Running head: CRASH COURSE 1

Crash Course

Amy Carpentier

University of St. Thomas

Dr. Theresa M. Campos

EDUC 6330 Administrative Internship

Spring 2017
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Crash Course The Life Lessons my Students Taught Me

In this book, Bearden writes about her experiences teaching inner city students. Bearden

tells of the challenges from her first year teaching, her experiences as cofounder of the Ron Clark

Academy, as well as the stories of joys and successes with students. Developing genuine

relationships with students is essential; Bearden discusses the importance of building

relationships, being passionate, along with being humble and understanding.

Summary

Bearden shares her personal teaching experiences throughout the chapters of the book.

The chapters begin with a one word title, Course Description and a personal story Bearden

experienced at some point in her teaching career. As a future leader, building relationships with

students is highly essential for success. Chemistry is the beginning chapter, and the course

description states that you will learn the importance of building relationships. After Bearden

shares of her real experiences, the chapter ends with a section called Class Notes and a

sections titled Homework. I love that the author took the time to summarize the key points

from the chapter and give tasks for the reader to think about or even compete in relation to the

theme for that chapter.

Implementation

The formatting of this book allows for the book to be utilized in a semester long book

study where the group can read a chapter before each meeting. I would like to use this for

leadership development purposees since it is encompases many important aspects that leaders

should be aware of. Chapters touching on ideas such as; building relationships, motivating

students, facing your fears as educators, embracing your unique gifts, how to take joy in playing,
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and how to learn and improve from your mistakes. Many of these ideas are qualities of

successful leaders, therefore this book can be utilized for a variety of audiences. If I were to use

this book, I would use the entire book as a campus wide book study. Each member of the staff

can benefit from reading the stories in the book, teachers, instructional aides, librarians, office

staff, special education teachers, and specials teachers

Each chapter would be read before each meeting and the educators would have

discussions about their thoughts of personal experiences. For implementation, I would

encourage the staff to compete one of the homework tasks listed at the end of each chapter. The

goal for educators should be to learn from one another and improve our skills to provide our

students with high quality education. Part of a leaders job is to grow future leaders; this book

brings insights into the challenges and successes that can occur from opening up and learning

from our students.

Good teachers reflect upon their lessons and experiences with students; similarly good

leaders reflect. This entire book is a reflection from Beardens experiences in education. Not

only does she tell stories about students who touched her life, but she shares how these

experiences have influenced her perspective and future decisions personally and professionally.
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References

Bearden, K. (2014). Crash Course: The Life Lessons My Students Taught Me. New York, NY:

Simon & Schuster.