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As Dr. Eaker states, this book is his reflection on how to create the kinds of schools and classrooms for all kids that we would want for our own children. He reflects on the various stages of his education career, including turning research into practice, shifting focus from teaching to learning, studying the effects of teachers’ interpersonal behaviors, and participating in the effective schools movement. He shares a personal history of the foundations of the PLC process and the development of the concepts and practices necessary for successful PLC implementation. Finally, he emphasizes the importance of passion and persistence in leadership, describing through his experiences how these qualities make leaders great.
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In the Leading Educator series, thought leaders in education present personal looks into their professional experiences. In revisiting their distinctive career paths, the authors share with readers the events and circumstances that influenced their work. They also communicate the knowledge and the tools that have helped them through different stages of their careers and various changes in education.
ISBN 978-1-949539-73-8 90000
9 781949 539738
“When thinking of Bob Eaker, I recall my son’s description of his life-changing science teacher: ‘He knows a lot, teaches a lot, makes the subject interesting, and is a nice person.’ To that perfect description I add that Bob listens to and affirms others and has not let his success define him. Bob has been an inspiration to me and thousands of educators; with this book, he continues to educate and inspire.”
—Robert Lynn Canady Professor Emeritus, University of Virginia
Robert Eaker
emeritus at Middle Tennessee State University, where he also served as dean of the College of Education and interim vice president and provost. Dr. Eaker is a former fellow with the National Center for Effective Schools Research and Development. He has written widely on the issues of effective teaching, effective schools, teachers’ use of research findings, and high expectations for student achievement. Dr. Eaker has been a frequent consultant to schools and school districts across North America. He is a regular speaker at national, regional, and state professional meetings.
fter a career spanning nearly half a century, Dr. Robert Eaker—educator, researcher, consultant, and architect of the Professional Learning Communities at Work® (PLC at Work) process—has gathered his insights and knowledge regarding the improvement of schools, teaching, and student learning into this autobiographical work. In A Summing Up: Teaching and Learning in Effective Schools and PLCs at Work®, Dr. Eaker tells the story of his career in education and, in the process, provides a guide full of real-world advice.
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“Eaker offers that rare combination of practical insight, moral imperative, and personal inspiration to help every educator and leader through the challenging and rewarding years ahead. These pages will generate gratitude, enthusiasm, and hope—precisely what our profession needs.”
Robert Eaker
“Bob Eaker is recognized the world over as a titan of the education profession, but to me, he will always be Dr. Bob, the generous, kind, and thoughtful man who shared the same vision for the future of education as my father, Rick DuFour. Together they helped change the lives of countless administrators, teachers, and students around the world. More than that, the two men were the very best of friends who also changed each other’s lives for the better along the way. I consider myself extremely lucky to have had a front-row seat to much of the personal and professional evolution described within this book.”
—Matthew DuFour Son of Richard DuFour, Architect of the PLC at Work Process