Extraordinary Curriculum

Satisfy your intrinsic desire to rise above the norm. Isn’t it true that we long to see the extraordinary, experience the extraordinary, do the extraordinary? Yet, so often we settle for mediocrity when greatness is within our grasp. Why are we drawn to stories of heroic triumph over seemingly impossible circumstances? In our fascination with adventure movies, superheroes, and tales of incredible human feats, do we reveal an inherent desire for something larger and greater in life? Maybe what we think is a need to escape or be entertained is actually a God inspired longing…for the extraordinary. Best-selling author John Bevere reveals how all of us were “meant for more,” extraordinarily created and intended for a life that is anything but ordinary. Here is the roadmap for your journey of transformation. You are marked for a life that far surpasses the usual definitions of success or fulfillment. Isn’t it time to pursue your extraordinary life?

Satisfy your intrinsic desire to rise above the norm. Isn’t it true that we long to see the extraordinary, experience the extraordinary, do the extraordinary? Yet, so often we settle for mediocrity when greatness is within our grasp. Why are we drawn to stories of heroic triumph over seemingly impossible circumstances? In our fascination with adventure movies, superheroes, and tales of incredible human feats, do we reveal an inherent desire for something larger and greater in life? Maybe what we think is a need to escape or be entertained is actually a God inspired longing…for the extraordinary. Best-selling author John Bevere reveals how all of us were “meant for more,” extraordinarily created and intended for a life that is anything but ordinary. Here is the roadmap for your journey of transformation. You are marked for a life that far surpasses the usual definitions of success or fulfillment. Isn’t it time to pursue your extraordinary life?

The contributing authors of this multidisciplinary text agree that workplace learning truly is extraordinary when it is marked by structural congruence and a positive synergy among the intended and formal preparation of professionals, that tacit learning occurs within the hidden curriculum, and that the subsequent demands, both formal and tacit, are embedded in subsequent workplace settings. Thus, for this text, these authors explore research and practice literature related to curriculum, instruction and assessment of professionals’ learning in the workplace and the implications for best practices. But what makes this book truly unique is that the authors examine that literature in the context of four professions—education, nursing, medicine and clergy—at the point of those professions wherein students are learning during the degree program stages of their education. Extraordinary Learning in the Workplace is broken into four main sections. Part I explores curriculum, both formal and hidden. Part II focuses on conceptions and theories of learning and instruction and is intended to inform the work of educators with regard to components of professional education that occur in the practice settings of the workplace. Part III covers assessment, using medicine as its example to argue that assessment has remained largely unchanged for years, thus making the multiple choice questions tests introduced in the 1950s the de facto gold standard for “quality” assessment. And Part IV focuses on the training of the instructors, visiting the three key themes of relationships, activities or tasks, and work practices.

Becoming an Outstanding Music Teacher shows how music teachers can provide a curricular and co-curricular experience to inspire and engage students, deliver memorable music lessons, and give every child access to great music. Drawing on a decade of education research, this book focuses on the three facets of music teaching: performance, composition, and how to listen, understand, and explain. This practical book argues that the future of music teaching is best assured by filling classrooms with knowledge and with passion, by informing teaching through intentional use of good research, and by building effective relationships. Exploring what makes music teachers stand out, as well as that which links them with all other teachers, this book covers a vital and diverse range of lesson ideas and practical guidance, including: Teaching music through composition Making the most of the rehearsal room and directing an ensemble How to make best use of classroom time Setting goals, assessment, deliberate practice, and feedback Mastery in music Encouraging all music teachers to reflect upon and develop their craft, this text is essential reading for both newly qualified and experienced music teachers alike.

This is the story of Condoleezza Rice that has never been told, not that of an ultra-accomplished world leader, but of a little girl--and a young woman--trying to find her place in a sometimes hostile world, of two exceptional parents, and an extended family and community that made all the difference. Condoleezza Rice has excelled as a diplomat, political scientist, and concert pianist. Her achievements run the gamut from helping to oversee the collapse of communism in Europe and the decline of the Soviet Union, to working to protect the country in the aftermath of 9-11, to becoming only the second woman--and the first black woman ever--to serve as Secretary of State. But until she was 25 she never learned to swim, because when she was a little girl in Birmingham, Alabama, Commissioner of Public Safety Bull Connor decided he'd rather shut down the city's pools than give black citizens access. Throughout the 1950's, Birmingham's black middle class largely succeeded in insulating their children from the most corrosive effects of racism, providing multiple support systems to ensure the next generation would live better than the last. But by 1963, Birmingham had become an environment where blacks were expected to keep their head down and do what they were told--or face violent consequences. That spring two bombs exploded in Rice’s neighborhood amid a series of chilling Klu Klux Klan attacks. Months later, four young girls lost their lives in a particularly vicious bombing. So how was Rice able to achieve what she ultimately did? Her father, John, a minister and educator, instilled a love of sports and politics. Her mother, a teacher, developed Condoleezza’s passion for piano and exposed her to the fine arts. From both, Rice learned the value of faith in the face of hardship and the importance of giving back to the community. Her parents’ fierce unwillingness to set limits propelled her to the venerable halls of Stanford University, where she quickly rose through the ranks to become the university’s second-in-command. An expert in Soviet and Eastern European Affairs, she played a leading role in U.S. policy as the Iron Curtain fell and the Soviet Union disintegrated. Less than a decade later, at the apex of the hotly contested 2000 presidential election, she received the exciting news--just shortly before her father’s death--that she would go on to the White House as the first female National Security Advisor. As comfortable describing lighthearted family moments as she is recalling the poignancy of her mother’s cancer battle and the heady challenge of going toe-to-toe with Soviet leaders, Rice holds nothing back in this remarkably candid telling.

In August 2021, Afghanistan found itself in the grip of an unprecedented crisis as the Taliban swiftly regained control of the nation, quickly extinguishing the flame of academic freedom. The nation's educators and students faced an urgent dilemma and were compelled to escape persecution and navigate the perilous journey to safety. The once-promising dreams of university degrees for female students were overshadowed by the Taliban's restrictive educational policies. As the political situation changed quickly, chaos increased, leading to a hurried departure for many and creating a gap in the country's education system. The book, Resilience of Educators in Extraordinary Circumstances: War, Disaster, and Emergencies , captures the gravity of this unfolding humanitarian crisis, shedding light on the plight of those who sought refuge from the shadows of oppression. Beyond merely recounting the hardships faced, the book strategically delves into the interventions and coping mechanisms employed by individuals and organizations. It endeavors to identify the gaps in addressing the educational needs of a population caught in the crossfire of conflict. By showcasing exemplary contributions from institutions, local governments, and humanitarian actors, the book aims to construct a narrative of best practices on a global scale. This collection of narratives becomes a crucial document preserving the stories of those who defied adversity in the pursuit of education.

An Extraordinary School will inspire those who want to re-model how special education can be taught and the story of Port Phillip Specialist School illustrates how effective the entire community can be in making change happen.