Teaching with a Strength-Based Approach: How to Motivate Students and Build Relationships
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My passion throughout a 30+ year career as a school psychologist has been to help teachers apply positive psychology principles in the classroom. These principles are designed to bring out the best in students, and becoming a strength-based teacher means working with students to identify and use their signature strengths rather than concentrating on correcting deficits. My work gave me a front-row seat to the incredible results that can be achieved when teachers focus on student assets.
Now, in my first book, I am excited to share cutting-edge research on the power of using the strength-based model in the classroom, along with the heartfelt anecdotes and intuitive wisdom of teachers I have been fortunate to work with. Written for teachers, administrators, school counselors, and mental health staff, I lay out ways teachers can help their students identify their assets, promote self-motivation, and help students overcome the fear of making mistakes while fostering kindness and cooperation in the classroom.
The book empowers teachers to rise above the many challenges they experience daily, such as job dissatisfaction, depression, and stress. It also serves as a practical tool to help teachers rekindle their passion for teaching and fully appreciate their tremendous impact on students every day.
Whether you are a veteran, new or student teacher, or taking education classes to become a teacher, understanding the strength-based model will help you connect with your students’ assets and promote greater student engagement.
“I have no doubt that this book will help so many kids gain more self-confidence, increase their growth mindset, and build positive skills for emotional health. If you’re a teacher, have kids, or work in education, you’ll absolutely love this book!” — Dr. Jonah Paquette, Psychologist, Author, Keynote Speaker.
