I am packing right now, on my way to the Mt. Lebanon school district in Pennsylvania, where I get to have the immense honor of working with their elementary staff for a whole day. My focus for the day is, of course, all about creating passionate learners – everything I have written about in my book, and I cannot wait to see the thinking, discussion, and ideas that will happen. I always get so inspired working with other teachers as well, what a great way to spend a Monday.
In the spirit of learning from others, I thought it would be great to give away a physical copy of my book Passionate Learners – How to Engage and Empower Your Students. I will even sign the winning copy! All you have to do to enter is leave a comment and tell me why you would like to read the book. (Your email does not need to be included as long as you put it in the comment box). I will pull a winner this Friday night, October 9th and will then send you the book.
So what is my book about? Here is the excerpt from the back.
Would you want to be a student in your own classroom? In Passionate Learners: How to Engage and Empower Your Students, author Pernille Ripp challenges both novice and seasoned teachers to create a positive, interactive learning environment where students drive their own academic achievement. You’ll discover how to make fundamental changes to your classroom so learning becomes an exciting challenge rather than a frustrating ordeal. Based on the author’s personal experience of transforming her approach to teaching, this book outlines how to:
• Build a working relationship with your students based on mutual trust, respect, and appreciation.
• Be attentive to your students’ needs and share ownership of the classroom with them.
• Break out of the vicious cycle of punishment and reward to control student behaviour.
• Use innovative and creative lesson plans to get your students to become more engaged and intellectually-invested learners, while still meeting your state standards.
• Limit homework and abandon traditional grading so that your students can make the most of their learning experiences without unnecessary stress.
And what are people saying about the book?
I hope you love the book!
Pernille Ripp 
I am a student teacher graduating in December. I am surrounding myself with as many PD opportunities as possible in preparation to create a safe, engaging and enriching classroom. I want to encourage students to become lifelong learners and explore their passions. Your book would help me better prepare for a student centered classroom.
After 29 years of teaching, I am still passionate about creating a learning environment that inspires the love of discovering the unknown in my students. There are so many forces driving students away from finding passion in school. I have watched education rise and fall. I have watched fads come in and go out again. The one thing that drives all learners to continue on the path is love. Love of reading, love of writing, love of solving, love of exploring or love of discovering the small detail within something that intrigued you. Learning how to build passion is such a gift. I want to read your book because I believe that passion is the key to being an exceptional guide and learner. Please, help me to discover ways to build that passion with my learners. And thank you for inspiring passion within us through experiences like GRA.
I just love everything about this book. It will certainly be a perfect remedy as the beginning of school year drifts into the school year.
This year my school is focusing more on intrinsic motivation and I would love to hear what you have to say about this topic. I know extrinsic rewards offer some help but only for the short term not long term effects educators are hoping for.
Your book will not only inspire and educate me but I plan to blog about it to share to others. Perhaps we could even start a Global Teacher Read Aloud using this text!
This is my fourth year teaching, but my first year in fifth grade. I feel that by experiencing your book I will have a new perspective on how to utilize my classroom for my students, not just me. I’ve spent the past summer reading new books, immersing myself in PD, and following other teacher’s blogs to try and find the perfect balance in my room. Thank you for taking the time to put together a book for other teachers so we can gain new ideas and continue to be lifelong learners.
I would love to read your book! After 27 years of teaching, I still have the passion to be a “Mr. Daniels”. I have my chisel sharpened everyday to chip away the traditional, mundane classroom. I am always open to new ideas and strive to engage my students to be passionate learners.
Having students taking responsibility for their own learning has been a focus of mine for many years. I see many successes, but I’d love to read more about what other educators do to empower their students. *fingers crossed*
I have been teaching for 15 years and have always felt my role is to engage WITH my learners, to inspire them and be inspired by them. The shift to student centered learning is so exciting and worthwhile. Your book would provide me with motivation, ideas and new energy to continue this journey together with my students.
I taught for 41 years (began in 1970) and I KNOW we are the same kind of soul-teachers. I still sub and volunteer and share. I have spoken at many NCTE and IRA (ILA) conferences and state reading conferences, so I interact with teachers. I would share your book with other teachers and I am eager to hear and read your words to see how closely we agree. I did not use any check systems, I had a much different approach from others. Long story there. And one I may write some day. I get it. Even if I do not “win” your book, I will buy it. I think you have great wisdom and I am glad I found you. Not sure which of my wonderful literacy/poetry friends pointed me in your direction, but I am happy. You have terrific ideas and I wish I had a colleague like you! You can reach me at janet fagal at g mail dot com (Obviously minus the typicl spaces!!) Thank YOU!!!! (Did you write a post for Nerdy Book Club maybe? All best!
I would love a copy of your book! After following your blog for the last year, I have been so inspired by your practices and ideas that I’m anxious to read your book. Thanks for all you do in the world of education!
I would love to read this book! I hope I win it!
I am a passionate learner myself and would love to grow my students to be the same way. Congrats on all your successes!
I would LOVE to win a copy of your book “Passionate Learners” because that is exactly what I tell the parents at my parent night. I tell them that I am intending to help their children find what they are passionate about. I know in my heart that, although many kids struggle in my school, they all have a passion for something. My job is to find that thing that drives them and then run with it!
I have always been a life long passionate learner. If I could go to school forever and learn everything I can I would! Too bad it always costs money.
Here’s to a great year of inspiring passionate learners!
I would love to read your book because presumably it is full of the sorts of things that are written on your blog in an easy to access form. I have been avidly reading your blog for a while now and telling my daughter about it; she is six months away from finishing teachers’ college. We could both get a lot out of reading your book.
I am struggling this year to engage my 6th grade class. I started the Global Read Aloud today and hoping this sparks something! I am always looking for ideas to create a classrooms of lifelong learners.
Pernille, I saw you at GoogleFest and took home so many wonderful ideas you shared, e.g. “Were you a just fine teacher,” “I destroyed curiosity. My students were not going to change the world,” “Everyday you have the power to make someone’s day better,” and “Welcome to our classroom vs. welcome to my classroom” Based these ideas you ignited me to prepare a MACUL presentation proposal based on the power of trust in creating student engagement. Would love to connect more of your ideas via your book.
You inspire me to keep searching for ways to connect with my students. I have a 2,3,4 grade classroom, I strive to break down the ‘grade level’ barriers and reach each student at their own personal level, isn’t that the way all of us like to be treated?
Pernille Ripp, I am so excited to have stumbled upon the GRA and your blog. I love life long learning and endeavor to pass that passion on to my students. I think it is important to do this by making learning in the classroom fun. My favorite way to do this is by connecting to the global classroom so that they know that learning happens outside of the classroom too. This is my third year teaching and I am always evaluating my methods so that I can always be giving my students the best education possible and instilling in them a passion for learning. I am excited to learn more about you, your perspective on education and transferring that into my classroom. I can’t wait to read your book!
Our school division has a big focus on empowering students through the use of innovation classes. I went the the PD on this and loved the idea! I am looking for more ways to empower the students especially the younger ones as innovation is good for grades 4 and up but I teach primary and it’s much harder to bring into my 1/2/3 split class. I hope your book brings more towards these ages.
As a technology integration coach, I’m in a unique position to help influence all 50 of the teachers in my school, and I’m always looking for great tools to share with them. One of our two major goals this year (for which we are being evaluated) is student engagement. I’m trying to help our teachers understand the difference between looking busy and being students truly connected to and owning their learning within our classrooms–this book looks like a perfect tool to extend those discussions. I want all our teachers in my school to have classrooms in which I would love to be a student! Thanks!
I’m curious, I’d like to understand your philosophy better, challenge my own thinking and add some more tools into my teaching armoury.
I would love to read more about engaging students – that’s always a struggle in middle school.
Hi Pernille! I am so excited to be part of the GRA 2015! We heard about this project on Twitter…my teammate and I started following you on Twitter after hearing you speak at Marian University in Fond du Lac last year. You have truly inspired us and have motivated us to incorporate more passion with our learners, give them time to explore their own passions, and develop growth mindsets as global learners.
I would love a copy of your book and would feel honored to share it with my teams here in Mayville!
Cheers to GRA2015, cheers to Passion, and cheers to Personalized Learning!
Pernille,
You inspire me to live in the moment, enjoy my students, and be the best I can possibly be! I’d love the opportunity to win a free copy of your book!
I would love a copy of your book! I have been following your book for the past few years and am thrilled to be starting GRA today with my readers. I love inspiring my students to becoming lifelong readers and learners while trying to keep a focus on making school a happy, productive, space we share. Your blog has been a great source of ideas and inspiration, I’m sure your book would be as well!
I am a huge fan of GRA and the excitement the students show when participating. We have been talking a lot in our class about having a growth mindset and developing passion projects during our genius hour. In general, finding ways to increase the passion and excitement in our classroom is a major focus. This book is the perfect companion for that!
Pernille, following you on Twitter and through the first stages of GRA have inspired me! Your book will assist me in empowering my grade 8 students. I am looking for unique ways to keep them engaged, and to diminish the apathy so often seen in tweens. I am sure that your words would be most helpful! Looking forward to sharing in the GRA. Thanks for everything!
Pernille, you are one of my literacy/teacher heroes! Following your work and hearing you speak has ignited more passion in my practice. I will be grabbing a copy of your book regardless, but a signed copy would be such a treat! I can’t wait to read it! You are truly a gift to students and teachers, thank you for all you do!
I would LOVE to read your book. I heard you speak at the nerdcamp this summer and I am taking part in the Global Read Aloud. I am passionate about learning new things! You are a model for teaching reading to all age groups. Can’t wait to hear your ideas!
Therese Sadlier
Every time I read a blog post from you, Pernille, I am inspired to be a better educator – to make my classroom a place where I would want to be. I welcome the chance to dive deeper into your thoughts by reading you book. Also, I am a Mom, and find the stress of testing and score requirements, homework that seems meaningless to my children, and the direction some of my children’s classroom going disheartening. I need to find the “passion” for them at home, and encourage all of us to bring it back to their school. Thank you!
I need something like this to get my mojo and my student’s mojo back!
I have been a keen follower of your blog for sometime now and would love to win a copy of your book so that I can learn more about how to support my children to be engaged, passionate, life-long learners 🙂
Pernille, you have been my “teacher crush” for a long time now, and I love everything that you do! I credit you with many of the innovative and new things that I do at my school, including Genius Hour/Innovation Day, Global Read Aloud, and others. I endeavor to help my students bring their passion for learning to school, and thank you for helping me to do that better!
I would love to win a copy of your book. It is currently sitting in my Amazon cart. I read your blog and am constantly pulling ideas to use in my classroom. I appreciate your honesty when things don’t go as planned. It shows us that we can always use these experiences as learning experiences.
I would love a copy of your book. This is my second year with GRA. I am bringing the love of reading to my students by showing them MY love for reading. I am still learning and love new and unique approaches to bring reading and books into the classroom!!
Hi! I saw you speak at WEMTA15 and left your session more energized about reading than I had been in a long time. I loved the practical ideas you gave and would love to read your book!
I am passionate about teaching and learning. It’s my 31st year and I’ve just started in a new school district. Your blog posts have been such an inspiration to me! I would love to have a copy of your book.
I’d love to read your book. I am passionate about learning to reach my students, as opposed to them conforming to my style. GRA has been an inspiration, as I have made so many connections with other phenomenal teachers. I’d love to know what strategies you incorporate to engage your class. I am a life-long learning! Thanks for sharing your expertise with all of us!
I was first introduced to you, your mission and about you and nErD Camp MI. Your introduction & talk on stage was AMAZING! Since, I have been following (creeping) your blog and on twitter. I took the plunge and am beginning my first year of GRA! Can’t wait to read your book and gain more insight.
I have recently discovered you, GRA & now your book!! I can honestly say that I am as excited about the GRA as I have been about anything in a long time. I have LOVED connecting with classrooms & am working in ways to do that more. I have been teaching 16 years and it’s lovely to be invigorated again! Would love a chance to win a signed copy of your book and read about tools to keep my enthusiasm (and consequently my students’ enthusiasm- or is it the other way?? Student enthusiasm will increase mine??!!) up and running. Thank you for the chance!!
I am really trying to grow this year as a teacher. I am using Fresh Grade for the first time which is a digital portfolio for students and I am stepping away from using letter grades even though most of my school still is. This is a scary thought but I am stepping out of my comfort zone to do what I feel is best for my student’s learning and growth. This book would help me make those changes and possibly help me to explain to the parents of my students why they are necessary. Thanks! From a hopeful teacher:)
Pernille, I had the pleasure of seeing you speak at USM’s Summer Spark in June and was so inspired by your presentation. A lot of what you had to share really resonated with me. I would love to learn more from your book. Thanks for the opportunity!
Pernille,
I was one of the inspired teachers at Mt. Lebanon School District today! I was so impressed by your message of helping students find their voice and also their passion. As a special education teacher this is so important because I am constantly trying to build my students up and teaching them they can do anything. They may not want to save the world today, but they need to have the tools to do whatever they want to later in life and be as successful as possible. Thanks for the inspiration!
Hello,
I would love to read your book. This is my 14 year teaching first grade and things constantly change year to year. I enjoy learning as many tips and inspiration that I can to keep teaching exciting. Students have changed slowly over the past decade, looking for me to tell them exactly what to do instead of being creative and trying what they would like to create. I’m always looking for a new book and information to enhance my life.
Thanks so much,
Christy
I want to read your book because I love your blog posts. You are so clear about what is best for kids, and your posts help me hold fast to the vision of the teacher I want to be. I know that, as full as your blog posts are of good advice, a whole book by you will be inspiring and challenge me to make changes that will help my students.
I would love a signed copy of your book. I believe I could learn a lot. I’m newer to teaching and I am always looking for new ways in reaching my students.
I have been teaching at the elementary level for 7 years. I am always looking for ways to help me reflect and grow in my teaching and assessment practices. Also, I have begun utilizing more blended learning opportunities within my classroom. It seems as though your book would really support my growth in being even more of a reflective teacher as well as including more blended learning opportunities within my classroom. Thank you!
Pernille,
Since the day I was matched up with you for an assignment in my final year of University 4 years ago, I have been following your blog, reading your twitter, and participating in the, amazing, GRA.
On nights when I have a few minutes to take a breath and catch up, I find myself always on your blog, scrolling through to the posts I haven’t read, and reflecting on my past few days or weeks in the classroom.Your posts are always exactly what I need to hear; they help me connect to, reflect on, and remember the teacher I’ve always wanted to become. I am positive your book will help me do this even more, and encourage me to continue to grow as a teacher, try new things, make mistakes, and try again.
Thank you for always being so honest and sharing your personal experiences and failures with the world. I know your words support many of us.
Pernille,
I had the pleasure of hearing you speak today at Mt. Lebanon school district. As a reading specialist, I was very inspired by your ideas of what I can do to help students find pleasure in reading. Also, your question of “Would I want to be a student in my own classroom” resonated with me & has changed me for the better! Thank you! I would love a copy of your book.
Hi Pernille. You’re an inspiration! I love what you’ve done with the Global Read Aloud project. I’m always looking for ways to break the mold of traditional teaching. There are a few tough students who need me to find a better, more engaging way, to reach them. I hope to get my hands on a copy of your book to find out what I can do better. #foreverlearning
I was just told about the Global Read Aloud project tonight while having dinner with a friend. While learning more about the project, I came across your new book and I am hooked!!! I so want to read this book and implement the strategies you summarized in the book description. Please please please, I hope for the sake of my students I win a copy of your book. I will even be sure to share with colleagures and encourage them to read the book as well. thank you.