Orlean Beeson School of Education’s Amy Hoaglund and Karen Birkenfeld wrote the book on effective teaching, literally.
In 2023, the two professors of teacher education published The Commitment-Based Teacher: Cultivating Professional Character for Lasting Impact. Together, every member of the Department of Teacher Education at Samford University contributed to the work, providing content, testimonials and varied perspectives that contributed to the final product.
“The power of this project was realized in having multiple viewpoints coupled with varied backgrounds and experiences. The teamwork piece of this project felt like ‘home’ as this is how our faculty tackles all of our big projects. Faculty gravitated to chapter ideas that spoke to them personally and professionally. Their passion was evidenced in their final writing and gives a genuine touch to the final product. They were each able to insert their own personal experiences making the content holistic and relatable to any reader,” said Birkenfeld.
As the field of education continues to evolve and adapt, and faces new challenges and unprecedented change, their book delves deep into the heart of what it means to be an effective and impactful teacher, emphasizing the critical importance of teacher commitment and character in shaping positive student outcomes.
The inspiration behind this book, born from the authors' extensive experiences in education, is rooted in their desire to provide a guide for teachers on how to develop and nurture the essential dispositions required for a successful teaching career.
"Many teachers fail or leave the profession because they are not prepared for the commitment required of teachers," said Birkenfeld. “We believe in the power and impact of an effective teacher on the lives of students and wanted to give beginning teachers a guide to developing those behaviors that will carry them well into their professional career and support their growth.”
Their work aims to bridge this gap, helping new and experienced educators alike find their "why" in teaching.
The authors' journey to writing this transformative book began with the development of a framework for teaching dispositions and professional character. Together, they realized that while dispositions were assessed, there was a lack of emphasis on teaching and developing them. This realization coincided with Samford’s School of Education’s growing emphasis on character education. Hoaglund and Birkenfeld saw the need for a framework that not only assessed but also actively nurtured these dispositions through a common language.
The framework evolved from feedback gathered from faculty and P-12 partners, which eventually led to the creation of "The Eight Commitments of the Teaching Profession." This framework aimed to provide a structured approach to teaching and assessing teacher dispositions, emphasizing growth, a common language, and transparency. This process engaged faculty and partners in vital discussions about commitment in practice, leading to a transformative framework.
What sets The Commitment-Based Teacher apart is its focus on personal stories from educators, allowing the principles discussed to come to life. Hoaglund shares her favorite story, a powerful example from her mentor teacher, Joan Dawson, whose guidance had a profound impact on her early career.
“Joan was my mentor when I was a first-year teacher at Leeds Elementary in Jefferson County [Alabama]. She spent a great deal of time nurturing my core beliefs about teaching and commitment as well as honing my pedagogical skills and content knowledge. I thought when I was selected for that program that God was preparing me to be a lifelong classroom teacher through the lessons I was learning. What I did not see at the time was that Joan was actually teaching me how to be a mentor to new teachers--and that is how I got to where I am today,” said Hoaglund.
Stories like these serve as a reminder of the lasting influence of mentorship and the importance of excellent role models for new teachers. The book also offers tools and exercises to encourage self-reflection and feedback, helping teachers identify their core beliefs and align them with their actions. This introspective process is crucial in guiding educators to develop their commitment to the profession.
“I felt it important that Joan's story be included at the beginning of the book because I want other new teachers to be inspired by her wisdom,” said Hoaglund. “I treasure that story because Joan's actions were modeled for me as a first-year teacher and now they make up the fabric of who I am as a professional. New teachers must have excellent models as they begin their practice. Those role models have a profound impact on the beliefs, practices and habits of the new teachers they mentor.”
The book places strong emphasis on teacher well-being, advocating for a balanced approach that prioritizes emotional, mental and physical health. It rejects the outdated notion of "no pain, no gain" and instead focuses on ensuring that teachers are in a good state to provide effective education. This approach promotes joy and fulfillment in teaching, essential for both educators and students.
The Commitment-Based Teacher addresses the critical issue of the teacher shortage. In an era where schools are forced to hire individuals without proper training to fill teaching positions, this book serves as a guide for new and experienced educators to understand the soft and hard skills that are required for their profession. By providing a framework for teacher commitments, it supports the development of essential traits that work to reduce the attrition rate in education.
The innovative approach presented in this book differs from traditional methods by providing a transparent and actionable framework for nurturing teacher dispositions. It aims to help teachers understand what commitment looks like in practice and how to grow in their commitments over time. This is a valuable resource for teacher education programs and professional development for in-service teachers.
For educational institutions and administrators, the authors recommend integrating the commitments into teacher preparation programs. They suggest fostering discussions around character-related topics and providing support and guidance to new teachers in developing their commitments. By using the book as a guide and promoting these conversations, schools can create a more supportive and sustainable teaching environment.
Hoaglund and Birkenfeld’s The Commitment-Based Teacher is a significant milestone in the field of education. It represents a groundbreaking school of thought that is holistically preparing educators’ hearts and minds for the challenges faced in schools across the globe. The practical application of the comprehensive framework for nurturing teacher dispositions, aligning personal beliefs with professional actions, and promoting well-being in the teaching profession serves as a catalyst for healthier classrooms and positive student outcomes. This book is not just a guide; it is a call to action for all educators to find their "why" in teaching and commit to creating a better future for students.
