The Softer Side of Teaching: Transforming learning and behavior through connections

By EdD Lucy Lambert - Guesnard

Teaching is a calling. Imparting passionate opportunities for learning is the job. How this is accomplished will determine whether your students will be along for the ride vs disconnected, behaviorally challenging, not on board. The dynamic of your relationship with your students through praise, validatio

• Language: English
• Publisher: KDP Publishers
• Release date: Apr 1, 2024
• ISBN: 9798869290618

Book preview

Reader’s Review

Jennifer Peterson, Teacher

Building a positive, safe, and nurturing community within the classroom is crucial to having students feel welcomed and valued. While it’s not always easy, The Softer Side of Teaching gives insight into how to make meaningful changes to help you make a difference in the lives of your students. 

Dr. Neil Dugger, Director of Doctoral Studies, College of Education, Dallas Baptist University

This book is amazing, and it would be so helpful to beginning teachers. I particularly liked the section on ethics. Servant leadership is a key element to success. Those with the greatest responsibility-in the classroom- are to be the greatest servants.

Dr. Lucy Lambert-Guesnard has written a remarkable book that will make the life of a first-year teacher (or even a 20-year veteran) much easier.  Everything from ethics to proximity to mentoring (and more) a teacher is covered.  Easy to read and even easier to implement, this book is a must read for teachers.

Marcia de Avila, PhD

This is a practical and easy-to-follow guide to building relational capacity essential to student success. Dr. Guesnard offers us the important why behind the strategies and helps us visualize how they can work in an honest, respectful, caring way. If we want our students to be brave and take risks, we must provide a climate that is safe for their risk taking.

Maroba Zoeller, EdD

When Dr. G invites her readers to come along for the ride, she promises an adventure; and, she delivers on that promise! This personal narrative becomes a key to classroom management by focusing on teacher behavior that demonstrates the power of nurturing relationships and genuine caring for our students as essential tools for teaching- what a concept! Incorporating ethics and integrity, the value of praise, freedom and affirmation, Dr. G embodies the Christian values that underlie the caring community she espouses. What a gift she offers brand-new teachers as well as more seasoned veterans who may have become jaded and stifled in the teacher behavior that they have employed for years.

This is a must-read, must-do practical manual that tugs at the heartstrings, offers practical scenarios and practice exercises, enlightens, entertains, and encourages.

Lynda Zanchuk, Teacher

The Softer Side of Teaching speaks to the incredible calling and resonance of education from a masterful mind who has molded many. Every child, every teacher, every parent, and every moment matters. Dr. Lucy helps us take this monumental task and put it into graceful action. Her approachable and timely philosophy embedded with research-based practice imbues the book with an artist’s touch.

Teaching is a calling. We are not meant to walk alone. This book will guide you through the acquisition of the armor needed. Develop  spiritual fortitude and perseverance in hardships, challenge every learner, and find laughter along the way. You can change a child’s life. You can connect. You can make a difference.

Misty Webb, MEd, Principal

As a campus principal, I am thrilled to gift The Softer Side of Teaching to all my new hires-it is powerful! This book is a noteworthy read and hits the mark of the power of relationships between staff and students.

The wisdom Dr. Guesnard imparts to educators, through her writing, is timeless.

Kim Smith, Author (Beautifully Broken), Founder:  Journey to Dream

If you know Lucy, you know she is one of the most amazing, inspiring women and educators EVER!

Her book is the PERFECT gift for your kids’ teachers or any other teacher you know and love.

Again, incredibly proud of you and forever honored to call you a friend.

Nathan Lambert, Teacher (Secondary)

The Softer Side of Teaching distills the greatest strategies to make real-world connections with one’s students into a foundational course. This book empowers each educator to embrace the misunderstood and challenge students to unlock their potential for learning. To ignite a passion for learning in even just one student has a powerful effect as an educator.

Erin Lambert, Teacher (Elementary)

The Softer Side of Teaching brings forth the power of the teacher and student connection. As an educator, this connection is essential to the well-being of our students and a necessity for learning!

Lindsay Gusso, Corporate HR

While geared towards academics, the key learnings are prolific and transferable in any environment, be it corporate world, sports, or in the classroom! A great read for anyone connecting with varying audiences.

Dedication

This book is dedicated to Alan, my wonderful husband, and teachers past, present, and future. May your journey through education bring many along for the ride. Make it a good one!

Acknowledgment

I wish to thank all of my past students, from elementary to university level, for the incredible opportunity to broaden my perspective lens through the years. Each experience, each connection, has enabled me to see the importance of operating within the gift of connection. I truly believe that learning and behavior have been, and continue to be, transformed through purposeful acknowledgement and validation.

Contents

Reader’s Review

Dedication

Acknowledgment

Foreword

Introduction

Chapter 1  Memes, trust, relationships

A Calling

Opportunities for Discussion

Memes

Chapter 2  Relevance And Proximity

Motivating the unmotivated

Proximity

Know Their Names

Chapter 3

Reflections and Trust

Feedback

Reflections

Build a culture of safety

Chapter 4 Ethics

Effective teaching through integrity

Confidentiality

Rumors

Praise

Dependability with team/campus