Establishing effective and consistent classroom procedures are the hallmarks of successful teaching. Creating Joyful Classrooms provides a unique research-based management system, along with specific tools, for using small group multidimensional learning stations in an elementary classroom. I also like the emphasis on creating a positive classroom climate through IE (Invitational Education). IE helps teachers act intentionally to create caring and optimistic classrooms that respect and trust young children to become responsible and independent learners. I highly recommend this book as an additional resource on classroom management for all teachers, whether beginners or veterans.
- Harry Wong, best-selling author, “The First Days of School”,
Sarah M. (Sally) Butzin, PhD is a beautiful writer and a major international advocate for children in schools. Her passion for teaching and her devotion to children are unsurpassed. Creating Joyful Classrooms is a heart-felt expression of her commitment to making schools a more inviting place for people. Creating Joyful Classrooms should be read by every educator who feels beaten down by the constant emphasis on high-stakes testing, zero tolerance, bureaucratic pressures and ruthless accountability. This optimistic book if filled with a zest for teaching and a joyous love for children. Creating Joyful Classrooms truly expresses an openness to positive possibilities in American Education. It is a significant contribution to education.
- William Watson Purkey, professor emeritus of Counselor Education, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro; Co-Founder, International Alliance for Invitational Education,
I see this book as a truly useful and amazingly practical resource for college programs preparing future educators. At the heart of it all, Creating Joyful Classrooms, presents the underlying theory of Invitational Education and further offers a compendium of practical ideas for establishing and maintaining effective classroom procedures that guarantee young children are engaged and on-task.
- Barbara Hansen, PhD, professor, College of Education, Muskingum University, New Concord, OH,
Recruiting and retaining highly effective teachers is one of the biggest challenges for any school district. This book is a welcome resource to help create schools full of proud teachers and happy learners. …And teachers who work in joyful classrooms tend to stay engaged in the profession for years to come. The stories are reassuring and inspirational. The recommendations make sense, are based on evidence, will boost learning for all, and clearly cherish childhood.
- Richard Benjamin, superintendent, Nashville City Schools, TN (retired),
Kudos on an important message at the heart of this book! “Bring back the joy to teaching and learning,” says Dr. Butzin. She reminds us that joyless schools often fail to achieve academic success, either. This is especially true in high poverty schools. Kids flourish in joyful classrooms led by optimistic teachers. The ideas contained in this book will vaccinate our children against the hopelessness robbing them of bright futures.
- Allyson Schoenlein, director, Title 1 Programs (retired); Huntington Public Schools, WV,
I highly endorse this book as a tremendous resource for any elementary school that is working on transformation from failure to success. My high-needs school has used many of the techniques and strategies described in Creating Joyful Classrooms to dramatically improve academic achievement and win numerous national awards as a turn-around Project CHILD school.
- Rob Carroll, principal, South Heights Elementary School, Henderson , KY,
As a classroom teacher with Project CHILD, I learned to use the procedures described in the book with my special needs students. Later I moved on to work with teachers around the country who are hungry for practical advice on classroom management procedures that actually work with today's challenging students. I highly recommend this book as a resource that not only explains the underlying theory, but offers specific strategies to create joyful classrooms for all students.
- Winky Jenkins-Rice, director of Project CHILD and Professional Development, Innovative Educational Programs, Basking Ridge, NJ,