This book is a must read for teachers, regardless of their position or experience. While reading the book, I felt like the authors were in the room with me, encouraging me to reflect upon my practices, challenging me to see beyond my group of students, and showing me how to take control of my own professionalism. It doesn't take long to read, and it isn't encumbered with difficult jargon. Read a chapter at at time, or read the whole book at once, either way you will easily reflect upon your own teaching situation, and you will come away from the book empowered with the affirmation you need to make a difference in your community and our profession.
—Patricia Braun (Oak Park, IL), 11/8/2009
As an NBCT, I sincerely encourage anyone who is looking to begin their journey in local or schoolwide empowerment to read this book.
—Trisha Dotts “faithful teacher” (Deer Park, WA), 2/1/2010
"It’s been a tough year for educators. Even the hardiest of teacher geeks can fall into ruts, holes, and downer experiences in their professional careers. We’re only human. It’s easy to get sucked into a Great Vortex of Teacher Negativity where suddenly, your once plucky, glass-half-full self is blaming administrators, the public, lack of money, or colleagues for your angst and you don’t know how to get yourself out of it. But the truth is, just like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, your ability to affect change is inside you all along. This book, 13 Steps to Teacher Empowerment: Taking a More Active Role in Your School Community, by Steven Zemelman and Harry Ross (Heinemann, 2009) can help you find your ruby slippers again."
---Nancy Barlow
Teacher Geek Book Reports
What’s so cool about 5th Grade?
