Avast ye! (Pay attention) and Teach Like a Pirate by Dave Burgess

I loved reading Dave Burgess' Teach Like a Pirate during our teacher book club this summer. Why?

http://daveburgess.com/

Just read the title! Ever since Pirates of the Caribbean, I've wanted to be a pirate, so what does it mean if I teach like a pirate? 

Burgess opens with this: "Pirates are daring, adventurous, and willing to set forth into uncharted territories with no guarantee of success. They reject the status quo and refuse to conform to any society that stifles creativity and independence. They are entrepreneurs who take risks and are willing to travel to the ends of the earth for that which they value."

Don't you want to adventure like Jack Sparrow?

https://pirates.disney.com/movies

In some seriousness, below are my top three reasons for encouraging other teachers who are passionate about teaching students to read this book:

First: It was an enjoyable and easy read. I could sit down on my couch, put my feet up, and read without stopping. Occasionally I did end up stopping, either because my adorable lab still thought he was a lap dog OR I was inspired and needed to write down an idea before it sailed away from me. (See what I did there?)

Second: This book will help you see how you show your enthusiasm. I reflected on my favorite teachers throughout my school career, from elementary all the way through college. I asked myself, "Why did I love these teachers and their classes?" Don't get me wrong, I reflected on this same question during college too, but once you are really out to sea, theory and practice can take on different perspectives. Then the question morphed into, "How am I mimicking those teachers?"

Again, Burgess has an answer: "I'll always choose a teacher with enthusiasm and weak technique over one with brilliant strategies but who is just punching the clock. Why? An enthusiastic teacher can learn technique, but it is almost impossible to light a fire inside the charred heart of a burned-out teacher." You'll have to read the book yourself to learn about the different types of passion you can show enthusiasm for.

Weren't your favorite teachers the most enthusiastic? Mine were. 

Third: This book is meant to be inspiring. I didn't find a go-to book of lesson plans to commandeer. Instead, Burgess' examples of projects, teaching style, and engaging hooks got me to think about ways that I would like to create MORE in my own classroom. You don't have to be a creative person; you just have to be open to new ideas and the concept of failure: "If you haven't failed in the classroom lately, you aren't pushing the envelope far enough. 'Safe' lessons are a recipe for mediocrity at best."

If you are in education and feel like you're lost in a storm, please consider reading this book to rediscover your treasure and passion for teaching.

“I'll always choose a teacher with enthusiasm and weak technique over one with brilliant strategies but who is just punching the clock. Why? An enthusiastic teacher can learn technique, but it is almost impossible to light a fire inside the charred heart of a burned-out teacher.”