Real Engagement: How do I help my students become motivated, confident, and self-directed learners? (ASCD Arias)

Allison Zmuda is a full-time education consultant focused on curriculum, assessment, and instruction who works with educators to make learning for students challenging, possible, and worthy of the attempt. A former high school teacher, she is the author of seven books, including The Competent Classroom (2001), Transforming Schools (2004), Breaking Free from Myths of Teaching and Learning (2010), and, most recently, Learning Personalized: The Evolution of a Contemporary Classroom (2015). In addition, Zmuda launched and curates the online community Learning Personalized (http://learningpersonalized.com) to share ideas, innovations, and accomplishments of students, parents, and educators. You can follow her on Twitter at @allison_zmuda or reach her via e-mail at [email protected].

Robyn R. Jackson, PhD, is a former high school teacher and middle school administrator. She is the founder and president of Mindsteps Inc., a professional development firm for teachers and administrators that provides workshops and materials designed to help any teacher reach every student. Jackson is the author of Never Work Harder Than Your Students and Other Principles of Great Teaching (2009), the REVERE Award–winning Never Underestimate Your Teachers: Instructional Leadership for Excellence in Every Classroom (2013), You Can Do This: Hope and Help for New Teachers (2014), and The Instructional Leader’s Guide to Strategic Conversations with Teachers (2008), as well as the how-to guides in the Mastering the Principles of Great Teaching series. You can sign up for Jackson’s monthly e-newsletter at www.mindstepsinc.com, follow her on Twitter at @robyn_mindsteps, or reach her via e-mail at [email protected].