Do the work. Do it with care. This is a book about love. That is, the active, earnest, and intelligent pursuit of our neighbors’ good. Teachers embody this kind of love; we seek and serve the wholeness of others. At the center of this love lies Dave Stuart Jr.’s philosophy that every teacher of every subject area in our schools has the potential to enrich students’ lives long-term through the power of student motivation. From art and physical education to science and social studies—schools can make good on their promise and this book will show you how. Join Stuart in this personable journey by tackling student motivation through The Five Key Beliefs of credibility, value, effort, efficacy, and belonging Ten strategies for incorporating the Five Key Beliefs into everyday teaching Common struggles for each strategy and how to overcome them A companion website with additional resources, videos, and downloadables Do the work. Do it with care. These inspirational guideposts will help us all build a world in which all schools can be both productive and humane.

"Matthew Johnson, Dave Stuart Jr., and Matthew R. Kay have written a book to help navigate the burning questions early career teachers long to understand. From ways to build a community of learners to motivational instruction to feedback that works for students and teachers alike, these inspirational teachers share what it takes to craft a career for the long haul." - Andy Schoenborn, co-author of Creating Confident Writers: For High School, College, and Life Your guide to grow and learn as an ELA teacher! Let's face it, major shifts over the past decade, including pandemic-related challenges, have rapidly changed our ELA classrooms. New and experienced teachers can benefit from guidance on the fundamentals of what excellent teaching and learning of writing can look like. Friendly and practical, this book is a reminder of the things that matter most. Part of the Five to Thrive series for early-career educators, Answers to Your Biggest Questions About Teaching Middle & High School ELA offers solutions for any teacher who wishes to refresh their practice. Questions and answers are organized into five areas that will help you thrive in your classroom: How do I build a brave, supportive reading and writing community? How do I cultivate motivation? How can I ensure that my feedback and assessment are efficient, effective, and equitable? What does strong ELA instruction look like? How can I keep doing this for my whole career? The authors, all practicing ELA educators, provide solutions to the most urgent challenges teachers face in providing student-centered and efficient instruction. With an emphasis on equity, culturally responsive practice, and intrinsic motivation, the book focuses on the wellbeing of both students and teachers. You'll find accessible tips for immediate use woven throughout. Strive to be the best ELA educator you can; your students are counting on it!

In this essential resource, teachers will receive: Proven, classroom-tested advice delivered in an approachable, teacher-to-teacher style that builds confidence Practical strategies for streamlining instruction in order to focus on key beliefs and literacy-building activities Solutions and suggestions for the most common teacher and student "hang-ups" Numerous recommendations for deeper reading on key topics