The Unfinished Teacher: Becoming the Next Version of Yourself

(Paperback)

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The Unfinished Teacher: Becoming the Next Version of Yourself helps educators to take an introspective look at their growth and development. This topic is timely due partly to the national teacher shortage and the rampant levels of burnout being reported nationally, including by the National Educators Association.

The intent of this book is to help teachers reclaim their why and to provide prospective teachers with a view into their professional future. As we continue to reimagine the value of a teacher, we must provide a guide for those in the profession to help them to remain unfinished.

Written as a self-help and teacher-focused leadership book, this book does not follow the typical form of an instructional or pedagogical guidebook. This is not a lesson planning book, though the book addresses the need for individual personal, professional, and interpersonal development. Our focus is on helping you create the next version of yourself.

Reviews

The key to sustaining joy is creating renewable growth of ourselves and others. Mike, Nick & PJ utilize their years of experience, their hearts, and their unflagging passion to exhort us to reinvigorate our pursuit of growth even when we feel tired or overwhelmed. By strengthening the educators and leaders, we find the entire community experiences quantifiable positive growth. -- Shawn Achor, New York Times best-selling author of The Happiness Advantage and Big Potential
The path of an educator is never the same and often a difficult yet rewarding journey. In The Unfinished Teacher: Becoming the Next Version of Yourself, we are asked to look within ourselves and reflect on what really brought us into education in the first place. To identify and reclaim our why while also challenging us with a call to action. Great teachers do not just sit on the sidelines watching the game being played. There are no shadows in education and for that we must reassess our teaching methods, assessment strategies, and ultimately what draws us into our schools and classrooms each and every year, which is our students. Bringing our best and making our game plan in the classroom fit the needs of our students. Not only becoming the next version of ourselves as educators but helping our students become the next and best versions of themselves as they build a love of learning. -- Jonathan Alsheimer, Teacher, Speaker, Author
The Unfinished Teacher is brilliant! It honors the role that growth and development must have in the success of a teacher. The authors begin with a powerful and inspiring charge: stay unfinished and [to] commit to becoming the next version of yourself! Each chapter provides a guiding question to help the reader think reflectively about the key principles as well as takeaways and discussion questions that serve as a clear pathway to reflect on and apply the core ideas presented. Unfinished Teacher honors and amplifies the privilege of being a teacher with the power to positively impact a childs life. As a former kindergarten teacher and current Dean of the National College of Education, I was particularly moved by these words This is it. This is the call to action. We collectively belong to the best profession in the world. On any given day we have the unique opportunity to change the trajectory of a childs life. However, if our teachers are collectively on the verge of burnout to the point their personal physical and social-emotional health is in jeopardy, then we must take action. Clearly, these authors care deeply about teachers and the field of education. They are undeniably aware of the challenges faced by teachers and have written this book to serve as a guide to navigating and growing in spite of those challenges. Unfinished Teacher is practical, honest, and refreshing. -- Dr. Carolyn Theard-Griggs, Dean of the National College of Education at National Louis University
In their engaging book, The Unfinished Teacher: Becoming the Next Version of Yourself, this powerhouse trio of educational leadersMike Lubelfeld, PJ Caposey, and Nick Polyakleverage their collective knowledge and extensive experience spanning over 100 years of dedicated service. This well-crafted book offers educators a treasure trove of insightful and actionable ideas, which foster personal reflection and promote self-growth through a unique blend of expertise and practicality. Whether you are at the beginning of your teaching career or have decades of experience, The Unfinished Teacher: Becoming the Next Version of Yourself is an invaluable resource that speaks to all educators. With its helpful insights and enduring messages, this is the type of book that you will return to repeatedly, regardless of your tenure in the field. -- Andrea Trudeau, school librarian
The Unfinished Teacher is a commonsense and immensely valuable response to the unavoidable truth that difficulty increases exponentially for teachers year after year. Lubelfeld, Caposey and Polyak remind us that personal growth and attention to ones physical, mental, emotional and financial health are essential for sustaining joy and learning over the duration of a career in education. -- Tom Philion, Ph.D., Dean, Daniel L. Goodwin College of Education, Northeastern Illinois University
In their book, The Unfinished Teacher: Becoming the Next Version of Yourself, Lubelfeld, Caposey, and Polyak do a great job of examining how to move to the next level as a teacher. I particularly like their exploration of the importance of being an effective teammate in education. They make a compelling case for the need to go beyond being a great teacher in the classroom and emphasize the significance of collaboration and collective efficacy. The discussion of autonomy, self-awareness, and the purpose of collaboration offers practical insights and tips for educators to reconcile their desire for autonomy with the need to work effectively as part of a team. Because as I always say, it is the best team that wins! -- Brad Johnson, keynote speaker and author

In the ever-evolving landscape of education, the need for continuous self-improvement as a teacher has become more critical than ever. With the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, shifting curriculum demands, diverse student behaviors, and the constant emergence of new educational technologies, classrooms today bear little resemblance to those of just a decade ago. As educators, we must recognize that while many of the skills and knowledge we acquired in the past remain relevant, a plethora of new competencies have become essential. The pace of change shows no signs of slowing down.

In The Unfinished Teacher: Becoming the Next Version of Yourself, the authors, distinguished and experienced voices in the field of education, offer invaluable insights into this reality. Their wisdom and foresight, honed through years of dedicated practice and continuous learning, illuminate the path forward for educators seeking to thrive in this ever-shifting landscape. With their remarkable expertise and collective voice, Michael, Nick and PJ inspire us to embrace change in order to view ourselves not as finished products, but as lifelong learners committed to growth.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to all educators. Its compelling narrative will undoubtedly ignite a renewed passion for professional development and empower you to adapt confidently to the changing educational landscape. Prepare to be inspired, challenged, and equipped with the tools you need to navigate the complexities of modern education. Embrace the call to become the next best version of yourself, and unlock your full potential as an educator.

-- Paul Solarz, author of 'Learn Like A Pirate: Empower Your Students to Collaborate, Lead, and Succeed', educator

Author Bio

Michael Lubelfeld, Nick Polyak, and PJ Caposey are three public school educators who have served as teachers, school administrators, and superintendents with nearly a century of service combined. Together with speaking, consulting, coaching, and writing, these three educators have thousands of hours of observation, co-teaching, and teaching as their foundation for the call to action in this book.
Michael Lubelfeld, Nick Polyak, and PJ Caposey are authors, presenters, superintendents, and friends. They are accomplished leaders who, like us all, are unfinished works in progress.