A PIRATE’S LIFE FOR ME
I’ve spent the past few years of my life traveling from conference to conference and school to school, dressed as a pirate.
I get some odd looks. But that’s OK. I’m a teacher. Getting odd looks is part of the job.
I am on a crusade to spread the message of Teach Like a PIRATE—a system that can, like a treasure map, guide you to the reward of total transformation of your classroom and your life as an educator. In my book, that’s worth a few odd looks.
Teach Like a PIRATE is part inspirational manifesto and part practical roadmap. My hope is that it will lead you to become more passionate, creative, and fulfilled in your role as a teacher. At the same time, my goal is to help you create an inviting, engaging, and most importantly, empowering classroom climate.
So why a pirate? After all, we don’t want teachers who attack and rob ships at sea. Teaching like a pirate has nothing to do with the dictionary definition and everything to do with the spirit. 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. Although fiercely independent, they travel with and embrace a diverse crew. If you’re willing to live by the code, commit to the voyage, and pull your share of the load, then you’re free to set sail. Pirates don’t much care about public perception; they proudly fly their flags in defi- ance. And besides, everybody loves a pirate.
That description of the pirate’s spirit sounds exactly like the kind of character we need more of in education. In these challenging and changing times, our students need leaders who are willing to venture forward without a clear map to explore new frontiers. We need mavericks and renegades who are willing to use unorthodox tactics to spark and kindle the flame of creativity and imagination in the minds of the young. We need entrepreneurial innovators who are capable of captaining the educational ship through waters that are rough and constantly changing. In short, we need pirates...we need you.
Teach Like a PIRATE is divided into three parts:
PART I: TEACH LIKE A PIRATE
This is the heart of the PIRATE system and philosophy. It is divided into six chapters, one chapter for each letter of the word.
Passion—You know you’re supposed to be passionate about your job as a teacher. This chapter explains how to feel passionate, even if the subject you’re teaching isn’t all that exciting to you.
Immersion—It’s easy to shout directions from the safety of the sidelines, but the safe approach isn’t the most effective one. To really engage your students you must be immersed in the moment. You’ll learn in this chapter why your class needs your full attention.
Rapport—Getting to know your students on a personal level, showing them they are more than just a grade, and giving them a safe, fun environment sets the stage for learning. This chapter offers ideas on how to build rapport naturally and authentically so you can connect with your students.
Ask and Analyze—Coming up with creative ideas begins by asking the right questions. Making sure those ideas connect with your audience requires constant analysis and openness to feedback. This chapter will help you ask and analyze better so you can be a more creative and effective teacher.
Transformation—If you feel as though you’re constantly hitting roadblocks with your students, maybe it’s time to transform your expectations for what’s possible in the classroom. This chapter explains how to reframe your subject—for yourself and your students— so you can break down those barriers.
Enthusiasm—Above all, enthusiasm is the most powerful tool in the classroom. This chapter explains why you must use it freely. You’ll also learn how to ramp up your enthusiasm so your last class of the day receives the same high-impact lesson as your first class.
PART II: CRAFTING ENGAGING LESSONS
Are you tired of trying to talk over students who seem bent on ignoring you? This section will help you engage them and magnetically pull them into your lesson. In this crash course on designing presentations you’ll find captivating hooks you can add to your content, as well as brainstorming questions to help you generate unbelievably engaging ideas for your lessons and skyrocket your creativity. The questions will spur you to think outside the box, and the applications give you some immediate and practical experience for implementing the creative process.
PART III: BUILDING A BETTER PIRATE
Before you set sail, you’ll want to read these final instructions. In this section you’ll find the reassurance and guidance needed to ensure that you reach your final destination and receive a treasure worthy of the voyage.
Welcome aboard!
A huge secret lies deep in the heart of teachers all over the world. I know, because I am a teacher. You don’t want to talk about it or admit it because you’re fearful of the judgment of your peers. You see, you believe you are the only one who holds this seemingly terrible, ugly secret. It’s like when Betty Friedan, in The Feminine Mystique, wrote that women all over the nation were lying in bed, staring at the ceiling and asking themselves, “Is this all?” They didn’t want to discuss their feelings of emptiness and dissatisfaction with their peers because they thought they were alone and would face scorn and shame. Well, I’m hoping to be the Betty Friedan for you and I’m hoping this book will forever free you of this deep, dark secret that burdens your soul.
Here is the secret: We are not passionate about everything we teach. It’s OK! Let the freedom wash over you. Now that the secret’s out in the open, let’s talk about it.
We know we are supposed to be passionate about teaching. That’s why we feel guilty when that passion simply isn’t there. We go to seminars and conferences where speakers explain why, as teachers, we must bring passion into our work. From the stage, we hear: “If you can’t bring passion into your work then, by God, find new work!” It sounds great! We remember why we became teachers in the first place. We really want to help our students grow and succeed. For a moment, the enthusiastic messages get us excited and pumped up. But then the speakers leave the stage and we are left cold because they never explain how to find and maintain passion for teaching.
You know there are days when you look at the content standard and realize it’s going to be tough to get yourself fired up. What do you do on those days? How can you consistently
