The Together Teacher: Plan Ahead, Get Organized, and Save Time! 1st Edition

I am very disappointed in this book--it is written for charter school teachers....and probably only for the teachers in the Achievement First Charter Network.First, I must say that the writer has only consulted with and looked into charter schools--they are a different breed from regular public schools. Teacher turnover in charter schools is atrocious (as teachers are overworked and overworked) even though students who have behavioral issues or whose parents do not get involved, who have learning disabilities and who are ELL's are basically not part of their rosters.I say this because this whole book is about time management primarily for teachers in charter schools. Everybody highlighted in the book and used as an example is from a charter school (either from KIPP or from AF)...The forward is written by Norman Atkins--a charter school founder (Uncommon Schools--and the founder of the highly controversial Relay Graduate School of Education) and the writer is the talent officer for that same charter school organization....now mind you that the teacher turnover rate in the Achievement First charter schools is atrocious. In the Achievement First Charter School in East NY, for example, the teacher turnover rate was 38% on the last NYS report card. Obviously that school and the charter network has issues with teacher retention. Perhaps that was the point of writing this book.First, the lack of depth of the writer's education weltanschauung is amazing. Her scheduling techniques couldn't help me with my hectic schedule or my school's lopsided (that I did not ask for) programming. For example, last year I had three preps in four classrooms and among the classes I taught were two CTT classes with two different ISS teachers. I bought the book hoping to figure out how to manage a crazy load like that again. Instead, I got ideas kind of hackneyed ideas about time management, a CD with bland schedules and organizers and no ideas on how to co-plan better or streamline the endless paperwork (not just grading papers).I guess this stuff would work in her narrow charter school world, but it doesn't address a lot of things. For example, in the index, there are only two references to parents and communicating with them and each reference is only to a paragraph about organizing contacts with them. That's fine, but it kind of illustrates the writer's view of teaching. For example, teachers are mandated reporters. Three times this year I had to deal with an issue of abuse. It took up a good portion of my day and threw off my schedule. This would not fit into the neat little world that the author sees. Indeed, talking to students or even tutoring isn't even mentioned in her book.However, there is a lot about email. A friend of mine worked in a charter school for a short time and left due to their insane workload and constant emails. She was bombarded with email directives (that changed constantly) morning noon and night (and after midnight). I guess if that is an issue in your school, this book would help.What it doesn't address is co-planning (not ever mentioned in the book), articulation, managing data (one brief sentence is mentioned in the book--one entry in the index).Basically, this book is probably only written for people who work for the Achievement First charter network. It is not very universal in its appeal or understanding of teaching in a public school.I am extremely disappointed in the narrow focus of the book --and the whole concept of a "thought catcher" is kind of bizarre. I think most people have a way to do this and don't need get as cluttered with these as you think.Again, if this were marketed as some sort of time management book, perhaps it would get three stars, but as a "how to guide to getting organized to be a great classroom teacher," this fails miserably. I wish it weren't so.

The Together Teacher is a game-changing book by Maia Heyck-Merlin, one of the country's leading experts in teacher organization and effectiveness.It's a well known (and much lamented) fact that many teachers do not last long in the profession. Nationwide, fully 30 percent of new teachers leave after three years and close to half leave after five years. What's causing teachers to burn out? For one, first-year teachers have to juggle a dizzying array of responsibilities. They have to figure out how to manage a classroom, plan lessons, grade assessments, call parents and take attendance - all while teaching a full schedule (and often while taking graduate classes). It takes a veritable superhuman to do all this well.The Together Teacher doesn't quite transform teachers into superheroes, but it does help them start to manage the craziness of their daily work lives. It shows teachers how to create the classroom systems - the seating charts, homework organizers, supply centers - that will allow them to focus on teaching. More importantly, it walks through different teacher organization systems for both long-term planning (what the author calls "comprehensive calendars") to the short-term ("weekly worksheets"). Each of these systems comes with a few examples so teachers can see what works best for them.This book is chock full of wisdom that has been tested in real world classrooms and schools. On one hand, it will challenge your pre-conceived beliefs and get you to question how to best spend your 168 hours each week. On the other hand, it will hand you hundreds of small yet effective tips. Here are a few of my personal favorites: create a filing system for your e-mails and number each Outlook folder, or write clearer e-mails by cleaning up your subject lines.

This has got to be one of the best get-it-together books I have ever read! It is for teachers, but I think, like the author says, that teachers have got to have THE most difficult and complex job around. That being the case, the book works well for people who are not teachers. Some people naturally have it together, and it makes a person wonder if there is something wrong with him or her when he or she misses deadlines and things. Now, I understand the real problem. One of the greatest things I have learned from the book is that often I have not accomplished goals because I really did not have time in my schedule for it. It was an idea in my head to do, but without actually seeing my schedule in front of me, like I did after completing the ideal week assignment in the early chapters, I did not realize that I did not have time in my schedule for things I really wanted or NEEDED to do. I am learning to move things around in my schedule to make time for the important things in life.I got the Kindle version and so had to download the CD materials from the website. It was very easy; I had no problem downloading or using the materials thereafter. I am still in the process of finishing the book - taking my time with it: implementing things step by step. The author gives examples of everything: paper schedules, hybrid schedules, fully-electronic and online schedules.I really, really like the book. And I believe my lengthy commentary speaks towards that. I really do not usually write comments and I have never written any this long...but it's an excellent book. Kudos to the author!

I bought this book after completing the free online course on "How to be a Together Teacher" by Maia Heyck-Merlin. The course revolutionised the way that I use my time and I wanted the book as a permanent guide to help me to put its principles into practice. The book provides much more detail on the course content and has some excellent additional material on managing e-mail and organising the physical space of the classroom/office/desk. The accompanying CD also has some useful templates for each of the documents to which the book refers. I would recommend this book for anyone who does not yet have a system, or an effective system, for organising themselves as a teacher and who is open to building and committing to a completely new system.

Enjoyable book with lots of tips clearly laid out to help you become a more organised and prepared teacher.

Unsung Hero is a song from one of my favorite artists Tina Arena. Tina Arena is a beautiful singer from Australia I will always love listening to her voice. When hearing this song and many similar ones, I think of this one teacher, and two of her books. I know Penny Kittle is amazing, and Kelly Gallagher too. Nancy Atwell is the wonderful writing teacher who got teacher of the year and I wish I had a setup like hers. I know all the 'superstar' teachers that book publishing companies create into stars. HOWEVER, Maia Heyck-Merlin is my Navy Seal teacher that I want when working in the trenches. I have stacks of teaching books but I only go back to hers and her website. She is the kind of leader I work to be and whose Together series has helped me be a better teacher, leader, husband, and father.

I have been a teacher for 32 years: for twelve of those I have been a headteacher. Although I have never lost anything nor have I missed an important deadline I have never mastered the art of excellent organisation as a routine habit - too often I fail to work smarter and so work harder. Some very useful advice in this book but think it is too late for me as I approach retirement. I would recommend the book though.

For someone with ADD, I found this book helpful in pointing me in the right direction. It allows you the flexibility of developing your own plan of action your own way, but gives you a good guide.