overcome obstacles, make it applicable and useful for all educators--at any level in their careers. Through tears, smiles, and head nods in agreement, there is no doubt that this book will help unlock your 'why' and motivate you to grow as an educator."
--Shelby Sprung, Special education teacher, P94m
"Teachers, leaders, and anyone who works in education will benefit from Educating with Passion and Purpose: Keep the Fire Going without Burning Out. The stories, wisdom, and reflective activities will support educators to sustain and evolve throughout their career."
--Alexis Goldberg, Managing Director of School Support, The Urban Assembly
"Reading Meredith and Rebekah's stories reminded me not only of what I loved about learning in the classroom everyday with students, but also that this daily work is something I believe to be sacrosanct and the leader's duty to support and protect. When you are a district leader, it's easy to get caught up in the daily political and operational work that doesn't feel quite so sacred; reading their powerful narratives has inspired me to reconnect to my 'why' and to try and ground my daily work more explicitly with it in mind. This book could not have come at a better time."
--Carolyn Yaffe, Executive Director of Valley Charter Schools, California
"With the engaging voices of experienced teachers and leaders, the authors provide an insightful and pragmatic guide for educators who are questioning their purpose or facing burnout."
--Marshall A. George, Olshan Professor of Clinical Practice at Hunter College of the City University of New York
"Rebekah and Meredith provide a candid look at preventing and healing from teacher burnout and do so through personal story-telling that will draw you in in a deeply captivating way and will provide current and future educators with specific and equitable strategies to combat a very real problem in our field. Educators at all levels should pick up this book and learn from the infinite wisdom!"
--Carlos Beato, Ed.D., Co-Director of Next Generation Learning Challenges
"In the midst of a national teacher shortage, Matson and Shoaf provide a critical contribution to the discussion about how we retain, sustain, and reinvigorate educators -- by reconnecting with their purpose! Educators from the district office to the classroom should take note of these practical ideas for transforming experience and avoiding burnout."
--Jeffrey Garrett, Founder of JM Garrett Learning Group and Sr. Vice President of Leadership Development, The Partnership for Los Angeles, Schools
"In Educating with Passion and Purpose, Matson and Shoaf combine their extensive experience to create an invaluable resource for teachers and the leaders who support them. This book combines the power of personal narrative with practical reflection exercises and resources to help teachers build careers, curriculums, and communities grounded in purpose and filled with passion."
--Ivelisse Ramos Brannon, Former High School English Teacher, Curricular Consultant, and Ph.D. Student at Harvard University
"A thoughtful, heartfelt, and comprehensive guide--I'll be giving to every teacher I know."
--Jessica Murnane, Author of One Part Plant and Know Your Endo
"With compelling personal narratives and a plethora of practical suggestions, these veteran teacher-leaders provide educators at all levels practical and valuable examples of how to maintain energy and commitment in the classroom. Given the post-Covid education landscape, this book is required reading for everyone working in schools."
--Bil Johnson, Retired Public School Teacher Educator and author of The Student-Centered Classroom Handbook and Right Time, Right Places
"As former teacher, school founder and district administrator, I can honestly say that I've not read a book that more clearly, succinctly and powerfully provides a framework for both the struggle and possibility that exists in education. This should be required reading for everyone in the field, as it realistically regrounds the work in purpose and passion, while acknowledging the challenges."
--David Weinberg, Former New York City School Founder
"The question of how to develop and retain educators represents one of the most pressing challenges facing education today. Weaving their personal stories into generalizable insights about the nature of teaching and learning, Matson and Shoaf create opportunities for each reader to reflect on their passions, while reconnecting us to our common sense of purpose as educators and reigniting our belief in the power of education for all students. Educating for Passion and Purpose is a must read for every educator who seeks to rekindle the flame fueling our professional capacities as stewards of tomorrow's leaders."
--David Adams, Chief Executive Officer, The Urban Assembly
"Educating with Passion and Purpose is a useful new companion to resources on teacher wellness. The authors' personal stories are relatable and will provide insight for readers into their own desires to contribute meaningfully to education."
--Elena Aguilar, author of Onward: Cultivating Emotional Resilience in Educators
"Whether outdated curriculum, lack of professional development, or boundary-setting challenges, the path to burnout can be all too clear. Within this book, there are practical tools, engaging anecdotes, and research-backed strategies to reflect and rejuvenate--and fall in love with teaching again."
--Maia Heyck-Merlin, author The Together Teacher and The Together Leader
"For nearly fifteen years I've learned alongside Meredith and Rebekah, and I continue to learn from them through the pages of this book. They interweave their personal journeys with practical tips for educators in a way that truly gets to the heart of the matter: it's all about purpose. Teacher educators, teachers, and school leaders alike will identify, reflect, and improve their practice by engaging with the personal stories and reflective prompts in this book."
--Kristen Hawley Turner, Ph.D., Professor and Director of Teacher Education, Drew University
"This book is truly an inspiration to anyone fortunate enough to read it. The insightful advice, relatable experiences shared, and the encouragement and resources offered to overcome obstacles, make it applicable and useful for all educators--at any level in their careers. Through tears, smiles, and head nods in agreement, there is no doubt that this book will help unlock your 'why' and motivate you to grow as an educator."
--Shelby Sprung, Special education teacher, P94m
"Teachers, leaders, and anyone who works in education will benefit from Educating with Passion and Purpose: Keep the Fire Going without Burning Out. The stories, wisdom, and reflective activities will support educators to sustain and evolve throughout their career."
--Alexis Goldberg, Managing Director of School Support, The Urban Assembly
"Reading Meredith and Rebekah's stories reminded me not only of what I loved about learning in the classroom everyday with students, but also that this daily work is something I believe to be sacrosanct and the leader's duty to support and protect. When you are a district leader, it's easy to get caught up in the daily political and operational work that doesn't feel quite so sacred; reading their powerful narratives has inspired me to reconnect to my 'why' and to try and ground my daily work more explicitly with it in mind. This book could not have come at a better time."
--Carolyn Yaffe, Executive Director of Valley Charter Schools, California
"With the engaging voices of experienced teachers and leaders, the authors provide an insightful and pragmatic guide for educators who are questioning their purpose or facing burnout."
--Marshall A. George, Olshan Professor of Clinical Practice at Hunter College of the City University of New York
"Rebekah and Meredith provide a candid look at preventing and healing from teacher burnout and do so through personal story-telling that will draw you in in a deeply captivating way and will provide current and future educators with specific and equitable strategies to combat a very real problem in our field. Educators at all levels should pick up this book and learn from the infinite wisdom!"
--Carlos Beato, Ed.D., Co-Director of Next Generation Learning Challenges
"In the midst of a national teacher shortage, Matson and Shoaf provide a critical contribution to the discussion about how we retain, sustain, and reinvigorate educators -- by reconnecting with their purpose! Educators from the district office to the classroom should take note of these practical ideas for transforming experience and avoiding burnout."
--Jeffrey Garrett, Founder of JM Garrett Learning Group and Sr. Vice President of Leadership Development, The Partnership for Los Angeles, Schools
"In Educating with Passion and Purpose, Matson and Shoaf combine their extensive experience to create an invaluable resource for teachers and the leaders who support them. This book combines the power of personal narrative with practical reflection exercises and resources to help teachers build careers, curriculums, and communities grounded in purpose and filled with passion."
--Ivelisse Ramos Brannon, Former High School English Teacher, Curricular Consultant, and Ph.D. Student at Harvard University
"A thoughtful, heartfelt, and comprehensive guide--I'll be giving to every teacher I know."
--Jessica Murnane, Author of One Part Plant and Know Your Endo
"With compelling personal narratives and a plethora of practical suggestions, these veteran teacher-leaders provide educators at all levels practical and valuable examples of how to maintain energy and commitment in the classroom. Given the post-Covid education landscape, this book is required reading for everyone working in schools."
--Bil Johnson, Retired Public School Teacher Educator and author of The Student-Centered Classroom Handbook and Right Time, Right Places
"As former teacher, school founder and district administrator, I can honestly say that I've not read a book that more clearly, succinctly and powerfully provides a framework for both the struggle and possibility that exists in education. This should be required reading for everyone in the field, as it realistically regrounds the work in purpose and passion, while acknowledging the challenges."
--David Weinberg, Former New York City School Founder
"The question of how to develop and retain educators represents one of the most pressing challenges facing education today. Weaving their personal stories into generalizable insights about the nature of teaching and learning, Matson and Shoaf create opportunities for each reader to reflect on their passions, while reconnecting us to our common sense of purpose as educators and reigniting our belief in the power of education for all students. Educating for Passion and Purpose is a must read for every educator who seeks to rekindle the flame fueling our professional capacities as stewards of tomorrow's leaders."
--David Adams, Chief Executive Officer, The Urban Assembly
Meredith Matson is Principal at the Urban Assembly School of Design and Construction in New York. In her twenty-one years as an educator, she has also been a teacher, assistant principal, mentor to new teachers, history department chair, and grade-team leader.
Rebekah Shoaf has been an educator for twenty years and is the CEO of the educational consulting firm What If Schools. She is also founder and owner of Boogie Down Books, a bookstore-without-walls(r) for kids, teens, families, and educators.
Rebekah Shoaf has been an educator for twenty years and is the CEO of the educational consulting firm What If Schools. She is also founder and owner of Boogie Down Books, a bookstore-without-walls(r) for kids, teens, families, and educators.
