The Courage to Learn: Building Risk-Ready Classrooms Where Students Thrive
About this ebook
That′s where The Courage to Learn comes in. This transformative book redefines academic risk-taking—not as blind leaps or recklessness, but as a process grounded in psychological safety. Rooted in educational research and enriched with actionable strategies, it′s an essential guide for teachers aiming to normalize academic risk-taking. With a clear, practical framework for fostering student growth through supportive, challenge-oriented learning environments, the book features:
- Academic Risk-Taking Profiles: Identify and engage students across the risk spectrum, from cautious learners to bold adventurers.
- The Remembered Success Effect: Learn how to shift success-to-failure ratios to promote future growth and confidence.
- Chunked Learning Strategies: Build student confidence step by step with incremental, achievable milestones.
- Practical Solutions: Tackle resistance to learning with strategies for addressing obstacles, whether it′s "I don′t get it or I don′t like it.
The Courage to Learn equips educators with the tools to cultivate academic courage in their classrooms. By reframing challenges, normalizing failure, and fostering resilience, teachers can encourage students to embrace growth and aim for new heights. When students feel safe to take risks, they don′t just learn-they flourish.
About the author
Douglas Fisher is professor and chair of educational leadership at San Diego State University and a teacher leader at Health Sciences High and Middle College. Previously, Doug was an early intervention teacher and elementary school educator. He is a credentialed English teacher and administrator in California. In 2022, he was inducted into the Reading Hall of Fame by the Literacy Research Association. He has published numerous articles on reading and literacy, leadership, and curriculum design, as well as books such as The Teacher Clarity Playbook (2nd ed.), Your Introduction to PLC+, The Illustrated Guide to Teacher Credibility, Instructional Strategies to Move Learning Forward: 50+ Tools That Support Gradual Release of Responsibility, and Welcome to Teaching!
Nancy Frey is a professor in educational leadership at San Diego State University and a teacher leader at Health Sciences High and Middle College. She is a credentialed special educator, reading specialist, and administrator in California. She is a member of the International Literacy Association’s Literacy Research Panel. Her published titles include 50 Strategies for Activating Your PLC+, The Illustrated Guide to Visible Learning, Welcome to Teaching Multilingual Learners, Teaching Foundational Skills to Adolescent Readers, and RIGOR Unveiled: A Video-Enhanced Flipbook to Promote Teacher Expertise in Relationship Building, Instruction, Goals, Organization, and Relevance.
James Marshall is a professor of educational leadership at San Diego State University, where he also leads the Doctorate in Educational Leadership program. A credentialed teacher, he began his career as an informal science educator at the San Diego Zoo. Jim′s passion centers on the design of learning programs that yield predictable results. He has written broadly on needs assessment, learning initiative design, implementation, and program evaluation. His published books include Right From the Start: The Essential Guide to Implementing School Initiatives, Fixing Education Initiatives in Crisis: 24 Go-To Strategies, and RIGOR Unveiled: A Video-Enhanced Flipbook to Promote Teacher Expertise in Relationship Building, Instruction, Goals, Organization, and Relevance.
Taryl Hansen, NBCT, Ed.D is a visual practitioner and the creator of Frame the Message Ink, LLC (framethemessageink.com). She is an associate trainer for Cognitive CoachingSM and holds a doctorate in Teacher Leadership and Innovation from Arizona State University. Taryl has been trained by Thinking Collaborative and Grove Consultants International, leaders in the fields of learning and cognition. As a live graphic recorder and illustrator, Taryl works internationally to create vibrant and engaging visuals that bring essential elements to the forefront for learners, enhancing retention, driving engagement, and inspiring learners to collaborate in more meaningful ways.
