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Sunday, August 19, 2012

Guest Post by Angela Watson & a Fab Giveway!

I'd like to welcome the beautiful and FABULOUS Angela Watson of TheCornerstoneForTeachers.com.  She was a classroom teacher for eleven years, and currently works as an instructional coach and educational consultant based in New York City.      

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   Thanks so much for inviting me to share about my books! Last summer, I published Awakened: Change Your Mindset to Transform Your Teaching to share the story of how I went from being professionally burned out to feeling rejuvenated and ready to handle whatever life in the classroom brings. In the book, I explain the practical steps I took--and that you can also take--to develop thought habits that produce an unshakeable sense of contentment, motivation, and purpose.

There are a lot of aspects of teaching we can't control. But Awakened shows you how to focus on the aspects that you do have influence over so that you increase your perception of control. It shares how to lessen the demands you feel, decrease the mental and emotional energy you expend, and enhance your positive, rewarding feelings.
Those sound like pretty abstract concepts, but I approach them through the lens of my own experience so that each principle is tied closely to daily classroom life and has lots of practical applications. I share stories of big mistakes I've made, and what I've learned from there. Some of my story is tied into my faith. But Awakened is not a Christian book: it was written to speak to ALL educators, regardless of their faith or lack thereof.
The Awakened Devotional Study Guide for Christian Educators For those who do want to seek out the biblical truths behind Awakened, I published The Awakened Devotional Study Guide for Christian Educators. The guide elaborates on what the Bible has to say about renewing our minds. It’s 8.5 x 11 and is designed to be a workbook where you can record your thoughts and respond to what you’ve read.

Each devotion is 4 pages: the first page includes the corresponding Awakened reading and an opening reflection where you can write down your initial thoughts as well as notes from Awakened if needed. The second page has the devotion and a wide left margin for notetaking. The third page has the application questions (with space for your responses) and an additional scripture reading (with space to add other related Bible verses you’re reminded of.) The fourth page has a “to do” challenge with a work space and a prayer.
Awakened Devotional sample pages
You can use The Awakened Devotional Study Guide for Christian Educators on your own or with a group in your community. I’m also offering the first and only online Bible study developed specifically for educators. We're only two weeks into the study right now: it began August 5th and continues through the week of January 27, 2013, so it's not too late to join! We’ll be working through one devotion together on a weekly basis. The application questions will be posted on a private blog each Sunday. You can read and respond to the devotion any time during that week, and then the next set of questions will be posted the following Sunday.

Here are the details and sign-up for the online Bible study group and to get ordering/purchasing information. You can also read the reviews of the book and online Bible study book club from those who participated in the focus group.

 Thank you for letting me share this with you today. I hope that Awakened and The Awakened Devotional Study Guide help you maintain your enthusiasm for teaching this school year, no matter what daily challenges come your way. You can find all sorts of free teacher resources on my website, or check out my blog of free devotions for teachers. Enjoy!

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Angela has offered to give away a copy of either or both of these books to one reader of Fabulous Fourth Grade Froggies!   Enter by following the instructions below.  Good Luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

15 comments:

  1. What a great post! I really enjoyed reading it!
    I love many of the fabulous free resources offered by Angela. I found myself spending time reading the hilarious kid stories! I needed a smile tonight and they helped!

    ❤Mrs. McKown
    Little Literacy Learners

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  2. I love all of her free resources- especially the Multiple Intelligences Centers! I'd love the books!

    Allie
    The Gypsy Teacher

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  3. I would LOVE to read this! I just found your blog and have been really enjoying it! Thanks for taking time to do it---I can't wrap my head around doing a blog AND teaching!

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  4. Oops...I forgot to mention the free resources stuff...I liked the Classroom Library area as I am reorganizing mine now!

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  5. She has so many wonderful resources, but I really enjoyed her "Messages for Christian Teachers" section. I was very encouraged by reading her thoughts and the verses that she used. I am looking forward to reading Awakening, and the devotional that goes with it.

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  6. What i love most is that this book comes intwo formats and is respectful to spirituality in all its forms.

    Heather
    Peacocks and penguins

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  7. I enjoy reading Angela's blog and her many resources. I would love to have both books. Thank you,
    Toni Nicholson

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  8. Amazing post! I really enjoyed reading it this morning!

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  9. I love Angela's blog and used her teacher website all the time when I was a classroom teacher! What a great giveaay!

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  10. I forgot to mention how I love using Angela's behavior and classroom management tips from her website & blog! ; )

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  11. I love her "best teacher freebie" collections for the month. I love her blog!

    amelias.schaeffer@gmail.com

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  12. I loved looking at "my rooms" and seeing the classroom arrangement and ideas!

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  13. I'll be using her devotions for teachers to start my morning each day. What a great resource!

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  14. Wonderful post... I am quite anxious to read her book. I love your blog- and 4th graders are so much fun! I hope you have a chance to stop by my new blog "Granny Goes to School". I am giving away "Place Value Scoot to the 100,000" game to new followers. It's great for 4th grade fun!
    Granny Goes to School

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  15. Wow how wonderful!! Great post and guest speaker :)

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