Positive Mindset Habits for Teachers: 10 Steps to Reduce Stress, Increase Student Engagement and Reignite Your Passion for Teaching

by Grace Stevens

Do you dream about increased student engagement and more effective classroom management ? How about reducing teacher stress and overwhelm? Or leaving campus at a reasonable hour without dragging a cart full of lesson planning and papers to grade in tow? If the answer to these questions is “Yes!” then this book is for YOU! Based on current research in positive psychology and more than 15 years “real world” experience in the classroom, this book provides a practical roadmap to reduce stress, improve student behavior and be happier in your classroom and your life. These 10 simple positive mindset habits train you to flex your “happy muscle” and A quick read in a conversational tone, this book will put a smile back on your face and laughter back in your classroom – two critical elements for teacher fulfillment and student success. *** For a LIMITED TIME your purchase INCLUDES a free download of the 30 page Companion Workbook and a six-week version of the Positive Mindset Journal for Teachers ***

Genres: Education, Teaching, Professional Development, Nonfiction

182 pages, Paperback

Published April 14, 2018

Reviews

[Kayla Fauber]

When asked to choose a book to read for a summer teacher's assignment I was trying to decide what I needed help with the most in my everyday classroom setting and life. I was intrigued by this book mainly because it had mentioned not only working toward a positive mind set, but also how to create habits for things to become a typical life style. I feel like stress is one of the hardest things to overcome throughout the school year with deadlines and constant attention to addressing student needs.
My first few years of teaching I had a very strong passion to change the education system and to help students who might not have the appropriate background or home support. I was driven and put in hours upon hours of work trying to make my lessons fun and engaging and trying to develop differentiated lessons that would apply the the impossibly large range of students that I had. I had tried to arrange a classroom, that was made to hold 19 students max, to hold 30 to 33 students and be efficient. Classroom management was even harder when you are smashed like sardines. All in all I had lost my love for teaching and was finding it harder and harder to find motivation to be that passionate person. The best part about this book is that it addresses solutions for all of those problems that we face as teachers that we definitely do not have control over. It breaks down the different types of set backs we encounter in our lives as teachers and creates a management plan to develop habits to avoid fixating on the things we wish we had and to focus on the small rewards we accomplish daily.
When the author was addressing each step initially I found myself relating to the problems she had used as examples. She pin pointed the problem, described why we find ourselves in that situation, and what habits to start working on to move away from that fixation and be overall more happy in work and in life. I thought it was a great read and I strongly recommend it for any of those who are looking to rekindle that fire that they may have lost.

[Meg]

Professional Development

[Carly McElhaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book for Professional Development and definitely did not expect to like it as much as I did! 5 stars may be a bit of a stretch, but it definitely tops all books I’ve read for PD. While much of it was things we as teachers have already been told (sometime multiple times), the way it’s delivered in this book really makes it stick. I took many ideas from this book not only to implement with my students, but also for myself. The layout of the book made it a quick, easy read that I would recommend to all teachers!

[Kelley Ackermann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book! It had practical and helpful ideas that are easy to implement!

[Craig Carignan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good read, much better then most other "teacher" books I've read.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me, this book was filled with a lot of ideas and things I already do in my daily life. It was a great reminder though of focusing on what is really important, taking care of your own happiness first.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Realistically 4 stars, but I thought this was going to be toxic positivity and it wasn't. I am going 5 stars for being a book that says: yes there's problems in education, but if you aren't leaving education and plan to stick with the career path you are on, here are some ways to make the most of that path. I'm also very pleased to see a book telling teachers to set boundaries and say no to extra assignments unless they really want to do those extra assignments. Lots of ideas I already know about or implement, but put into the context of teaching. I'd like to do the workbook as well. Really enjoyed it.

[Pamela S. Lamont · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don't waste your money on this book. Nothing novel in this book. Most teachers could write this book. Information in book i self-evident if you've taught for any length of time. She simply copied others' ideas. No "rocket science" concepts in this book! Save your money!

Don't waste your money on this book. Nothing novel in this book. Most teachers could write this book. Information in this book is self-evident if you've taught for any length of time. The author simply copied others' ideas. There's no "rocket science" to this book. Save your money! Wish I had!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

These mindsets are all great reminders for teachers to live their best teacher (& general!) life! I loved brain breaks for all (habit 3), a rampage of gratitude (habit 4), and ESPECIALLY the last habit on work/life balance! “While teaching can be a very rewarding and fulfilling part of our life, it shouldn’t be our entire life.” It even included a tool that I may use to measure balance in my capstone project!! Thanks for the wisdom, Grace!!

[Deshea Surratt · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a newish teacher, I have started to feel the weight of stress and being overwhelmed. As stated in the book, we are often voluntold for events and activities. On top of the workload we already have, this can really burn you out. I am focusing on being happier in the new year and I’m glad I picked this up to get me in the mindset.

[Rachelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the better teacher-centered books I have read in a long time. Provided structured and specific ways to deal with work/life balance by getting using a happiness lens. Happy teachers equals happy students and the positive loop that creates. Absolutely true. The workbook and journal were also helpful and supportive in processing the ideas. Great to read with first year teachers!

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

recommendation for teachers

I have found this book full of good sensible ideas. I wish I had read it last year.i have been putting into practice noticing 5 things on the way from my car to my classroom in the morning. It makes me feel more in tune with what is happening around me.

[Ann Perreau · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this and working through the exercises for developing a positive mindset and keeping work/life balance as an educator. It is easy to get caught up in negative emotions with students, higher education, but this books does a nice job of recentering reactions and setting the stage for finding happiness in our work.

[JB · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read!

Like most educators my schedule is packed and I rarely have time to read for pleasure. I’m taking a class and this was on a suggested book list. I enjoyed every chapter and I’m about to reread the book to identify strategies that resonate with me. Would highly recommend.

[Deryll Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy read packed with real information from an experienced esucator. The workbook and journal are an added bonus to help you plan, organize and reflect your daily thoughts and intentions. Refreshing!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Practical and informative

This book has given me a lot to think about as well as many practical, realistic ideas to try. I appreciated that the author was an actual teacher who understands the demands and joys of the classroom. Highly recommended for teachers!

[Lindsey Hollaar · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I loved the strategies and inspiration in this book, the grammatical errors made it hard for me to read. The book is for teachers and written by a teacher. I guess my grammatical and spelling expectations are extremely high.

[Monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an “okay” read. I needed it because it had a lot of reminders that I needed after this EXTREMELY HARD AND LONG semester of teaching. However, I think this book is best for first/second year teachers. It would have helped me a lot as a new teacher. Most of the tips are things that experienced teachers have already learned.

There were also a lot of typos/errors. 😐

[Jessika Rowley-Sandhu · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciated: common sense, a gathering of information and resources into one digestible book

I wanted: better proofreading and thus less distraction, more ideas for secondary school. I found the difference was acknowledged but often glossed over.

[Jacey Hanssen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked the professional development this book gave. I’m glad to read this book and have a few quotes to relate and take away from. Excited to go back and read this again in 5 years to see if I have the same thoughts.

[Kaitlin Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick easy read with tools and reminders for the tough parts of the school year. Recommend it for all that work in schools, with children, or need help keeping their mindset positive during more challenging times of the year

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has some practical suggestions to get the joy back in my teaching.

[Scott Neth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome Read

Every teacher needs to read this and practice the skills. I plan to share it with all my teacher friends.

[Chrissy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the online resources more than keeping a copy of the book. Good ideas though.

[Amy Girard · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read with practical advice.

[Edith Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the most effective gifts we can give our students is presence.

[Lis · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read for anyone working in education!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel inspired for the coming school year with new positive mindsets and productive goals after reading this book. Be sure to download and utilize the workbook. Really enjoyed it!

[Paige Lacker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is engaging and so REAL. I think every teacher should read this.

[Alissa · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book came off cheesy and unrealistic and left me feeling like a terrible teacher and human.