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'A tool box overflowing with ideas that will help every staff developer craft a school culture hospitable to adult and student learning.'—Roland S. Barth, Author, Lessons Learned'The book speaks to many audiences, including instructional coaches, PLC leaders, action researchers and group leaders, and university professors working with action researchers and PLCs.'—Gail Ritchie, Coleader, Teacher Researcher NetworkFairfax County Public Schools, VA'A terrific resource for connecting teacher networks and action research to create powerful professional development opportunities. This book is a joy to read.'—Ellen Meyers, Senior Vice PresidentTeachers NetworkPowerful tools for facilitating teachers′ professional development and optimizing school improvement efforts! Professional learning communities (PLCs) and action research are popular and proven frameworks for professional development. While both can greatly improve teaching and learning, few resources have combined the two practices into one coherent approach.The Reflective Educator′s Guide to Professional Development provides educators with strategies, activities, and tools to develop inquiry-oriented PLCs. Nationally known school reform experts Nancy Fichtman Dana and Diane Yendol-Hoppey cover the ten essential elements of a healthy PLC, provide case studies of actual inquiry-based PLCs, and present lessons learned to help good coaches become great coaches. With this step-by-step guide, readers will be able to:Organize, assess, and maintain high-functioning, inquiry-oriented PLCsFacilitate the development of study questionsEstablish the trust and collective commitment necessary for successful action research Enable PLC members to develop, analyze, and share research resultsLead successful renewal and reform effortsBy combining two powerful training practices, coaches, workshop leaders, and staff developers can ensure continuous, robust school-based professional development.

'Uses metaphor to connect the reader in a personal way with the intricacies of mentoring—a powerful catalyst for reflection.'—Hal Portner, Educational Consultant'Sets the stage for the reader with a thoughtful, proactive context for carrying on the work of mentor.'—Tom Ganser, Director, Office of Field Experiences, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater'What the text does so well is enable mentors to deeply consider their role and how they live this role within their interactions with new teachers.'—Debra Pitton, Associate Professor of Education, Gustavus Adolphus CollegeDeepen your mentoring practice with this innovative new approach!Effective mentoring requires planned and mindful attention to the ways in which one′s knowledge, skills, and experience can be passed on to new teachers. Stressing the importance of deep reflection on one′s mentoring practice, the award-winning authors offer eight models/metaphors that mentors can customize to meet the individual needs of their mentees. Proven strategies and real-life stories help teacher educators, trainers, and mentors to:Meet the diverse needs of mentor/mentee relationshipsDevelop helpful mentoring toolsContinue to reflect, learn, and grow as mentorsThis resource is sure to inspire critical conversation and fresh insights among all mentors committed to professional growth for themselves and their fellow teachers.