Audrey Cohan

Cohan, Honigsfeld, and Dove bring together current research, authentic examples of best practices, and voices from the field to champion the power of purposeful collaboration and provide educators with resources that will empower them to support English learners (ELs) and their families. Guided by four core principles (common purpose, shared mindset, diverse team membership, supportive environment), the authors explain how to meet the challenges of collaborating with ELs and help all stakeholders—administrators, teachers, students, parents, community leaders—develop new and effective ways of working together for the success of each learner.

One of America’s preeminent educational philosophers and public intellectuals, John Dewey is perhaps best known for his interest in the study of pragmatic philosophy and his application of progressive ideas to the field of education. Carrying his ideas and actions beyond the academy, he tied his philosophy to pacifist ideology in America after World War I in order to achieve a democratic world order. Although his work and life have been well documented, his role in the postwar peace movement has been generally overlooked. In America’s Peace-Minded Educator, authors Charles F. Howlett and Audrey Cohan take a close look at John Dewey’s many undertakings on behalf of world peace. This volume covers Dewey’s support of, and subsequent disillusionment with, the First World War as well as his postwar involvement in trying to prevent another world war. Other topics include his interest in peace movements in education, his condemnation of American military intervention in Latin America and of armaments and munitions makers during the Great Depression, his defense of civil liberties during World War II, and his cautions at the start of the atomic age. The concluding epilogue discusses how Dewey fell out of favor with some academics and social critics in the 1950s and explores how Dewey’s ideas can still be useful to peace education today. Exploring Dewey’s use of pragmatic philosophy to build a consensus for world peace, Howlett and Cohan illuminate a previously neglected aspect of his contributions to American political and social thought and remind us of the importance of creating a culture of peace through educational awareness.

Classroom management is often perceived as the most overwhelming challenge faced by new teachers; it may also continue to confront more experienced educators as they encounter a new group of youngsters or face a new set of demands. Successful classroom management is invariably tied to student engagement and empowerment: teachers who are singled out for excellent classroom management practices are often praised for successfully maintaining a strong instructional focus in their classes coupled with high levels of student motivation. The contributors offer classroom-tested strategies and timely advice on how to create such an effective and supportive instructional environment for academic and social-emotional learning for all. Similar to the previous four volumes, Breaking the Mold of School Instruction and Organization: Innovative and Successful Practices for the 21st Century (2010), Breaking the Mold of Preservice and Inservice Teacher Education (2011), and, Breaking the Mold of Education for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students (2012), and, Breaking the Mold of Education: Innovative and Successful Practices for Student Engagement, Empowerment, and Motivation (2013), the purpose of this book is to offer a carefully selected collection of documented best practices and practical, classroom-tested strategies for immediate implementation

Similar to the previous three volumes, Breaking the Mold of School Instruction and Organization: Innovative and Successful Practices for the 21st Century (Honigsfeld & Cohan, 2010), Breaking the Mold of Preservice and Inservice Teacher Education: Innovative and Successful Practices for the 21st Century (Cohan & Honigsfeld, 2011), and, Breaking the Mold of Education for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students: Innovative and Successful Practices for the 21st Century (Honigsfeld & Cohan, 2012), the purpose of this book is to offer a carefully selected collection of documented best practices for empowering students. The contributing authors represent diverse backgrounds, cultures, and experiences, yet their chapters recognize similarities among students so that the innovations can be transferred to other contexts. Each chapter represents practical, research-based success stories as well as authentic accomplishments which motivate and engage all students. The 20 chapters in this volume are organized into four sections: (a) making personal connections and engaging students in reflection; (b) engagement with literacy and language; (c) music, movement, arts, drama and other creative engagements; and (d) school culture, community, and student success. The compelling chapters shared in this volume—focused on innovation and transformation—will help thrust education and teacher action (rather than reaction) in a positive trajectory of change.