Ready for Anything: Four Touchstones for Future-Focused Learning (Innovative Teaching Strategies to Prepare Students for the Future)

Effective teaching and learning must reflect what's happening technologically, socially, economically, and globally. In Ready for Anything, author Suzette Lovely introduces four touchstones that will invigorate students' curiosity and aspirations and develop their 21st century skills for college and career readiness. Each touchstone provides K-12 educators with specific actions, methods, and innovative teaching strategies they can begin using in classrooms today.

Use this book to guide your classroom instruction in preparing students for their future:

• Become familiar with the changes that the 21st century has brought into the lives of students.
• Expand your horizons as an instructor, and improve your craft in order to best prepare students for the future, using strength-based learning and personalized learning experiences.
• Consider the importance of closing the opportunity gap in education and training students to become future-ready graduates.
• Study student engagement and learning, and understand why learning, not teaching, should be the focal point of change in the classroom.
• Explore four touchstones that will act as guides toward innovative classroom practices and future-focused pedagogy.

Contents:
Acknowledgments
Table of Contents
About the Author
Introduction
Chapter 1: Rethinking Education
Chapter 2: Implementing Innovative Practices
Chapter 3: Building a Strengths-Based Culture
Chapter 4: Designing Personalized Experiences
Chapter 5: Collaborating With the Outside
Epilogue
Appendix
References and Resources
Index

Dr. Suzette Lovely spent 34 years serving K-12 schools in every capacity from instructional aide to teacher to principal to central office administrator to superintendent.

During her role as superintendent in Carlsbad, California, she spearheaded several efforts to support future-ready learning, including: implementation of a Career Pathways Grant involving 18 school districts throughout San Diego County; coordination of workforce readiness meetings with community college presidents, elected officials, and business leaders; and participation in collective impact endeavors with nonprofits. Dr. Lovely was also one of a handful of superintendents invited to participate in a focus group with California's governor to discuss the state's new funding and accountability system.

Following her undergraduate work at the University of California, Irvine, Dr. Lovely earned a master's degree in educational administration from National University and a doctorate from Cal State University, Fullerton. Her doctoral research provides unique insights into the generational perspectives of millennial teachers and their long-term commitment to the profession.

Dr. Lovely is the author of three books, Staffing the Principalship, Setting Leadership Priorities, and Generations at School, and numerous journal articles on capacity-building and leadership development. She has been a featured speaker at several local, state, and national conferences.

Since retiring, Dr. Lovely has remained active in strategic planning work, superintendent searches, leadership coaching, university teaching, and facilitation of the Women in Education Leadership (WEL) Institute.

Dr. Lovely has been recognized for her visionary leadership and educational contributions by California senator Patricia Bates, the California PTA, Hi-Noon Rotary, the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, the Master Teacher Publication, and the San Diego County Art Education Association.