Professional development for educators: A guide for how to design and deliver instruction that ensures student learning at the highest level.
Professional development for educators: A guide for how to design and deliver instruction that ensures student learning at the highest level.
“Navigating the Labyrinth is a useful tool for teachers no matter where they are in their journey to help students learn. This book also has implications for educator preparation and school administrators to use as a blueprint to prepare, develop and support effective teaching. The Practical Matters at the end of each chapter provide guidance for comprehensive planning to put these realistic and research-based practices into actional steps that lead to student and professional growth. Navigating the Labyrinth is a must read for all who believe that teachers are instructional leaders and are the key to the changes we want and need in education.”—Janice Poda, Ph.D., Former Senior Consultant, Learning Forward
“The main point of the book is to go beyond acknowledging the importance of the individual teacher in improving lives of children, leading to a productive and vibrant society—it is to help teachers navigate the twists and turns (labyrinth) to reach that goal we all want.
Dr. Smith uses a conversational tone to make psychological and other findings natural and understandable. She makes it easy for the reader to understand key studies and their implications so the reader (whether teacher or administrator) can navigate the maze and barriers of what they face every day. The Practical Matters section of each chapter has valuable take-aways for the reader. For example, in chapter 7, Smith wrestles with the role of technology in the classroom and illustrates how the teacher can win. Teachers (and administrators who care about teachers and teaching) will really value this book.” -- Abraham Wandersman Ph.D, Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the U. of South Carolina and President of the Wandersman Center
“Shirley Smith provides a navigation tool and calls teachers toward adaptability and openness to change. Here are essential principles and practical tips on disposition, design, practice, and technology that aspiring student teachers can keep close throughout their careers and experienced teachers can employ in renewal of their teaching drive.-- Richard T. Hezel, PhD
Founder, Hezel Associates, LLC Research Evaluation Planning
"After decades of research and experience evaluating the modern classroom and the multitude of head-spinning influences on our education systems, Dr. Smith zeroes in on the core and source of necessary systemic change for improved instruction - the teacher—with metacognitive self-analysis as a starting point. Dr. Smith’s practical advice should be read and reread and followed if we want to move education from the 19th century to the 22nd.”—George Newman, Founder One Planet Education (OPEN)
