RIDINGS the WAVE
Teacher Strategies for Navigating Change and Strengthening Key Relationships
JEREMY S. ADAMS
Copyright © 2020 by Solution Tree Press
Materials appearing here are copyrighted. With one exception, all rights are reserved. Readers may reproduce only those pages marked “Reproducible.” Otherwise, no part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without prior written permission of the publisher.
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Adams, Jeremy S., 1976- author.
Title: Riding the wave : teacher strategies for navigating change and strengthening key relationships / Jeremy S. Adams.
Other titles: Teacher strategies for navigating change and strengthening key relationships
Description: Bloomington, Indiana : Solution Tree Press, 2020. | Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2019044271 (print) | LCCN 2019044272 (ebook) | ISBN 9781949539592 (Paperback) | ISBN 9781949539608 (eBook)
Subjects: LCSH: Effective teaching. | Teacher effectiveness. | Teachers--Professional relationships--United States. | Teacher-student relationships.
Classification: LCC LB1025.3 .A374 2020 (print) | LCC LB1025.3 (ebook) | DDC 371.102--dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019044271
LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019044272
Solution Tree
Jeffrey C. Jones, CEO
Edmund M. Ackerman, President
Solution Tree Press
President and Publisher: Douglas M. Rife
Associate Publisher: Sarah Payne-Mills
Art Director: Rian Anderson
Managing Production Editor: Kendra Slayton
Production Editor: Rita Carlberg
Content Development Specialist: Amy Rubenstein
Copy Editor: Jessi Finn
Text and Cover Designer: Abigail Bowen
Editorial Assistant and Proofreader: Sarah Ludwig
To my wife, Jennifer
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I am frequently struck when reading the biographies of famous writers how often they write in isolation, deliberately distanced from both kin and community. This book, however, required the support, contributions, and assistance of countless friends, colleagues, and community members.
The idea for this book was hatched, of all places, in the parking lot of the high school where I teach, in the midst of a conversation with my best friend in the world, Craig Holliday. He has the unfortunate distinction of having read more of my writing than any other person. It would take me pages to thoroughly detail all his contributions to this project. I say in all honesty that he is a Ride the Wave maestro.
My friend and former principal, David Reese, has always believed in my dreams, both in the classroom and in the world of writing. I cannot recall him ever saying no to a request in our two decades of working together.
My friends at Bakersfield High School, specifically Kevin Reynier, Kristina Fierro, Don Ellsworth, Brett Bonetti, and Tom Sakowski, have always been positive and affirming witnesses to the peaks and valleys of my writing career. Without them, I never could have reached the zenith of having this book published. The current administration at Bakersfield High School has never been anything but warm and encouraging.
The long and serpentine path toward the publication of this book has had some significant signposts along the way that are worth mentioning. Thank you to Douglas Rife for promising me we would find a way to work together someday. I am thrilled it happened. Thank you to the extraordinary Amy Rubenstein, whose insights, mentorship, and, yes, friendship made this process a genuine joy to undertake. I have never encountered a more patient and committed professional in my days as either a teacher or a writer. Mega kudos also to Rita Carlberg, a maestro of organization, insight, and editing, whose sharp eyes and potent insights were nothing short of magical during a robust editorial process. Her work ethic leaves me in awe. Thank you to all the people at Solution Tree whose devotion to excellence and professional development is second to none.
Finally, thank you to my family, my students, and the entire Bakersfield community. My children and wife were endlessly patient with me as I wrote and researched for this manuscript. My brother Will is a constant source of encouragement, and my older brother, Howard, is a bottomless well of insights, quotes, and debates. Thank you to professional development gurus Jan Kenney of the Kern High School District and James Webb, formerly of the Hart Union High School District, for birthing ideas, reading rough drafts, and allowing me to pick their brains whenever it was necessary. Thank you to the students of the Bakersfield High School class of 2019 who were enthusiastic as they observed the book-writing process unfold in front of their very eyes in the second semester of their senior year. Sorry if I sometimes took too long grading your exams! An especially hearty thank-you to my fourth period teaching assistant, Kylie Caffee, who helped in numerous ways in regard to the organization of my research and the compilation of the bibliography.
Finally, my entire community—the local university where I teach, the local newspaper where I first discovered my writing voice, the local radio and television shows that frequently invite me on to talk about education issues, the local writing and education groups that promote my books and articles—has always encouraged my writing efforts. Not many writers know what it is like to have an entire community behind them. But I certainly do. I am a proud product of California’s dusty but dynamic Central Valley. I hope this book is worthy of its efforts on my behalf.
Solution Tree Press would like to thank the following reviewers:
Erin Evans
Active Learning Leader
Cooley Elementary School
El Paso, Texas
Teresa Haskiell
Mathematics Teacher
James Wood High School
Winchester, Virginia
Mark Janda
History Teacher
The Harker School
San Jose, California
Jeff Lahey
Assistant