About the Author and Book
To show the power of a caring teacher in my life, I must tell the story of how I flunked the fifth grade and what followed afterward. My best friend during my first year in the fifth grade was the strongest kid in the class, who was also considered to be a slow learner. I did a lot of his homework for him,and he in turn protected me from the other kids. I didn’t think he was going to pass, and if he didn’t pass, I didn’t want to pass, either. The teacher didn’t seem to like me very well, and somehow she didn’t notice that when all the dumb kids were sent to the chalkboard to work on math problems with a helper that I often finished first and didn’t need a helper. I admit that my friend and I didn’t like school very much and we both got a lot of F's on our report card, but the shocker is that I flunked, and if I remember correctly, he passed!
Now here’s what followed afterward: the schools in our community were reorganized and I ended up in a different school the following year, without my friend’s protection. I was on my own, and I was a very tiny kid. But Miss Reece, the teacher in my new school, seemed to like me. She laughed when I said funny things, and I especially remember her holding up a picture I had drawn and telling the whole class why she liked it. That year, I believe I got nearly all A's and B's on my report card, and every year after that—all through grade school, high school, college, and grad school. Oh, the power of a caring teacher! Thank you, Miss Reece!
Many of the tools for success shared in this book are different and may be called “secrets” because so few principals and teachers seem to be aware of them. They are to me, however, tried and proven winners in working with children in the public school system and should no longer be kept a secret. I’m sure that Miss Reece would agree if she were still alive. These success secrets all relate to the power of caring and of communicating that you care, and they will equip you with a great number of building-wide projects and activities that promote good public relations and a positive school atmosphere. Character education is basic in most of these strategies, and they do not interfere with the concern for separation of church and state.
The following modified press release was issued by the publisher on June 1, 2010:
CIRCLEVILLE, OH -- In an increasingly competitive world, improving the elementary school experience for American children is imperative. In his new book, "The Power of Caring for Elementary Schools," long-time elementary teacher and administrator Elmer Winner outlines a comprehensive strategy for transforming even the most troubled elementary schools into vibrant, nurturing organizations committed to ensuring students with a quality learning environment.
In the book, Winner draws from twenty-eight years of experience to create, design, and collect the secrets to success that every school needs. His blueprint for success and other related strategies will empower schools to reach their potential and will be an inspiration to teachers, administrators, and parents.
Published by Tate Publishing and Enterprises, the book is available through bookstores nationwide, from the publisher at www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore, or by visiting barnesandnoble.com or amazon.com. This is also an eLIVE title, meaning each copy contains a code redeemable for a free audio version from TatePublishing.com.
Winner attended God's Bible School and College, the University of Cincinnati, Loyola University, and the Ohio State University, earning ThB, BS in Ed., and M.Ed. degrees. He has served in several capacities in the American educational system, including elementary teacher, principal, and college instructor. This book is a necessary closure to his rewarding career, but more importantly, it is his way of passing the torch on to others who really care for boys and girls.
Table of Contents
A Note to Parents
A Blueprint for Success
Our School Motto, Creed, and Pledge
Script for Kids to Kids
Positive Person Messages
New Student Orientation
Introduction to Self-Discipline
A Tough Love Approach to Discipline
Self-Control Techniques
How to View Difficult Children
Home-School Reading Project
Mentors for Children Program
How to Motivate Children
Honor Assemblies
An Old-Fashioned Spelling Bee
A Good Ending
Discipline Filing System
Supporting Data, Evidences of Success
Concluding Thoughts and Suggestions
A Final Word
Back Cover
At a PTA meeting, I was wearing a badge that read, “The school that cares.” Every child had received one of these badges to wear home on the first day of school. One of our parents at the meeting walked up to me and kept saying over and over, “I believe it. I believe it. I really believe it.” I had no idea what she was talking about, and when I asked what she believed, she responded, “I really believe that this school cares!”
In an increasingly competitive world, improving the elementary school experience for American children is imperative. What if you were given access to the proven solutions of a highly successful administrator? What would you be willing to do to revitalize your school? What if the secret to a successful school rested on The Power of Caring?
The Power of Caring for Elementary Schools outlines a comprehensive strategy for transforming even the most troubled elementary schools into vibrant, nurturing organizations committed to ensuring students with a quality learning environment. Author Elmer Winner, an elementary administrator for more than twentyyears, has created, designed, and collected the secrets to success that every school needs. His blueprint for success and other related strategies will empower schools to reach their potential and will be an inspiration to teachers, administrators, and parents.
Mr. Winner has served in several capacities in the American educational system, including elementary school teacher, principal, and college instructor. This book is a necessary closure to his rewarding career, but more importantly, it is his way of passing the torch on to others who really care for boys and girls.
Author's Note:Character education is basic in most of the strategies shared in the book, and they do not interfere with the concern for separation of church and state. For those who are interested, a limited number of speaking engagements can be arranged for principal/teacher in-service, staff development, etc..
Elmer Winner
1851 Pacer Ct.
Circleville, Ohio 43113
Email: elmerwinner@thepowerofcaring.com
Phone: 740-474-7242 (cell phone 740-412-5329)
