A Quiet Education: Challenging the extrovert ideal in our schools: Challenging the Extrovert Ideal in our Schools

by Jamie Thom

A Quiet Education serves as an unashamed cheerleader for all that is quiet, challenging the myth that collaboration and noise should be at the heart of what happens in schools. It examines how we can ensure more introverted students and teachers can thrive and achieve their potential. It also explores why it is essential that all teachers begin to embrace quieter values in their classrooms and management of behavior, in sustaining their own wellbeing, and in their desire to reflect meaningfully and improve as a teacher. The final section is an exploration of quieter skills. How we can strengthen our students' metacognitive ability? Their ability to listen, pay attention, and focus? And the quality of independent work we do in the classroom alongside how we can motivate all our students.

Genres: Nonfiction, Education

224 pages, Paperback

Published June 16, 2020

Reviews

[Nadine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actually I read this nearly a year ago! A great affirmation for more introverted teachers and students & offers a counter-balance to the cheer-leading unnecessary levels of noise and loudness in education today.
I’m all for joy & exuberance - but at lower volumes!! Also provides lots of examples and links to fellow quiet educators on Twitter.

[Nicholas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not really just a day’s read but I wolfed down all the valuable nuggets in this as a introvert pretty much myself. This and his earlier Slow Teaching are well worth reading.

[A Severs · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really thorough but accessible look at how schools could be a better place for introverted children and teachers. However, recommended to all involved in education as it is a great showcase of how practices that benefit introverts will also benefit all.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really fascinating read about the challenges facing quieter pupils in our schools, and how we might act to remedy this through techniques and strong teaching. Highly recommend this quiet, careful consideration of these issues.

[Rachael Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would recommend to all quiet teachers/leaders and all of those who want to better support quiet staff and students.

[Carlene Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

The early chapters were especially good and some good explanations of psychological principles. It did go off track in the second half into a more generic good teaching description.

[Alice Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first part was excellent. Thought provoking and I’ve reflected and incorporated ideas. It then meandered a bit.