And Live the Relationship Habits of a Master Educator Breaking Bold: Dare to Defy the Tyranny of Trends 2020 1st Edition

I have been blessed enough to hear Weston K. speak at the Model Schools Conferences, and I found his book to be extremely readable with practical strategies that can be implemented in the classroom immediately.

Any educator knows that the best part of their day is when they connect with students on a human level. The work of educators is stressful stuff, especially as we figure out how to teach amid constantly changing circumstances (virtual, in-person but distanced, hybrid, etc.). It is the capacity to connect with our students, to see that spark of joy when they struggle productively through to success, to see them light up when learning something that stirs curiosity or perhaps a life passion in them that sustains us and keeps us motivated amid all the demands of our work.This book is a how-to to create more of those moments more often, with more (hopefully all) students, and among the students themselves. This book will make you laugh and cry—which seems to be a signature move of Weston's, and now Molly's, books. Educators must be lifelong learners if they are to remain effective. Weston & Molly have mercy on us! Because they write books that are fun to read—who doesn't love to laugh as they learn? They also share personal stories that are as relatable and moving as they are motivating to the reader to fold this book into their instructional practice.In addition to multiple moments of levity, this book is highly educational and utilitarian. The first 3 chapters contextualize the book. Weston & Molly make a neuroscience-backed case for why relationships must be the first priority of all educators and why ALL learning is, in fact, social and emotional learning. Healthy classroom relationships literally prime the brain for the deepest, most memorable learning.From there, they explain the Keating-Krabappel spectrum (a nod to Dead Poets Society and the Simpsons, respectively, as Weston & Molly love to use pop culture as a platform for engaging learning), which is a lightweight yet powerful tool teachers can use to assess their relationship-building skills and that students can use to assess your relationship-building skills. After all, to be bold is to boldly seek honest feedback from your students, as Weston & Molly say.In Parts 2 and 3 of the book, their 12 chapters are devoted to the 12 relationship habits of a master educator. The habits in Part 2 are those that serve to help students build "bold beliefs and behaviors"; that is, the mindset and thought patterns that will help students develop healthy self efficacy and a belief they can achieve big things. To the teacher, these are habits that will transform how you talk and engage with students to nurture relationships and promote their self-efficacy, as well as promote their own understanding of healthy relationships. The habits in Part 3 are more focused on how to support relationships, with and among your students, in instruction and learning.I've read tons of education books. This is one that will last and linger in your heart and mind. It gets inside and moves you. It makes you want to be a better educator. And it tells you how. It's also pure fun and a delight to read.This book will help you become a master of building and nurturing relationships in your classroom. But it cannot be ignored what this book can do for *you*—I'm newly applying what I've learned, but I can already tell that it will make the work of being an educator that much more fulfilling, fun, and gratifying. I cannot recommend it enough. Thank you Weston & Molly!

Do you want to create an environment in which students feel safe, supported, successful, and seen? Then you need this book! It is the perfect book to bring your school to the next level! We all know relationships matter but this book takes it to the next level. Breaking Bold is a useful, practical guide on how to transform those classroom relationships and your overall school culture . The Kieschnick’s timeless advice partnered with reflection scales and fun stories make this the perfect book for your next book study! And while you are ordering books, buy Bold School too! They are the perfect pairing!

Breaking Bold is one of the better education books I have read in my 25 years of teaching experience. The Kieschnicks perfectly explain what relationships are in an educational setting and how to build them. It is easy to tell new teachers they must build relationships with students but what does that mean? Breaking Bold details the 12 Habits of building relationships, like trust and vulnerability, within the context of teaching and learning.

Best line so far..”relationships are the ultimate old school wisdom of teachers”. You guys NAILED it when you wrote that when teachers make students feel positive about themselves and they know we (the teacher) truly care they then can learn. Can’t put the book down 😊

The need to focus on our students social emotional needs due to the COVID-19 virus has come more and more to the forefront of educational needs. Perfect book for this time.

All learning is social emotional. This book drives home the importance of relationships in cultivating meaningful blended AND social emotional learning. So good. So useful. So right on time.

Wes and Molly give such insight into teaching in today's classroom. This was a great follow up to Bold School. Another Must read...