Martin, educator, author of Learner-Centered Innovation
“As a follower of Tom's work for years, I have witnessed how his heart for children has touched so many of our colleagues. Personal & Authentic is no exception. Through the triangulation of personal stories, research, and practical tips from others in the field, this book is powerful, informative, and engaging. I highly recommend it!”
—Sarah Thomas, PhD, regional technology coordinator, affiliate faculty, and founder of EduMatch®
"Personal & Authentic is a true reflection of the title. Tom not only shares stories that share his core values and beliefs through the personal stories that he tells, but the tips he includes from other educators show a glimpse of their core values and beliefs as well. If you are looking for a read that cuts straight to the middle and touches the heart, but then leads to actionable results that will transform you as an educator and the relationships and experiences you encounter each day, Personal & Authentic is your go-to resource. This book will help you reflect, recharge, and refocus on the most important aspects of education—relationships and relevant learning experiences."
—Sanée Bell, EdD, principal, speaker, author of Be Excellent on Purpose: Intentional Strategies for Impactful Leadership
Contents
The Personal & Authentic Framework
Chapter 1: Relationships: The Foundation of Personal & Authentic Learning
Chapter 2: Creating a Culture for Learning
Chapter 3: Understanding the Story Inside Each Learner
Chapter 4: Envisioning Personal & Authentic Learning Experiences
Chapter 5: Designing Personal & Authentic Learning Experiences
Chapter 6: Leveraging Tools & Spaces to Amplify Learning
Chapter 7: Creating a Legacy That Impacts a Lifetime
Bibliography
Acknowledgments
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About the Author
Personal & Authentic
© 2019 by Thomas C. Murray
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing by the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review. For information regarding permission, contact the publisher at [email protected].
This book is available at special discounts when purchased in quantity for use as premiums, promotions, fundraisers, or for educational use. For inquiries and details, contact the publisher at [email protected].
Published by IMPress, a division of Dave Burgess Consulting, Inc.
Editing, Interior, and Cover Design by My Writers’ Connection
Library of Congress Control Number: 2019951888
Paperback ISBN: 978-1-948334-19-8
eBook ISBN: 978-1-948334-20-4
First Printing: October 2019
The work is hard, but our kids are worth it.
Foreword
“Son, I love you, and I believe in you,” were the words he said that I’ll never forget. In my entire life, this was my very first encounter of a personal and authentic moment with a male who truly cared for and believed in me. Those words were spoken by Mr. DeMarco Mitchell, who, at twenty-three years old, was my eighth-grade math teacher and basketball coach.
I was born to a sixteen-year-old single mother, and we lived in a two-bedroom home on the eastside of Atlanta. It was located in one of the roughest places in America, and that home was where fourteen of us lived. This was a household and environment filled with drugs, gangs, and violence. As a child, one night each week, I’d have the opportunity to sleep in the bed. Most nights, I’d sleep on the floor. Each morning, I’d stand at the bus stop before school and shake out my bookbag to make sure no mice or rats had made their way into it during the night.
I didn’t want to become a statistic. I wanted to break a generational curse on my family, one where nobody had ever been to college. Since I was seven years old, I wanted to play in the NFL so my mom and family would never have to miss another meal.
Growing up as I did, the most dangerous part of it all was that low expectations and failure was normal and acceptable. It was a way of life for those I lived with, many of whom are still in and out of prison, and those who lived in our part of the city. Life gave me every excuse not to succeed, but I was blessed to have had a teacher who refused to give up on me, even with my circumstances.
Every night, my cousin and I would go out to the street and race light pole to light pole wearing no shoes. I knew achieving my dreams meant that I had to put in the work, and I was determined to make it happen. I remember this one night, standing on the corner in my neighborhood surrounded by drug dealers, and that same teacher, the one who wouldn’t stop believing in me, pulled up and said, “Inky, you’re better than this.” Although I wasn’t engaging in any illegal activity, he knew the danger I was in—not only personally but also my dreams, goals, aspirations, beliefs, and potential—just by being present.
As my coach and mentor, he proceeded to speak to me as if we were in the midst of one of our basketball games. He looked me in the eyes and said, “Here’s how we’re going to beat this. I’m going to pick you up every morning before school and play you in a game of one-on-one basketball. Then we will study and learn Proverbs until you graduate high school.” To be honest, I thought our game plan would last probably a year, maybe less. But I was wrong. My teacher showed up, picked me up for school, day after day, and poured into me. He did whatever it took to support me. He believed in
