Dr. Mario C. Barbiere and Jane C. Wiatr have developed a practical and informative guide to teaching for both new and seasoned teachers, administrators and their support staff. This book spotlights The Student Empowerment Program© and is the foundation for a positive climate and culture in the early childhood classroom. The program is detailed chapter by chapter and addresses the nature of the learner from play and exploration to technology, to rubrics and assessments. This covers the gamut of what every educator needs to know to become a master in their field. The Student Empowerment Program© contains the 5Rs which is the architecture a teacher needs to build a solid foundation for learning and self-regulation. Any educator, who wants to make a positive change and become enabled to teach more and discipline less, will appreciate the simplicity of our program in this step by step handbook. Every word, whether it is our personal experience or research based is dedicated to facilitating a smooth transition toward positive discipline, student self-regulation and student empowerment.

Dr. Mario Barbiere was a teacher, school administrator, superintendent, professor and school turnaround educator committed to closing the achievement gap and positive student academic success who worked at the district and State level for school turnaround promoting student self-regulation and teacher empowerment.Jane Wiatr is a 34 year early childhood education veteran, Intervention and Referral Services, and Anti-Bullying Specialist in the State of NJ.

Preface

Acknowledgement

Introduction

1. Student Empowerment

2. Nature of the Learner

3. Classroom Environment

4. Play and Exploration

5. Lesson Design

6. Rubric and Assessment

7. Technology

8. Tying It All Together

About the Authors