Inspiration Is Key: Unconventional Strategies To Motivate and Support Students

Evoking the experience of having a rambling conversation in the teacher's lounge with a 30-year veteran, this title is not organized thematically, but the topics discussed build on one another. The consistent thread, and Sgambato's main message, is mutual respect and connection with students. The examples and strategies, especially the commentary on ways to make a difference with troubled adolescents, are most salient to an upper-middle school or high school teaching environment. Because the author's career spanned three decades, his ideas are not aligned with a single school of thought, yet they have the ring of reliability that comes from trial and error by a seasoned teaching professional. For example, Sgambato describes a whole-class icebreaker game to build trust, perhaps at the start of the year. Though the organization of this work is weak, teachers may come away with tools and resources for dealing with difficult situations.