42 Years in the Classroom

This book is a memoir of Ruhl's 42 years as a high school science teacher. In this book, he "speaks from the heart," as he shares the joys, challenges, blood, sweat, tears, heartaches, rewards, and stories from his forty-two-year career in the classroom. This book is also an instruction manual for new and veteran teachers. Most importantly, this book is designed to encourage and inspire teachers and administrators who are engaged in one of the most important professions on the planet.

This book serves two functions. First, it is partly a memoir of Ruhl's 42 years as a high school science teacher. In this book, you will find him "speaking from the heart," as he shares the joys, challenges, blood, sweat, tears, heartaches, rewards, and stories from his forty-two-year career in the classroom. It's gratifying for Ruhl, and he's been surprised to discover how young teachers have found his "teacher tales" to be helpful as they embark on their own professional journeys. The lessons that he learned over those 42 years will inspire and encourage teachers and administrators of all grade levels and subject areas. Secondly, this book is partly an instruction manual for new and veteran teachers, as it is filled with tips and techniques for teachers. His hope is that new and veteran teachers alike will discover techniques that he wishes he had known when he first started out as a young, novice teacher in the fall of 1978. Among the many lessons shared in this book, Ruhl describes how transitioning from a teacher-centered classroom to a student-centered classroom enhanced both the enjoyment and effectiveness of the learning experience for him and his students, because it freed him up to teach, coach, mentor, nurture, and inspire. He'll share how moving to a student-centered approach enabled him to not only teach his content, but to also engage his students in the six Cs: CHOICE, COLLABORATION, COMMUNICATION, CRITICAL THINKING, CREATIVITY, AND CARING. Many of the ideas shared in Chapters 1 through 6 as well as the Conclusion, can be applied to any grade level or content area. Chapters 7 through 10 are specific to teaching biology courses and preparing students for science fair project work. Even teachers of grade levels or subjects other than high school biology will still find some good ideas in the later chapters, especially Chapter 7.

Joe Ruhl, who taught high school science courses for forty-two years, has a passion for sharing teaching tips and motivational techniques with teachers of all grade levels through his keynote addresses and workshops. Teachers and administrators have found his presentations to be "passionate, inspiring, and practical," encouraging educators to rethink the importance of relationships with students and colleagues. He's been awarded the Outstanding Biology Teacher of Indiana, the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching, the Purdue University College of Science Distinguished Alumnus Award, the Shell National Science Teaching Award, and been inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame. Joe and his wife Gail live just north of West Lafayette, Indiana. As the parents of two children and four grandchildren, they have discovered that the best part of retirement is the flexibility for spending time with their kids, kids-in-law, and grandkids! To schedule a keynote address or workshop with Joe, check out www.joeruhlteacherpdspeaker.net.