The Novice Advantage

Jonathan Eckert was a public school teacher outside of Chicago and Nashville for 12 years. He earned his doctorate in education at Vanderbilt University and served as a U.S. Department of Education Teaching Ambassador Fellow in both the Bush and Obama administrations. Currently, he is the Lynda and Robert Copple Chair and Professor of Educational Leadership at Baylor University, where he supports leaders through the Center for School Leadership. Leading professional learning across the country, he catalyzes teaching and leading for each student. He is the author of The Novice Advantage and Leading Together.

• DedicationAcknowledgementsPrefaceThe Novice AdvantageWho Needs This?A Way ForwardA Way BackA Way to Make Our Work EasierA Tool for Fearless ActionPart 1: Novice Mindset and ProcessChapter 1: Cringeworthy Moments - Why Would I Want to be a Novice?Is He Serious?Creative StruggleIt′s Not About "Novice" Instead of "Expert"The Growth Mindset and the Novice MindsetA Brief Look at the Condition of U.S. EducationLost or Taken Away?From Cringeworthy to DesirableReflect. Risk. Revise or Reject.Chapter 2: Embrace the Novice MindsetThree Exemplary "Novices"Novice Mindset MarkersDeveloping and Maintaining a Novice MindsetReflect. Risk. Revise or Reject.Chapter 3: Reflect. Risk. Revise or Reject.The "Four Rs"Reflection and Your Professional Learning NetworkThe Four Rs Transform the Classroom into an ExploratoriumReflect. Risk. Revise or Reject.Part II: PracticesChapter 4: Fill the ClassroomCreate Space for GrowthEngage the Entire ClassTeach Students to Work HardReflect. Risk. Revise or Reject.Chapter 5: Motivate PragmaticallyStop Setting Ourselves Up for FailurePragmatic MotivationApply the Four Rs to MotivationReflect. Risk. Revise or Reject.Chapter 6: Expect MoreHonesty and Transparency: The Markers of Effective AssessmentGive Students a Chance to GrowTechniques That Promote Student GrowthBe a Warm DemanderReflect. Risk. Revise or Reject.Chapter 7: Build Important RelationshipsFind What is FascinatingBe IntentionalWe Don′t Just Work with StudentsConnect with Resources Outside Your ClassroomReflect. Risk. Revise or Reject.Part III: Expert NovicesChapter 8: Become an Expert NoviceGetting Better in Our ClassroomsGetting Better in Others′ ClassroomsGetting Better Beyond the ClassroomBecoming Expert NovicesThe Expert Novice OpportunityReflect. Risk. Revise or Reject.References

"Jon Eckert shifts the conversation – and hopefully our mindsets – regarding growth and learning as educators, no matter where we are in our career. In his book The Novice Advantage, Eckert highlights the importance of thinking of ourselves as novices who are constantly growing instead of experts complacent with our practice. This book pushes our thinking on expertise as educators and is great fodder for book groups, Professional Learning Communities, or any collaborative professional conversation. A must read!"