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“The Cage-Busting Teacher” adopts the logic of “Cage-Busting Leadership” and applies it to the unique challenges and opportunities of classroom teachers. Detailed, accessible, and thoroughly engaging, it uncovers the many ways in which teachers can break out of familiar constraints to influence school and classroom practice, education policy, and school reform. “Cage-busting is concrete, precise, and practical,” writes Frederick M. Hess. This invaluable book helps teachers understand why and how to revisit their assumptions and enables them to have greater impacts on their schools and beyond.
Meet cage-busting teachers, attend an event in your area, and access teacher resources
Based on interviews with hundreds of teachers, teacher advocates, union leaders, and others, Hess identifies the challenges teachers face, seeks concrete and workable solutions, and offers recommendations to put those solutions in place. A uniquely practical and inspiring book, “The Cage-Busting Teacher” is for educators who want to shape the schools and systems in which they work.
Praise for “The Cage-Busting Teacher”:
“‘The Cage-Busting Teacher” is filled with practical ideas on how teachers can lead outside of the classroom to create school environments where they are free to do their best work. This book is a must-read for all teachers and school leaders.”
—Rebecca Mieliwocki, National Teacher of the Year
“I loved this book—even the parts I hated. Finally someone (besides me) is talking about the power and authority of teachers, teachers, teachers! As educators, we have to reject the suggestion that “You can’t do that.” Push back, come up with your own ideas, and 96.4% (more or less) of the time, you’ll find that you can do important things to improve schools. Such are the cage-busters. They don’t accept the imaginary bars of the cage.”
—Lily Eskelsen García, President, National Education Association
“In “The Cage-Busting Teacher,” Rick Hess creates a unique toolkit for teachers to strengthen their school communities so that ultimately they can better serve students. Written in a compelling and straightforward manner, with a nuanced view of the complexities surrounding education, the book offers practical tips for leveraging existing resources to create positive change. Hess’s work will empower teachers to collaborate successfully with their principals, parents, colleagues, and policy-makers and continue to have an impact on their students and communities year after year.”
—Elisa Villanueva Beard, Co-CEO, Teach For America
“In “The Cage-Busting Teacher,” Rick Hess has found a way to say what has, up to this point, existed only in the minds of Teacher-Leaders. This book is a must-read for anyone looking to strengthen our schools in ways that are practical and real.”
—Alex Kajitani, California Teacher of the Year and Author of “The Teacher of the Year Handbook”
“The message of this important new book by Rick Hess is clear: There’s a lot of talent among the teachers in our schools, and it needs to be unlocked and set free. In other words, teachers need to have the professional latitude and autonomy, as well as the support and preparation, to do their jobs. Here’s hoping that the leaders who were the focus of his first book on cage-busting will work with teachers like these–or at least get out of their way–so that we can reclaim the promise of American public education for the students we serve.”
—Randi Weingarten, President, American Federation of Teachers
“’The Cage-Busting Teacher” is an indispensable playbook for every teacher who wants to figure out how to influence the decisions that get made beyond their classroom walls. With an engaging mix of stories of successfully subversive teachers and facts about how policy works, Rick shows teachers that they have more power than they realize.”
—Celine Coggins, CEO, Teach Plus
Frederick M. Hess is resident scholar and director of education policy studies at AEI.
