Teaching as if Students Matter: A Guide to Creating Classrooms Based on Relationships and Engaged Learning

A teacher education book that emphasizes the importance of relationships, cultural responsiveness, and engaged learning for all students' academic and personal success.

Teaching as if Students Matter supports the goal of new teachers to create engaging classrooms where students want to learn. It provides concrete and specific methods for building relationships with all students, managing their behaviors in positive ways, and planning for engaged and authentic instruction. Throughout, the book emphasizes the critical role of culturally responsive teachers in creating inclusive curriculum and meaningful relationships to help all students learn and succeed. This book provides specific advice on how to build a classroom culture where discussion can flourish, as well as ideas for working with colleagues, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. As one reviewer wrote "after reading this book, I really […] believe I can do this!"

Jaye Zola is a retired teacher from the Boulder Valley School District and a former instructor at the University of Colorado-Boulder School of Education. John Zola is a retired teacher from the Boulder Valley School District and was Director of School and University Partnerships at the University of Colorado Boulder School of Education.