Creating Extra-Ordinary Teachers: Multiple intelligences in the classroom and beyond

Description

Creating ExtraOrdinary Teachers helps teachers identify and evaluate their unique profile of leadership skills and demonstrates the strategic use and development of those gifts both in and out of the classroom. Inspired by the stories of extraordinarily effective leaders around the world, it provides a framework for understanding how even "ordinary" teachers can identify, value and maximize the potential of their unique intellectual gifts. This book is focused on developing the leadership capabilities of educators, but the ideas and strategies apply equally well to corporate trainers, management developers and even parents, who are their children's first and most influential "teachers."

Branton Shearer is a developmental psychologist. He initially created The Multiple Intelligences Developmental Scales (MIDAS) in 1987 as a unique alternative to poorly designed, so-called MI tests. In his private practice he counselled adults, adolescents and their families to improve educational / vocational achievement and personal satisfaction. Branton Shearer conducts workshops for teachers and school administrators interested in implementing MI theory. He is an instructor at Kent State University, and presents the results of his research at both national and international conferences e.g Chile, Hong Kong, Ireland. The MIDAS assessment has been translated into Spanish, Chinese, Arabic and Korean and has been completed by over 25,000 people world-wide. It is being used in schools throughout the US and in Jakarta, Indonesia and beyond. Click here to listen to a WKSU interview on NPR with Dr. Shearer! Mike Fleetham is an educational trainer, author and consultant who specializes in the practical infusion of new teaching methods into real classrooms. He was a classroom teacher for 10 years and has been an assistant headteacher in a large inner-city primary school.

"Shearer has spent 20 years building upon the ideas of Gardner, creating the Multiple Intelligence Development Assessment Scales in 1987, and writing a few books and dozens of articles since. The MIDAS Profile has been described as 'the Swiss Army knife of self-assessments' that guides people to a deeper appreciation for their intellectual and creative lives." - feature in the Record-Courier, January 2009 "Branton Shearer, a psychologist with expertise in assessment, and Mike Fleetham, a master teacher and teacher educator, have combined their respective areas of expertise in teaching, leadership, and multiple intelligences. Their book is provocative, practical, and disarmingly personal." - Howard Gardner, Harvard University, USA "This book is not only a must-read for people who are involved in education and teaching, but for any aspiring managers, CFOs and CEOs. I thought I understood multiple intelligences in its theory, but never was confronted with such a realistic approach to putting it into practice and hence improving my own personal capabilities." - Count Andreas Graf von Faber-Castell, Director, Asia Pacific, A.W. Faber-Castell Pty Ltd., Australia "From the first page I was excited by the focus on MI in relation to extraordinary leadership. I can relate to all the wonderful ideas on leadership and being extraordinary, shared throughout the text...Thanks for writing this wonderful MI source. I can't wait to include it in my list of references for all my students in future!" - Pieter H du Toit, Department of Curriculum Studies, University of Pretoria, South Africa "The workbook is an easy read, the activities are quite helpful and the stories invite you to ponder upon your own profile and make choices that may lead to entirely different life plans. It is a matter of daring to take the risk, going out there and doing it. Thank you for the privilege of allowing me to rediscover myself." - Gisela Lammerts van Bueren, Professional Development Unit, Panama Canal Authority "I commend this book to every teacher and educational leader who wants to inspire and motivate their students to better understand their capacity as learners. This is a very readable, accessible and fascinating book that provides the modern day teacher with a practical framework to help them equip their students for their lives in the 21st century." - Richard Chapman, Somerford Primary School and Archbishop Wake Primary School, UK "I would recommend this book to all teachers, middle leaders and especially to senior leaders as it will ensure all of us and our children fulfil our unique potential." - Jon Le Fevre, Netley Abbey Junior School, UK