Deliberate Optimism

Still Reclaiming the Joy in Education
Second Edition
Debbie Thompson Silver - Education Consultant, Keynote Speaker, and Author, www.debbiesilver.com
Jack C. Berckemeyer - Director, Berckemeyer Educational Consulting Group
Deliberate Optimism
April 2023 | 224 pages | Corwin
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eBook
ISBN: 9781071889084
Available from January 0001
Paperback
ISBN: 9781071889053
Available from January 0001

Description

Even more ways for educators to flourish

A lot has changed in schools since Deliberate Optimism was first published, but one thing hasn’t: Attitude can make all the difference. When educators choose optimism—even in the face of the toughest challenges—they foster a school culture where students and staff feel safe, engaged, and productive, able to enjoy the healthy interactions that lead to real change.

Updated to address major changes in education since 2015, the second edition of this much-loved book features new doses of the same cathartic humor, plus

  • Revised, more succinct Principles of Optimism
  • Expanded focus on leadership
  • Updated strategies and thought-provoking scenarios
  • Interactive “Action Step” exercises
  • A new chapter on mental health
  • QR codes leading to additional resources such as self-assessments and videos

Optimism is the salve for overworked leaders and teachers, and this book delivers on outlining its indisputable benefits. Brimming with wit and honesty, the updated Deliberate Optimism demonstrates how changing your mindset can help you rediscover your motivation—and create a school environment bound for success.

Contents

Preface to the second edition

Preface to the second edition

Introduction: Choosing to Enter Education Is a Telling Vote for Optimism

  • Chapter 1: Principle #1: Gather Information
  • Chapter 2: Principle #2: Control What You Can
  • Chapter 3: Principle #3: Do Something Positive
  • Chapter 4: Principle #4: Own Your Part
  • Chapter 5: Mental Health Is Health
  • Chapter 6: “But We Have This One Teacher Who keeps Ruining Everything!”
  • Chapter 7: Building a Positive Shared School Community
  • Chapter 8: Joyful School Communities – The Sum of Their Parts
  • Appendix I.1 Life Orientation Test
  • Appendix I.2 Happiness and Optimism Tests
  • Appendix I.3 Life on a Roll
  • Appendix 1.1 Four Principles of Deliberate Optimism
  • Appendix 1.2 The 4 Principles of Deliberate Optimism Worksheet
  • Appendix 1.3 Realistic Awareness
  • Appendix 1.4 Recognizing and Celebrating Staff
  • Appendix 3.1 Tips for Writing Letters to Students
  • Appendix 5.1 Twelve Ways to Reduce Stress
  • Appendix 6.1 Ten Tips for Improving Interpersonal Relationships
  • Appendix 6.2 Life Is a Theatre
  • Appendix 7.1 Effective Team-Building Activities
  • Appendix 7.2 Student Accountability
  • Appendix 7.3 Loyalty
  • Appendix 8.1 Student-Led Conferences
  • References

Additional materials

Description

Even more ways for educators to flourish

A lot has changed in schools since Deliberate Optimism was first published, but one thing hasn’t: Attitude can make all the difference. When educators choose optimism—even in the face of the toughest challenges—they foster a school culture where students and staff feel safe, engaged, and productive, able to enjoy the healthy interactions that lead to real change.

Updated to address major changes in education since 2015, the second edition of this much-loved book features new doses of the same cathartic humor, plus

  • Revised, more succinct Principles of Optimism
  • Expanded focus on leadership
  • Updated strategies and thought-provoking scenarios
  • Interactive “Action Step” exercises
  • A new chapter on mental health
  • QR codes leading to additional resources such as self-assessments and videos

Optimism is the salve for overworked leaders and teachers, and this book delivers on outlining its indisputable benefits. Brimming with wit and honesty, the updated Deliberate Optimism demonstrates how changing your mindset can help you rediscover your motivation—and create a school environment bound for success.

Contents

Preface to the second edition

Preface to the second edition

Introduction: Choosing to Enter Education Is a Telling Vote for Optimism

  • Chapter 1: Principle #1: Gather Information
  • Chapter 2: Principle #2: Control What You Can
  • Chapter 3: Principle #3: Do Something Positive
  • Chapter 4: Principle #4: Own Your Part
  • Chapter 5: Mental Health Is Health
  • Chapter 6: “But We Have This One Teacher Who keeps Ruining Everything!”
  • Chapter 7: Building a Positive Shared School Community
  • Chapter 8: Joyful School Communities – The Sum of Their Parts
  • Appendix I.1 Life Orientation Test
  • Appendix I.2 Happiness and Optimism Tests
  • Appendix I.3 Life on a Roll
  • Appendix 1.1 Four Principles of Deliberate Optimism
  • Appendix 1.2 The 4 Principles of Deliberate Optimism Worksheet
  • Appendix 1.3 Realistic Awareness
  • Appendix 1.4 Recognizing and Celebrating Staff
  • Appendix 3.1 Tips for Writing Letters to Students
  • Appendix 5.1 Twelve Ways to Reduce Stress
  • Appendix 6.1 Ten Tips for Improving Interpersonal Relationships
  • Appendix 6.2 Life Is a Theatre
  • Appendix 7.1 Effective Team-Building Activities
  • Appendix 7.2 Student Accountability
  • Appendix 7.3 Loyalty
  • Appendix 8.1 Student-Led Conferences
  • References

Additional materials

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Deliberate Optimism

Still Reclaiming the Joy in Education

Debbie Thompson Silver , Jack C. Berckemeyer
Cancel Print

April 2023 | 224 pages | Corwin

Format Published Date ISBN Price
Paperback 01/01/2025 9781071889053 $40.95
Lifetime 01/01/2025 9781071889084 $37.00

Even more ways for educators to flourish

A lot has changed in schools since Deliberate Optimism was first published, but one thing hasn’t: Attitude can make all the difference. When educators choose optimism—even in the face of the toughest challenges—they foster a school culture where students and staff feel safe, engaged, and productive, able to enjoy the healthy interactions that lead to real change.

Updated to address major changes in education since 2015, the second edition of this much-loved book features new doses of the same cathartic humor, plus

  • Revised, more succinct Principles of Optimism
  • Expanded focus on leadership
  • Updated strategies and thought-provoking scenarios
  • Interactive “Action Step” exercises
  • A new chapter on mental health
  • QR codes leading to additional resources such as self-assessments and videos

Optimism is the salve for overworked leaders and teachers, and this book delivers on outlining its indisputable benefits. Brimming with wit and honesty, the updated Deliberate Optimism demonstrates how changing your mindset can help you rediscover your motivation—and create a school environment bound for success.


Table Of Contents:

  • Preface to the second edition
  • Introduction: Choosing to Enter Education Is a Telling Vote for Optimism
  • Chapter 1: Principle #1: Gather Information
  • Chapter 2: Principle #2: Control What You Can
  • Chapter 3: Principle #3: Do Something Positive
  • Chapter 4: Principle #4: Own Your Part
  • Chapter 5: Mental Health Is Health
  • Chapter 6: “But We Have This One Teacher Who keeps Ruining Everything!”
  • Chapter 7: Building a Positive Shared School Community
  • Chapter 8: Joyful School Communities – The Sum of Their Parts
  • Appendix I.1 Life Orientation Test
  • Appendix I.2 Happiness and Optimism Tests
  • Appendix I.3 Life on a Roll
  • Appendix 1.1 Four Principles of Deliberate Optimism
  • Appendix 1.2 The 4 Principles of Deliberate Optimism Worksheet
  • Appendix 1.3 Realistic Awareness
  • Appendix 1.4 Recognizing and Celebrating Staff
  • Appendix 3.1 Tips for Writing Letters to Students
  • Appendix 5.1 Twelve Ways to Reduce Stress
  • Appendix 6.1 Ten Tips for Improving Interpersonal Relationships
  • Appendix 6.2 Life Is a Theatre
  • Appendix 7.1 Effective Team-Building Activities
  • Appendix 7.2 Student Accountability
  • Appendix 7.3 Loyalty
  • Appendix 8.1 Student-Led Conferences
  • References

Recent Product Reviews:

You need to buy two copies of this book. One to keep on your desk so you can grab it when you need immediate strategies to handle the challenges that arise. The other to keep on your bedside table so you can read it again for comfort, reassurance, and encouragement. This is the book that will keep you in education . . . sane, calm, competent, and resilient.
Roselind Wiseman, Co-founder, Cultures of Dignity
This new edition is hardcore. Newly updated with their characteristic humor, real classroom examples, robust new research, action steps, and appendices worth the price alone, Debbie and Jack have outdone themselves. This is real aloe on the wounds and a bright lantern for the way forward to converting radical hope into effective educational practice while finding grounds for joy along the way.
Rick Wormeli, Teacher/Principal Training and Author
With Deliberate Optimism you will have everything you need to reimagine an environment of passion and purpose. It is an essential guide for achieving the best version of yourself! Every teacher and district team member should be given this book to help them accelerate kindness and caring in our schools.
Martinrex Kedziora, Superintendent of Schools, Moreno Valley United School District
This book serves as a beacon of hope. We sail forward guided by the positive momentum of these Principles and Action Steps to navigate the present challenges and prepare for those to come. Get on board for a joyful journey of deliberate optimism based on honesty, humor, and hope.
Stephen Sroka, National Teacher Hall of Fame Inductee Walt Disney American Teacher of the Year Fellow of the American School Health Association and Adjunct Assistant Professor, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University

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