Teachers are always looking for ways to improve their craft and collaborate with colleagues. In the last 4 school years, many of our K-4 teachers have participated in at least 100 hours of professional development through book clubs. Together, we have read and studied 5 education-related books that have focused on curriculum, discipline, technology, and child psychology. The K-4 teachers who participated in these book clubs gained a lot of insight into new and different ways of connecting with our students academically and emotionally.
The first book study in the 2022-2023 school year was on the ever-pertinent topic of the Science of Reading. Our book, “Reading Above the Fray” by Julia Lindsey, describes research-based ideas on teaching young students how to read. The participants of this book study were able to relate the material to what they were seeing in the classroom. The teachers use Orton Gillingham as one of their core curriculums, which provides a solid foundation for phonics and reading skills.
Our second book study took place in the spring of 2023. Our book, “What Happened to You?” by Bruce D. Perry and Oprah was an emotional book that made us understand how trauma affects the way children behave. It was a very powerful and thought-provoking book that made us educators think differently about how our past will shape us in the present and future.
During the 2023-2024 school year, we discussed two books, “Glow Kids” by Nicholas Kardaras and “Hacking School Discipline” by Nathan Maynard & Brad Weinstein. “Glow Kids” was an astounding research-filled resource that discussed screen addiction in our student population. The biggest takeaway from it was the relationship between disorders like ADHD, anxiety, depression, increased aggression and the high usage of screen time.
Our “Hacking School Discipline” read was about using restorative justice practices with our students instead of antiquated school discipline tactics. It was a useful read on how educators can help students be more accountable and responsible for their own actions.
Our current book club has just started this January. We are reading and enjoying “Easy to Love, Difficult to Discipline” by Becky Bailey. This book ties perfectly into our school year because Greenville-certified staff members are being trained in Conscious Discipline. Becky Bailey has laid out this book for parents and educators as a manual to turn conflict into cooperation with our students. This book is a guide for adults to model appropriate reactions when their children are not behaving ideally. Becky Bailey includes the 7 powers for self-control, 7 basic discipline skills, and 7 values for living to help ourselves and our children be the best we can be in the everyday setting.
Our Greenville Elementary staff should be commended for taking extra time to learn new and improved ways of helping our student population. These books might not solve all our problems at school, but they instill thoughtful reflection during tough times with students. Good professional development is ongoing, and we will continue to learn through research-based practices and meaningful collaborative discussions between colleagues at our book clubs.
by Jessica Gorman, Assistant Principal
