The Practically Perfect Teacher presents a pragmatic, practical guide to help you grow and flourish so that you can become the outstanding teacher who makes the difference between success and failure for the next generation. Expectations are high, time is short prepare to be challenged and supported to be the best you can be.
Jackie has produced an engaging book, full of a passionate belief in the
satisfaction to be gained from the professional job of teaching. It oozes with
sense, techniques to try and the joy of seeing young people learning.”
Mick Waters, Professor of Education, Wolverhampton University
In an ever-changing educational context, The Practically Perfect Teacher passionately inspires and energises by explicitly highlighting the key habits of an effective teacher.”
Haroon Asghar, Deputy Head Teacher, Brookhouse Community Primary School
This is a book for anyone involved in education; although many of the
examples have a school context, the principles apply to all those tasked with
developing understanding and knowledge in others.”
Dr Glenn Jenkins, Lecturer, University of Wales Trinity Saint David:Swansea Metropolitan
Packed with honest, down-to-earth ways we can all make the learning journey of young people more worthwhile and memorable.”
Beverley Dandy, Head Teacher, Outwoods Primary School
Jackie Beere, the editor of the bestselling Perfect series, is a consultant trainer and School Improvement Partner, having been Head Teacher at Campion
School, Northants. She spent three years as an Advanced Skills Teacher
leading and implementing innovative teaching and learning initiatives. Jackie
has been awarded an OBE for her services to education.
Jackie Beere has the great skill of making links between some complex ideas
of research and theory and the practical reality of daily life in the classroom.
Her book resonates with images that teachers will recognise as things that
happen with pupils in the everyday quest for learning. She offers step-bystep
advice and suggestions that are tailored in a way that can be used
tomorrow. The advice is built upon sound research that is explained and
grounded to make it accessible. This wisdom is then trained on the pressures
that teachers find themselves under and the excitement of the job.
Jackie has produced an engaging book, full of a passionate belief in the
satisfaction to be gained from the professional job of teaching. The book
oozes with sense, techniques to try and the joy of seeing young people
learning.
Mick Waters, Professor of Education, Wolverhampton University
In an ever-changing educational context, The Practically Perfect Teacher
passionately inspires and energises by explicitly highlighting the key habits
of an effective teacher. Through her reader-friendly style, Jackie Beere
enables the reader to combine the notions of self-belief and a fervent desire
to succeed along with a child-centred approach to provide practical strategies
for all teachers seeking to deliver impact and make a positive difference to
the lives of children!
Haroon Asghar, Deputy Head Teacher, Brookhouse Community Primary School
The book is packed with honest, down-to-earth ways we can all make the
learning journey of young people more worthwhile and memorable: from
theory which challenges long-held beliefs to classroom practice ideas that
reinforce what is expected of outstanding teachers. The book is bound to
stimulate staffroom debate and motivate teachers to reflect on their practice.
Nothing the book suggests is budget-breaking or beyond the reach of any
school, and we will certainly be using most of the teaching strategies and
ideas suggested. In fact, we cant wait to get started!
I found it really easy to read quite a page turner and as a true lifelong
learner I wanted to find out more!
Much of the book reaffirms my beliefs about teaching; however, every
chapter has those little gems that can make a huge difference to any school.
I will certainly put it on the essential reading list of every teacher in my
school. As always, Jackies top tips are superb school-improvement ideas in
a nutshell.
Beverley Dandy, Head Teacher, Outwoods Primary School
A concise and engaging book which focuses on the teacher and their impact
on students. This is a book which explores why teachers teach and how they
can improve how they teach. This is a book for anyone involved in
education; although many of the examples have a school context, the
principles apply to all those tasked with developing understanding and
knowledge in others. This book is ideal for experienced teachers seeking
motivation, reinvigoration or simply a fresh perspective but may also prove
highly beneficial for those seeking pearls of wisdom at the start of their
career.
Drawing on a wealth of experience and research, the author outlines a
framework for continual self-development, driven not by external quality
procedures but a desire to maximise the achievement and personal
development of the students. The book includes practices and rituals to
develop student-focused teachers, driven by feedback in which the teacher
is reflective, adaptive and innovative. There is a strong focus on the student
as a partner in the educational process, influencing their teaching through
feedback, and engaging with the teacher and their peers to develop both
academically and as an individual. As a university lecturer, I see the
development of students as independent learners, who are engaged and
enthusiastic about education, as an essential component of teaching.
Dr Glenn Jenkins, Lecturer, University of Wales Trinity St. David:
Swansea Metropolitan
At a time when the pressure on teachers is greater than it ever has been,
Jackie reminds us why we chose this wonderful profession and of the
enormous difference we can make to the lives of the children we teach. Not
only is this book packed with practical ideas that you can apply in your
classroom immediately, it will also challenge you to step back and take a
much closer look at the unconscious habits, attitudes and values that
ultimately determine how effective you are as a teacher.
Whilst there is no guarantee that reading this book will make you the
perfect teacher, it will certainly help you to become the best teacher you
can possibly be, and who can ask for more than that?
James Bowen, Head Teacher, Mill Rythe Junior School
After reading The Practically Perfect Teacher I cant wait to try out some of
Jackies ideas! I believe, as teachers, we are always striving to be the very
best we can but are never satisfied with any of our achievements always
feeling we can do that bit better. Hopefully with the advice and guidance
from this book we can ultimately achieve our goal.
Leisha Champion BA (Hons) PGCE,Fourlanesend Community Primary School
I am so pleased to have read this uplifting book which reminded me that I
have the best job in the world! A term of teaching can leave you feeling
weary, stressed out and counting the wake-ups until the next break.
However, after reading this book, I could not wait to get back into class to
try out some new techniques, ideas and mindset tweaks.
I have already implemented the 3B4ME and my class suggestions board is
teeming with feedback from pupils who are taking control of their own
learning. I had a smile on my face all day long when a usually reticent pupil
excitedly filled in a sticky note for the suggestions board and explained a
starter activity which he had devised to improve our learning!
I feel I am being a lot more honest with my pupils, explaining that the
learning zone is not a comfort zone but will be challenging, frustrating
and even painful at times. My class are also embracing more fully the
concept that every mistake is a learning experience.
This book has encouraged me to reflect more honestly on my teaching, but
not to beat myself up when something hasnt gone to plan. Instead, I am
embracing the fact that there is no such thing as failure, only a part of the
journey towards success!
Sue Ware, KS2 Teacher, The King John School
Jackie is forever inspiring, both in how she presents and in what she has to
say. I think this book is her best yet! Its an amazing book. Normally
education-based books can be dry and uninspiring. This book, however, is
very well written and presented. I could not put it down! The book is a
concise approach to quality first teaching and learning, with a huge
emphasis on the learning. It is great how it reflects on Ofsted and the
criteria for good learning. Its a must-read for all teachers old and new! I
certainly will be ordering copies for my staff!
Shane Jarman, Head Teacher, Denaby Main Primary School
This is the third of Jackies books I have read, and she continues to
summarise a complex profession, whilst allowing for the necessary individual
approach, in a short helpful and easy-to-read form. There is a danger with
any book that claims to help someone become the 'perfect' teacher that the
advice will be patronising, impractical and easily misunderstood. Jackie
overcomes all these hurdles by ensuring an up-to-date knowledge of the
demands of teaching through practical involvement and extensive research.
At no point does Jackie take it for granted that teachers have excess time
for preparation as all hints and tips are quick to read and translate into the
classroom. This book is for any teacher, whatever their experience and
subject. There is genuinely something new and useful to help every lesson
progress with high levels of pupil engagement and challenge.
Hannah Horwood, Assistant Head (Teaching and Learning),
Surbiton High School
Teachers have the most important job in the world because they are creating the future.
Jackie Beere, Head teacher at Campion School, England until 2006, is now a consultant, trainer and School Improvement Partner. She spent three years as an Advanced Skills Teacher leading and implementing innovative Teaching and Learning initiatives including KS3 and 4 Learning to Learn and Thinking Skills programmes. She was awarded the OBE in November 2002 for services to education, having trained many teachers and school leaders in the latest theory and practice of learning to learn and emotional intelligence. She introduced Learning to Learn through Opening Minds, a competency-based curriculum at her school in 2006, after a two year pilot project proved very successful.