Yes, You Can!

Dr. Gail L. Thompson, Founder & CEO of Inspirations by Gail LLC, is a critically acclaimed author of many articles and books; former secondary school teacher; and former Executive Director of Equity at Illuminate Education. During her years as the Wells Fargo Endowed Professor of Education at Fayetteville State University, she created and served as Director of the Black Men Teaching (BMT) Program, and supervised doctoral students. In addition to creating and implementing "The Literacy Club," an afterschool reading incentive program for struggling readers at several schools, Dr. Thompson has appeared on numerous television and radio programs, including PBS Television's "Tony Brown Journal." Dr. Thompson books include the award-nominated The Power of One: How You Can Help or Harm African American Students; Through Ebony Eyes: What Teachers Need to Know but are Afraid to Ask About African American Students; and Up Where We Belong: Helping African American and Latino Students Rise in School and in Life. Rufus Thompson is a retired educator. He wrote part of the Heath (now Houghton Mifflin) Middle Level Literature series and High School Anthology. Starting in 1988, he trained teachers throughout California on how to implement technol-ogy into the curriculum using best practices and sound classroom principles and taught middle school for 17 years before becoming the technology coordi-nator of the Mountain View School District in Ontario, California. He also served as a representative on the San Bernardino County BestNet Advisory Board to Superintendents, and his Middle School Journalism program was recognized by the National Middle School Association as one of 80 innovative programs in the United States. Mr. Thompson, who has a mas-ter's degree, has taught courses at the University of Redlands, Chapman University (under contract with Webmedia Solutions), Claremont Graduate University, and California Polytechnic University, Pomona as an adjunct. He has also provided extensive professional development workshops for teachers and school administrators, organized conferences, and given presentations at several conferences, including the National School Board Association, the National Middle School Association, Computer Using Education (CUE), and California Educational Technology Professional Association (CETPA). Mr. Thompson recently retired and is the owner of Tech Guy in a Box, a technology and best-practices consulting company.

About the Authors Acknowledgments Introduction Part I. Do You Really Love All of Them? Assessing Your Teaching Self-Confidence About Working With Various Types of Students Chapter 1. Fear, Income, Gender, and Other Issues: Why Your Teaching Self-Confidence Matters Chapter 2. Teaching in a Racially Diverse World: Examining Your Teaching Self-Confidence About Working With Students of Color and White Students Chapter 3. "Oh My Gosh, He Can't Even Read!" Examining Your Teaching Self-Confidence About Working With Struggling Students Part II. Student Empowerment-Teacher Empowerment: Increasing Your Teaching Self-Confidence and Your Teaching Efficacy Chapter 4. This Stuff Is Hard! Improving Your Classroom Management Skills Chapter 5. A Recipe for Success: Effective Instructional Practices Chapter 6. Can't We All Just Get Along? Using the Curriculum to Improve Race Relations in Class Part III. Getting Help From the "Village": How to Maximize Your Relations With Parents, Colleagues, and School Leaders Chapter 7. Bridging the Great Divide: How to Create a Win-Win Situation With Parents, Especially With Nonwhite Parents Chapter 8. Ties That Can Bind: Forming Strong Working Relationships With Colleagues of Color Chapter 9. Ask and It Might Be Given: Getting What You Need From School Leaders Conclusion: Don't Throw in the Towel--How to Keep Going When You Feel Like Giving Up Appendix A. Background Information About the Teacher Confidence Study Appendix B. Demographic Information About the 293 Teacher Confidence Study Participants Appendix C. Questionnaire Results From the 293 Teacher Confidence Study Participants Notes Index

"This is one of the most useful books I have read in some time! Whether novice or veteran, if one truly wants to be successful in teaching children and youth of color, the Thompson's exciting new book, Yes You Can, is an invaluable tool. The book is designed for personal use as well as professional development with colleagues. From their extensive experience as successful classroom teachers, researchers, and leaders of professional development, the authors combine authentic scenarios, reflection activities, and suggested strategies that empower educators in being effective with students at all grade levels and from all demographic groups in our society." -- Randall B. Lindsey, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus "After reading Yes, You Can! Advice for Teachers Who Want to a Great Start and a Great Finish with Their Students of Color, I cannot imagine teaching or administrating without it. This honest, engaging book will open your eyes to new ways to relate to kids and help them be successful. Though focused on students of color, the book helps with all areas of diversity: all races and ethnicities, low performing vs. high performing, English learners vs. native English speakers, etc. True stories and testimonies humanize the research findings, straightforward activities encourage reflection and dialogue, and practical strategies make the book's recommendations not just something educators can do, but something we are driven to do. Refreshingly, rather than calling for more from busy educators, the book shares how to do things differently in a way that leads to improved teacher confidence, improved classroom management, improved student/teacher and parent/teacher relationships, and so much more. Most of all, the authors - two of the best educators of our time - have shared ways we can directly improve the lives of students who need our help. For that reason above all others, this book is a must read." -- Lane D. Rankin, Founder and CEO "This book reassures, and reinforces every teacher's confidence to teach. The authors strategically, yet sensitively, empower teachers to delve into their own thoughts, backgrounds, and experiences in order to increase their personal effectiveness. The research-based suggestions to teachers who want to be successful are offered in a practical, thorough, and self-examining process. The chapters' reflective activities can easily be used during a professional development session or during a university course. Every teacher who reads this book will be encouraged to focus on their confidence level and know within their hearts that they can indeed raise the dialogue within themselves and build strong, caring relationships with their students, parents, colleagues, and school leaders." -- Angela Louque, Professor