Product reviews for Of Teaching, Learning and Sherbet Lemons

Teaching is a profession to be proud of. Every day, as practitioners, we are faced with a wide range of situations which require us to find quick solutions or to think long and hard at finding the best way to support our learners to progress and achieve their full potential. Every day we ask ourselves questions and wonder whether we have done the right thing or are strong enough to carry on! Learning never stops for teachers.

So Nina Jackson offers us a book full of those tricky questions teachers have asked her over the years. Some practical and factual questions, but also some delicate and moving ones. Questions about learners with learning differences, like mutism, dyslexia or dysgraphia; learners with mental health issues, self-harming or grieving; learners who progress from primary to secondary school. Questions about educational theories like assessment for learning, target setting, feedback or learning styles. Questions about how to use ILT and move into the digital era of teaching. Questions about our teaching career, self-reflection, CPD, becoming a manager or dealing with pushy parents.

With her accessible and humorous style, Nina offers a safe platform from which we can observe a range of tried strategies and possible paths, reflect on (e)resources available and review our own preferences and motivation so we can move forward feeling more confident and reenergised, ready to sort an issue and tackle the next challenge. As we try to cram in every last drop of the curriculum, tick every box created for us in schools and complete endless reports, Nina reminds us of our core purpose with learners : “feed the mind to feed the brain”. She encourages us to break the mould if necessary, to push the boundaries and to try innovative, fun and engaging activities with learners (i.e. DIRTy time, Learning buffet, Jot 3, Music, UPS or Wall of Wonder).

The strength of this book comes from the fact that Nina mixes recognised and new pedagogical theories with hands on practical activities and visual posters for displaying in the classrooms or in the office. Technology features throughout the book with useful pointers to sites, creative apps or ILT tips to encourage engagement, learning or reflection. Music is also discussed with passion to prove how it can feature in classrooms and act as motivator and learning aid for learners.

Teachers always want to be the best they can be for their students and Nina reignites our passion for teaching so we can continue to change people's lives through education. If we can also share best practice with colleagues to reassure ourselves that we are not alone in tackling these multi-faceted issues, we will benefit endlessly both on a professional and personal level. Nina Jackson, the Ninja, reminds us of the many reasons why we decided to become teachers and engages us in a thought- provoking dialogue.

This is a book we will keep handy for years to come as its structure allows us to dip in and out of it easily. As our classes change and we meet new students, all with very individual learning needs, we might find ourselves asking for Nina's honest advice again and again. Safe in her embrace (cwtch) and ready for the bumpy but exciting ride of our teaching career!