Please post your thoughts about this course below. What did you like about it? What didn’t you like about it? Would you recommend this book study to a colleague?
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I loved reading how Brewer can from a broken family to be the leader he is today. While reading, all I could think about was how fun it would be to have him as a principal. All of his ideas he incorporates are such common sense that you really don’t think about it being an actual too for student engagement. There isn’t anything I disliked about the book. I think it would be valuable for an entire staff to read it and use it as a book study!
This was an interesting book. Probably if it wasn't for this class, I would not have read it. I am glad I did. The videos were very relevant to the book. I continue to like the ease of these courses and that you can do the quizzes and blog post at your pace and you can do them in an order that suits your time. I really didn't find anything that I didn't like with this book. I will continue to suggest this site to teachers do to the ease and the different book selections.
I really enjoyed this book study! I found the material interesting, and the assignments were easy to understand and complete. The book was extremely motivating for me with tasks I want to accomplish outside of school as well. I would definitely recommend this class to others. Thank you!
I really enjoyed this book study (and other book studies I've taken through Transform Your Classroom). I love that I can do the work at my own pace and it's fits into my schedule nicely. This one hit home for me as we just lost a teacher who was so full of energy and love for her students that she'll be impossible to replace. Our school came out as a family to support each other through our grief, and we were reminded just how much we really love and care for each other and our students. Mr. Brewer's love for his students shows in all he does, and this book inspired me to do better in letting my students know how much I love them and want them to succeed in this life.
I absolutely loved this book study and the ease of earning the credits. I have earned a master's degree, many licensures, and taken many courses to earn more credits. This course was so efficient, engaging, and worthwhile! I was only one day into reading and completing assignments and had already recommended the book study to my whole team. I have a waiting list of people wanting to borrow the book!
Please post your thoughts about this course below. What did you like about it? What didn’t you like about it? Would you recommend this book study to a colleague?
I really enjoyed this course. It was awesome to learn about Hamish Brewer and how he approached his career in education. I can't imagine seeing it first hand. I thought the content of this course was inspiring to self reflect and pursue our passions with everything we have. It really seemed like Hamish left everything on the table in his approach. The quiz and posts were fair and kept us accountable to the content. I will definitely recommend this book and course to anyone needing a book study.
I truly enjoyed this book study. I wish there were more people like Mr. Brewer in the world. He is so full of energy and passion, it's very hard not to feel it through this book as well as his videos. I would definitely recommend this to my colleagues. Very inspiring!! Thank You
This book was another winner. I haven't read one that I didn't love or learn from. Hamish Brewer is a phenomenal person. His ambition, drive and understanding of both teachers and students is off the charts. I so admired that he could have rested on his laurels with his success at Occoquan, but he challenged himself by taking on Fred Lynn. What an inspiration. I would recommend this book study and definitely will to my co-workers because I know a couple of them who need to renew their recertification. Thank you for making this course self paced and a great learning tool. Your quizzes picked out the highlights and the blog posts made us think how this could be applicable to our situation.
This book study was absolutely amazing! When I started this year, I was just coming back after taking the last three years off and living in a completely different state. I am in the middle of recertification and the beginning of the year was HARD. I took "Teach Like a Pirate" through my district and started to find my ground again but still felt like I was missing my light or passion for teaching. I've spent most of the year trying to find that after missing it so much over the last few years. I found this book to help me begin finding that light and passion, assuring myself that I am doing some things right. Mr. Brewer is an inspiration through his writing, and I can't imagine what it would be like to be a student, teacher or community member in his school. I loved that the course was self-paced and I could work through it as I had time. The quizzes were mostly on point, though at times I felt like the questions were some random details that didn't apply to the entirety of the book. I loved that the blog posts were applicable to our own teaching and life. They forced me to think and apply to myself and not just in general. I would 10/10 recommend this book study to a colleague. I have shared bits of the book with the paraprofessionals in my room as I've been reading it. In particular, the "telling them you love them" bit that he does at the beginning of the day.
I thought that the book was wonderful. I have heard about this book and him for a while now, so I decided to take this books study. I thought the book was easy reading what I liked with a lot of great information and inspiration. Hamish is truly a great admin and person, and we definitely need more people like him in this industry. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking at getting there spark back into teaching and who want to learn to make a difference while doing it.
Please post your thoughts about this course below. What did you like about it? What didn’t you like about it? Would you recommend this book study to a colleague?
I enjoy the layout of these courses. Thank you for offering them! Brewer has a great story to tell, and seeing the "turnaround" in the schools he's been part of is encouraging. I would like to learn more about how he handles behavior with students on a one-on-one setting, especially at the middle school level. I would recommend this course to a colleague. He has great energy and it would be helpful for a teacher needing a boost to start the year or in the middle of the year when we all need to go "one more round"!
What an amazing book! I loved Hamish's success story. He is an inspiration to us all. As always, I enjoy the pace of these book studies. I would definitely recommend this book study to others.
Please post your thoughts about this course below. What did you like about it? What didn’t you like about it? Would you recommend this book study to a colleague? I really enjoyed this book. It is my favorite of the 6 that I have done. I loved all his energy that he exudes and how he just loves to do things differently. So often we get bogged down in teaching the same old way. I enjoyed seeing that the school that I sub at incorporates many of these concepts and practices. There really wasn't anything that I didn't like. Yes, I will definitely recommend to others.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I was inspired by his story of rising from humble beginnings. His determination, especially when he was told he couldn’t pursue an education, to where he stands today, is truly motivating. I also appreciated the excitement he brought to the school. His clear expectations encouraged everyone to be all in. I would definitely recommend this book study to a colleague and believe it would be beneficial for our entire staff to read it!
I did enjoy this book study. Reading about Hamish Brewer and his way of thinking was a breath of fresh air from the stereotypical way administration typically is. The story from his colleagues backing up what he did was also something I liked hearing about and just provided evidence to what he said he was doing. My favorite blog post was #9 I love the idea about having to post your bucket list ideas and sharing them it was fun to share and read what others have already shared. I would recommend this book study to a colleague.
I really enjoyed this book. I like how visible the principal is - unlike the one I have. I love how supportive the principal is. Encouraging teachers to teach the way they need to - not all the same. I would recommend this book to anyone!
I really enjoyed reading this book even though there are only 6 weeks of school remaining. It’s giving me some food for thought for the upcoming school year. It is an uplifting book & motivating! We have a new CEO for next year so I hope he has read this book. I feel his ideas are very doable but will take some hard work. I liked how the book was organized. What a privilege it is when administration is so hyped about education. There isn’t anything that I didn’t like. I felt it was a quick read. I felt the TED talks were very informative and interesting. I already recommended this book to my son who is just graduating with his administration degree. I enjoyed the testimonies too. Great book!
I did enjoy this book study. My favorite was chapter 8, as I liked reading the actual strategies the schools were using to turn them around. One thing I didn't like was how often I felt like I was reading from Hamish how he was an "education disruptor" or was "changing the game", etc. and would've liked to have more focus on the actual strategies earlier in the book, even though there were some specific events and opportunities brought up earlier. I would recommend this to a colleague, it was a very easy read. I also liked in the class that the videos were very relevant to what we were reading and discussing in the blogs. My favorite blog was reading through everyone's bucket list!
I've been putting off this book study, and is it turns out, I got to it at the best time possible! My school district is currently going through a big consolidation process. Obviously there have been huge changes for many people. My colleagues and I have had a really rough last couple of years, but thankfully we have a great team who works together. We have been surrounded by a lot of negativity in the community, there are positives as well, but that is harder to see sometimes. This book brought out a lot of ideas that could easily be implemented in my district. I would definitely recommend this book study! I would even love to read it again with team now!
I started this book, and then put it aside, thinking it was just another stereotypical story of an amazing principal/teacher who was super extroverted and accomplished things I felt were out of my range. I'm so glad I actually took the time to read the whole thing. This has been my favorite and most inspiring book study so far!
This was my first book study so I wasn't sure what to think of it at first, but ended up enjoying the book a learning what this man has done with his life and how he has helped others and his schools that he is involved with. I liked some of the real experiences that he shared. Also that he was involved with in the community being a firefighter. I would recommend this book to others because I was very engaged with what he had to say.
I enjoyed working at my own pace through this book study. I loved the book and I thought the blog questions were low pressure but thought provoking. I did not like the quizzes (mainly because I didn't get a perfect score on a question that I had to 'check all the boxes). I would recommend this to a colleague especially one that is transitioning from a teacher to administrator roll next year.
I was excited to read this book knowing the background of Brewer. I was not sure what to expect working with a group outside of USF. My experiences with USF are great so I trusted that the process would go smoothly and it did.
I really enjoyed this book study. I love the idea of doing it at my own pace (although I anticipated finishing it right away, it got put off but eventually completed!) I enjoyed the thought provoking questions in the blog posts that help me really apply the materials to my work and my school. It was inspirational to read about how he has built such a positive school environment for staff and students. I look forward to utilizing his 'all in' attitude in my own teaching.
I enjoyed that this course is self-paced and easy to follow. It is very structured, which I appreciated. I found the videos that were assigned to be quite inspirational. The only thing I didn’t like about the course was parts of the book itself. There were quite a few times where I felt the author was putting himself on a pedestal and wanting others to bow down to him. I wasn’t a fan of those parts. Other than that, I would recommend the course to colleagues. I’ll definitely be looking at this program again when I need a credit or two. 🙂
I really enjoyed this book study. It is not a book I would have found or picked up on my own, but I'm so glad I had the chance to read it.The book itself is inspiring. I enjoyed how Hamish shared his bold and passionate approach to transforming schools and changing lives. His relentless belief in the potential of every student made this a powerful read. I’ll definitely be recommending it to my coworkers! I also really liked how the course was set up, it was flexible and easy to work through at my own pace. I liked being able to jump in when I had free time, without the pressure of deadlines!
I really liked this book. I loved reading about how Brewer was able to overcome challenges and learn from his upbringing. I wish I was still teaching at the ALC because I would absolutely share this story with my students who have similar backgrounds. I think it would be really cool to work in a school with someone like him as the principal, his leadership style and approach to education seem like they’d create a great environment.
This book shows that sometimes the most effective strategies are just common sense. The only part I didn’t fully connect with was when he told his students that he loved them. I get where he’s coming from, and I understand the impact it can have,I just have a hard time seeing myself saying that to a student. That being said, I’d 100% recommend this book to a coworker.
I really enjoyed this course and would definitely recommend it to a colleague. I like that it is self paced and could take a day or two or a week or two. I like the book choice and the questions that went along with it. The whole course made me reflect on my own teaching and how to do better while also inspiring the "why" and trusting my gut on things that may not be the educational norm. I like that it doesn't mean you have to wait to have an administrator that brings all these approaches but instead it is things that anybody involved in the school can help guide.
I really enjoyed this course and this book. The book was an easy read and was inspiring. I found myself implementing some of Hamish Brewer's teaching styles/principles after reading the different chapters. It made me step back and look at how I am teaching, and what I can do differently to continue to make a positive impact on the lives of my students. The course was easy to follow and I enjoyed watching the video's as well as reading other posts.
I enjoyed this book a lot! I love the passion and fire that Hamish Brewer brings to his schools and students every day. The mindset portrayed in this book encourages people to try new things and see education in a different light than what many may view it....one for the better! It encourages to try new things and gives the attitude of "why not?" There isn't anything about the book that I disliked, the course was set up great, and I would absolutely recommend it to colleagues!
I really enjoyed this book and the videos! This class was applicable to me for teaching, but also in life in general. I appreciate the user friendly format of the class and the subject matter is both helpful and inspiring. This class motivated me to become an even better person and teacher! Thank you! The only thing I would say I didn't like, was in Hamish's book he did not ever address the issue of funding for all the cool things he implemented in his schools. Yes I would definitely recommend to a colleague!
Yes, I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I listened to this book which was read by Hamish himself. His passion is VERY evident and contagious. I am adding this to the list of books I am recommending to colleagues who want to become administrators. Thank you for this book study!
I LOVED this book. I’ve read 3 books for these courses in the last couple of months and this is by far my favorite. The book got a bit repetitive with chapters 8-10 but overall the chapters were great. I wish I would have read this when I was in the trenches at a tough title school. I may have stuck it out as I loved the kids but the behaviors were too much to deal with on an hourly basis. This was a great book and trickier quiz questions which was engaging!
I really loved this book study I think it sparked a creative spot in my soul! Gives me the feeling of getting out there and reimagining what my class can look like! Yes I would encourage my school family to read this book!
I loved this book! It was a great way to get energized for another year of teaching next Fall! I really really liked how this book study was done. I liked how it was split up with a small quiz and video. I liked the blog post questions in that they were meaningful and it didn't just seem like busy work. I would absolutely recommend this book and class to other teachers. In fact - I just asked a coworker today if they have read this book! Thanks for offering this book study - it was set up really great in my opinion!
I really enjoyed this book. I think it was a great read and gave a lot of really good information. I will definitely recommend this book to others to read.
This book study was exceptional. Brewer’s book is filled with amazing opportunities to create authentic relationships with y. These relationships changed the entire school’s thinking and engagement. People were a team with one mission success for ALL students. That is what education should be fun, engaging, and authentic learning! I will incorporate these ideas into my classroom next year. I am grateful for the wonderful skills that I was introduced to!
The book study was exceptional. Brewer's book is filled with amazing opportunities to create authentic relationships with students. These relationships changed the entire school's thinking and engagement. People were a team with one mission creating a successful learning environment for all students. That is what education should be fun, engaging, and authentic learning! I will incorporate these ideas into my classroom next year. I loved every idea in the book and would definitely encouraged others to read the book. I am grateful for the wonderful learning opportunity.
I enjoyed this book study, it meshed well with the last book study I completed which was “Teach Like a Pirate”. Both books talked about improving student engagement. I also selected Mr Brewer’s book because I also work with students who live in poverty and most are minorities. We are making progress at our school, but we still have a few things that we need to improve on.
I really enjoyed this book. I like that it was easy to follow and I thought it was an easy credit because I enjoyed reading the book so much. I would definitely recommend this book study to all of my colleagues and will be sharing this book with them. Relentless does a good job of getting teachers excited about teaching and reminding them our "why".
I enjoyed the book, but I really like the video about him! This is a must-do book study for my colleagues. Relentless may be my new word for the next school year.
I absolutely loved Brewer's voice and conviction throughout the book. I also love that his focus in on his students and staff, bringing fun back into the school. I will take his seven common traits of effective schools as well as Fish! formula (Play, make someone's day, choose your attitude, and be there) with me to school. I think these could be game changers for our school, and would love to share this book with our school so we could discuss it and put it into practice!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Mr. Brewer's passion for students and change is infectious and it gets me fired up and feeling like I too can take on the world. Something I would like to know is how both the Elementary and Middle Schools are doing today (in 2025). I would absolutely share this book with colleagues.
I really enjoyed Relentless because Hamish Brewer is a real, genuine loving and down to earth person. I feel inspired after reading what he has done and accomplished. I will incorporate the idea of being relentless and "one more round" into my own work with children and school and my children at home. I would recommend this book to colleagues.
I loved the energy of the book and it also felt real. We all go through different experiences in our life and Hamish followed his heart and his passion to create a positive following for himself, but also got see success while doing what he did. The Fish! formula is something that could easily be implemented in our school and I am going to try to do that with the students that I do work with. I will for sure recommend this book for other colleagues. It was wonderful!
I loved this book. I want a principal like him. He was very open about his life and really had an impact. I love how the course is self paced and the TEDtalks that go along with the book. I would definitely recommend this book and course to others.
He is a great author and this is a great book. I listened an audible which isn't my favorite and I think I would have enjoyed it much more if I had actually read it as then it would have been easier to go back and self reflect.
It was a good inspirational story. It helps put the most important elements into focus. The kids and relationships are very important to having a good school.
This book and study were phenomenal. Those who can truly empathize because they have experienced similar situations can be a veritable blessing to others when they step up because they want no one else to have to endure what they themselves did. He is an authentic class act. Thank you!
This is my third book study and I think this was my favorite book so far. It wasn't so heavy on this is what you need to do to engage your students. It was more light hearted and more about bringing the energy to the students. I thought that Hamish's story was inspiring and that he could relate to many students who struggle with school and home life.
This book was a great read and watching the videos of Hamish Brewer and his positive attitude were refreshing. This is my third book study and I will be signing up for more in the future. The self-paced aspect is great and I have already recommended these book studies to a couple of my team members. I have not found anything wrong with the course step-up. Thank you for having this option available!
I enjoyed this book study. It shows the reader concrete ideas from an active principal. His ideas are authentic and vetted. It emphasizes the importance of relationships. He makes me think of what I can do differently in my classroom and with my team. Hamish Brewer’s story is authentic. I had the opportunity to meet Hamish Brewer when he spoke at the South Dakota Teacher Mentor Summer Academy.He took time to ask questions and get to know me by name. After my conversation with him I ran into him in the hallway and said Hi Chris. He remembered my name. I was always going to get around to read his book, but time always got away from me. Finally, I have no constructive criticism at this time.
I really enjoyed reading this book. I enjoyed the reminder about the importance of building relationships. It has inspired me to go into this next school year focused on building relationships with my students. remembering my “why,” and thinking about how I can serve others. I liked the amount of reading and tasks that were required for each section. It felt very manageable. There wasn’t anything I didn’t like about this book study. I would definitely recommend this book study to a colleague.
My favorite thing about this class and all classes through Transform your Classroom is the layout of the materials. It is straightforward and very clear what the expectations are. This was not my favorite book but I did like the concept. I like the idea of change and passion but it was hard for me to get a handle on the how. The book felt more like a story about Hamish Brewer (which is a great story) and not exactly something I feel can be easily put into practice. If a colleague was looking for inspiration I would recommend this book, if they were looking for a plan that they could replicate I would have to suggest something else.
This book was inspiring for anyone to read. While it presents from an administrator's point of view, this book is accessible to teachers, business owners, or people who want to live a better life. I found myself making several personal connections to my classroom and to my life in general. I enjoyed the writing, but I also appreciate the course layout in respect to balancing with supplementary videos and blog posts. I use these to make personal connections with the material, and it makes me think about how I can improve my classroom environment. It also made me appreciate how far teacher efficacy can affect a school culture. You really have to buy in to new ideas and embrace change, something that isn't easy for many people. I don't have suggestions for changing the course layout as it is very straightforward, fair, and easy to navigate (love the checklists). Keep supplementing the book material with relatable videos and blog posts, and you'll keep lifelong learners engaged.
My favorite thing about this class was how it was all self-paced. I felt like I could still enjoy my summer and not have to worry about due dates! I would say the book was not my favorite, but it wasn't bad! He had some very neat ideas! I would recommend this to anyone! It was a simple read with creative ideas!
This was a good book study. I like the self-pace and Ted Talks. I enjoy the Ted Talks the most. I have passed on this class information to all the staff at my school. Three are working on credits this summer too.
I loved this book study. I wish my school would do this book study as a whole. Hamish was very inspiring and it would be incredible to meet him some day. The Ted talks were great. I really enjoy the book study's. They are always very educational and I learn alot.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I loved reading how Brewer can from a broken family to be the leader he is today. While reading, all I could think about was how fun it would be to have him as a principal. All of his ideas he incorporates are such common sense that you really don’t think about it being an actual too for student engagement. There isn’t anything I disliked about the book. I think it would be valuable for an entire staff to read it and use it as a book study!
ReplyDeleteThis was an interesting book. Probably if it wasn't for this class, I would not have read it. I am glad I did. The videos were very relevant to the book. I continue to like the ease of these courses and that you can do the quizzes and blog post at your pace and you can do them in an order that suits your time. I really didn't find anything that I didn't like with this book. I will continue to suggest this site to teachers do to the ease and the different book selections.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this book study! I found the material interesting, and the assignments were easy to understand and complete. The book was extremely motivating for me with tasks I want to accomplish outside of school as well. I would definitely recommend this class to others. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this book study (and other book studies I've taken through Transform Your Classroom). I love that I can do the work at my own pace and it's fits into my schedule nicely.
ReplyDeleteThis one hit home for me as we just lost a teacher who was so full of energy and love for her students that she'll be impossible to replace. Our school came out as a family to support each other through our grief, and we were reminded just how much we really love and care for each other and our students. Mr. Brewer's love for his students shows in all he does, and this book inspired me to do better in letting my students know how much I love them and want them to succeed in this life.
I 've already given this book to my co-teacher, so yes, I'll be sharing it with others.
DeleteI absolutely loved this book study and the ease of earning the credits. I have earned a master's degree, many licensures, and taken many courses to earn more credits. This course was so efficient, engaging, and worthwhile! I was only one day into reading and completing assignments and had already recommended the book study to my whole team. I have a waiting list of people wanting to borrow the book!
ReplyDeletePlease post your thoughts about this course below. What did you like about it? What didn’t you like about it? Would you recommend this book study to a colleague?
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this course. It was awesome to learn about Hamish Brewer and how he approached his career in education. I can't imagine seeing it first hand. I thought the content of this course was inspiring to self reflect and pursue our passions with everything we have. It really seemed like Hamish left everything on the table in his approach. The quiz and posts were fair and kept us accountable to the content. I will definitely recommend this book and course to anyone needing a book study.
I truly enjoyed this book study. I wish there were more people like Mr. Brewer in the world. He is so full of energy and passion, it's very hard not to feel it through this book as well as his videos. I would definitely recommend this to my colleagues. Very inspiring!! Thank You
ReplyDeleteThis book was another winner. I haven't read one that I didn't love or learn from. Hamish Brewer is a phenomenal person. His ambition, drive and understanding of both teachers and students is off the charts. I so admired that he could have rested on his laurels with his success at Occoquan, but he challenged himself by taking on Fred Lynn. What an inspiration. I would recommend this book study and definitely will to my co-workers because I know a couple of them who need to renew their recertification. Thank you for making this course self paced and a great learning tool. Your quizzes picked out the highlights and the blog posts made us think how this could be applicable to our situation.
ReplyDeleteThis book study was absolutely amazing! When I started this year, I was just coming back after taking the last three years off and living in a completely different state. I am in the middle of recertification and the beginning of the year was HARD. I took "Teach Like a Pirate" through my district and started to find my ground again but still felt like I was missing my light or passion for teaching. I've spent most of the year trying to find that after missing it so much over the last few years. I found this book to help me begin finding that light and passion, assuring myself that I am doing some things right. Mr. Brewer is an inspiration through his writing, and I can't imagine what it would be like to be a student, teacher or community member in his school.
ReplyDeleteI loved that the course was self-paced and I could work through it as I had time. The quizzes were mostly on point, though at times I felt like the questions were some random details that didn't apply to the entirety of the book. I loved that the blog posts were applicable to our own teaching and life. They forced me to think and apply to myself and not just in general.
I would 10/10 recommend this book study to a colleague. I have shared bits of the book with the paraprofessionals in my room as I've been reading it. In particular, the "telling them you love them" bit that he does at the beginning of the day.
This book study was one of my favorites. I truly respect and appreciate Hamish Brewers approach to education. Yes, I would recommend this book study.
ReplyDeleteI thought that the book was wonderful. I have heard about this book and him for a while now, so I decided to take this books study. I thought the book was easy reading what I liked with a lot of great information and inspiration. Hamish is truly a great admin and person, and we definitely need more people like him in this industry. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking at getting there spark back into teaching and who want to learn to make a difference while doing it.
ReplyDeletePlease post your thoughts about this course below. What did you like about it? What didn’t you like about it? Would you recommend this book study to a colleague?
ReplyDeleteI enjoy the layout of these courses. Thank you for offering them! Brewer has a great story to tell, and seeing the "turnaround" in the schools he's been part of is encouraging. I would like to learn more about how he handles behavior with students on a one-on-one setting, especially at the middle school level. I would recommend this course to a colleague. He has great energy and it would be helpful for a teacher needing a boost to start the year or in the middle of the year when we all need to go "one more round"!
What an amazing book! I loved Hamish's success story. He is an inspiration to us all. As always, I enjoy the pace of these book studies. I would definitely recommend this book study to others.
ReplyDeletePlease post your thoughts about this course below. What did you like about it? What didn’t you like about it? Would you recommend this book study to a colleague?
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this book. It is my favorite of the 6 that I have done. I loved all his energy that he exudes and how he just loves to do things differently. So often we get bogged down in teaching the same old way. I enjoyed seeing that the school that I sub at incorporates many of these concepts and practices. There really wasn't anything that I didn't like. Yes, I will definitely recommend to others.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I was inspired by his story of rising from humble beginnings. His determination, especially when he was told he couldn’t pursue an education, to where he stands today, is truly motivating. I also appreciated the excitement he brought to the school. His clear expectations encouraged everyone to be all in. I would definitely recommend this book study to a colleague and believe it would be beneficial for our entire staff to read it!
ReplyDeleteI did enjoy this book study. Reading about Hamish Brewer and his way of thinking was a breath of fresh air from the stereotypical way administration typically is. The story from his colleagues backing up what he did was also something I liked hearing about and just provided evidence to what he said he was doing. My favorite blog post was #9 I love the idea about having to post your bucket list ideas and sharing them it was fun to share and read what others have already shared. I would recommend this book study to a colleague.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this book. I like how visible the principal is - unlike the one I have. I love how supportive the principal is. Encouraging teachers to teach the way they need to - not all the same.
ReplyDeleteI would recommend this book to anyone!
I really enjoyed reading this book even though there are only 6 weeks of school remaining. It’s giving me some food for thought for the upcoming school year. It is an uplifting book & motivating! We have a new CEO for next year so I hope he has read this book. I feel his ideas are very doable but will take some hard work. I liked how the book was organized. What a privilege it is when administration is so hyped about education. There isn’t anything that I didn’t like. I felt it was a quick read. I felt the TED talks were very informative and interesting. I already recommended this book to my son who is just graduating with his administration degree. I enjoyed the testimonies too. Great book!
ReplyDeleteI did enjoy this book study. My favorite was chapter 8, as I liked reading the actual strategies the schools were using to turn them around. One thing I didn't like was how often I felt like I was reading from Hamish how he was an "education disruptor" or was "changing the game", etc. and would've liked to have more focus on the actual strategies earlier in the book, even though there were some specific events and opportunities brought up earlier. I would recommend this to a colleague, it was a very easy read. I also liked in the class that the videos were very relevant to what we were reading and discussing in the blogs. My favorite blog was reading through everyone's bucket list!
ReplyDeleteI've been putting off this book study, and is it turns out, I got to it at the best time possible! My school district is currently going through a big consolidation process. Obviously there have been huge changes for many people. My colleagues and I have had a really rough last couple of years, but thankfully we have a great team who works together. We have been surrounded by a lot of negativity in the community, there are positives as well, but that is harder to see sometimes. This book brought out a lot of ideas that could easily be implemented in my district. I would definitely recommend this book study! I would even love to read it again with team now!
ReplyDeleteI started this book, and then put it aside, thinking it was just another stereotypical story of an amazing principal/teacher who was super extroverted and accomplished things I felt were out of my range. I'm so glad I actually took the time to read the whole thing. This has been my favorite and most inspiring book study so far!
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ReplyDeleteThis was my first book study so I wasn't sure what to think of it at first, but ended up enjoying the book a learning what this man has done with his life and how he has helped others and his schools that he is involved with. I liked some of the real experiences that he shared. Also that he was involved with in the community being a firefighter. I would recommend this book to others because I was very engaged with what he had to say.
I enjoyed working at my own pace through this book study. I loved the book and I thought the blog questions were low pressure but thought provoking. I did not like the quizzes (mainly because I didn't get a perfect score on a question that I had to 'check all the boxes). I would recommend this to a colleague especially one that is transitioning from a teacher to administrator roll next year.
ReplyDeleteI was excited to read this book knowing the background of Brewer. I was not sure what to expect working with a group outside of USF. My experiences with USF are great so I trusted that the process would go smoothly and it did.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this book study. I love the idea of doing it at my own pace (although I anticipated finishing it right away, it got put off but eventually completed!) I enjoyed the thought provoking questions in the blog posts that help me really apply the materials to my work and my school. It was inspirational to read about how he has built such a positive school environment for staff and students. I look forward to utilizing his 'all in' attitude in my own teaching.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed that this course is self-paced and easy to follow. It is very structured, which I appreciated. I found the videos that were assigned to be quite inspirational. The only thing I didn’t like about the course was parts of the book itself. There were quite a few times where I felt the author was putting himself on a pedestal and wanting others to bow down to him. I wasn’t a fan of those parts. Other than that, I would recommend the course to colleagues. I’ll definitely be looking at this program again when I need a credit or two. 🙂
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ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this book study. It is not a book I would have found or picked up on my own, but I'm so glad I had the chance to read it.The book itself is inspiring. I enjoyed how Hamish shared his bold and passionate approach to transforming schools and changing lives. His relentless belief in the potential of every student made this a powerful read. I’ll definitely be recommending it to my coworkers! I also really liked how the course was set up, it was flexible and easy to work through at my own pace. I liked being able to jump in when I had free time, without the pressure of deadlines!
I really liked this book. I loved reading about how Brewer was able to overcome challenges and learn from his upbringing. I wish I was still teaching at the ALC because I would absolutely share this story with my students who have similar backgrounds. I think it would be really cool to work in a school with someone like him as the principal, his leadership style and approach to education seem like they’d create a great environment.
ReplyDeleteThis book shows that sometimes the most effective strategies are just common sense. The only part I didn’t fully connect with was when he told his students that he loved them. I get where he’s coming from, and I understand the impact it can have,I just have a hard time seeing myself saying that to a student. That being said, I’d 100% recommend this book to a coworker.
I really enjoyed this course and would definitely recommend it to a colleague. I like that it is self paced and could take a day or two or a week or two. I like the book choice and the questions that went along with it. The whole course made me reflect on my own teaching and how to do better while also inspiring the "why" and trusting my gut on things that may not be the educational norm. I like that it doesn't mean you have to wait to have an administrator that brings all these approaches but instead it is things that anybody involved in the school can help guide.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this course and this book. The book was an easy read and was inspiring. I found myself implementing some of Hamish Brewer's teaching styles/principles after reading the different chapters. It made me step back and look at how I am teaching, and what I can do differently to continue to make a positive impact on the lives of my students.
ReplyDeleteThe course was easy to follow and I enjoyed watching the video's as well as reading other posts.
I enjoyed this book a lot! I love the passion and fire that Hamish Brewer brings to his schools and students every day. The mindset portrayed in this book encourages people to try new things and see education in a different light than what many may view it....one for the better! It encourages to try new things and gives the attitude of "why not?" There isn't anything about the book that I disliked, the course was set up great, and I would absolutely recommend it to colleagues!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this book and the videos! This class was applicable to me for teaching, but also in life in general. I appreciate the user friendly format of the class and the subject matter is both helpful and inspiring. This class motivated me to become an even better person and teacher!
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The only thing I would say I didn't like, was in Hamish's book he did not ever address the issue of funding for all the cool things he implemented in his schools.
Yes I would definitely recommend to a colleague!
Yes, I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I listened to this book which was read by Hamish himself. His passion is VERY evident and contagious. I am adding this to the list of books I am recommending to colleagues who want to become administrators. Thank you for this book study!
ReplyDeleteI LOVED this book. I’ve read 3 books for these courses in the last couple of months and this is by far my favorite. The book got a bit repetitive with chapters 8-10 but overall the chapters were great. I wish I would have read this when I was in the trenches at a tough title school. I may have stuck it out as I loved the kids but the behaviors were too much to deal with on an hourly basis. This was a great book and trickier quiz questions which was engaging!
ReplyDeleteI really loved this book study I think it sparked a creative spot in my soul! Gives me the feeling of getting out there and reimagining what my class can look like! Yes I would encourage my school family to read this book!
ReplyDeleteI loved this book! It was a great way to get energized for another year of teaching next Fall! I really really liked how this book study was done. I liked how it was split up with a small quiz and video. I liked the blog post questions in that they were meaningful and it didn't just seem like busy work. I would absolutely recommend this book and class to other teachers. In fact - I just asked a coworker today if they have read this book! Thanks for offering this book study - it was set up really great in my opinion!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this book. I think it was a great read and gave a lot of really good information. I will definitely recommend this book to others to read.
ReplyDeleteThis book study was exceptional. Brewer’s book is filled with amazing opportunities to create authentic relationships with y. These relationships changed the entire school’s thinking and engagement. People were a team with one mission success for ALL students. That is what education should be fun, engaging, and authentic learning! I will incorporate these ideas into my classroom next year. I am grateful for the wonderful skills that I was introduced to!
ReplyDeleteThe book study was exceptional. Brewer's book is filled with amazing opportunities to create authentic relationships with students. These relationships changed the entire school's thinking and engagement. People were a team with one mission creating a successful learning environment for all students. That is what education should be fun, engaging, and authentic learning! I will incorporate these ideas into my classroom next year. I loved every idea in the book and would definitely encouraged others to read the book. I am grateful for the wonderful learning opportunity.
DeleteI enjoyed this book study, it meshed well with the last book study I completed which was “Teach Like a Pirate”. Both books talked about improving student engagement.
ReplyDeleteI also selected Mr Brewer’s book because I also work with students who live in poverty and most are minorities. We are making progress at our school, but we still have a few things that we need to improve on.
I really enjoyed this book. I like that it was easy to follow and I thought it was an easy credit because I enjoyed reading the book so much. I would definitely recommend this book study to all of my colleagues and will be sharing this book with them. Relentless does a good job of getting teachers excited about teaching and reminding them our "why".
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the book, but I really like the video about him! This is a must-do book study for my colleagues. Relentless may be my new word for the next school year.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely loved Brewer's voice and conviction throughout the book. I also love that his focus in on his students and staff, bringing fun back into the school. I will take his seven common traits of effective schools as well as Fish! formula (Play, make someone's day, choose your attitude, and be there) with me to school. I think these could be game changers for our school, and would love to share this book with our school so we could discuss it and put it into practice!
ReplyDeleteI thoroughly enjoyed this book. Mr. Brewer's passion for students and change is infectious and it gets me fired up and feeling like I too can take on the world. Something I would like to know is how both the Elementary and Middle Schools are doing today (in 2025). I would absolutely share this book with colleagues.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed Relentless because Hamish Brewer is a real, genuine loving and down to earth person. I feel inspired after reading what he has done and accomplished. I will incorporate the idea of being relentless and "one more round" into my own work with children and school and my children at home. I would recommend this book to colleagues.
ReplyDeleteI loved the energy of the book and it also felt real. We all go through different experiences in our life and Hamish followed his heart and his passion to create a positive following for himself, but also got see success while doing what he did. The Fish! formula is something that could easily be implemented in our school and I am going to try to do that with the students that I do work with. I will for sure recommend this book for other colleagues. It was wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI loved this book. I want a principal like him. He was very open about his life and really had an impact. I love how the course is self paced and the TEDtalks that go along with the book. I would definitely recommend this book and course to others.
ReplyDeleteHe is a great author and this is a great book. I listened an audible which isn't my favorite and I think I would have enjoyed it much more if I had actually read it as then it would have been easier to go back and self reflect.
ReplyDeleteIt was a good inspirational story. It helps put the most important elements into focus. The kids and relationships are very important to having a good school.
ReplyDeleteThis book and study were phenomenal. Those who can truly empathize because they have experienced similar situations can be a veritable blessing to others when they step up because they want no one else to have to endure what they themselves did. He is an authentic class act. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThis is my third book study and I think this was my favorite book so far. It wasn't so heavy on this is what you need to do to engage your students. It was more light hearted and more about bringing the energy to the students. I thought that Hamish's story was inspiring and that he could relate to many students who struggle with school and home life.
ReplyDeleteThis book was a great read and watching the videos of Hamish Brewer and his positive attitude were refreshing. This is my third book study and I will be signing up for more in the future. The self-paced aspect is great and I have already recommended these book studies to a couple of my team members. I have not found anything wrong with the course step-up. Thank you for having this option available!
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ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this book study. It shows the reader concrete ideas from an active principal. His ideas are authentic and vetted. It emphasizes the importance of relationships. He makes me think of what I can do differently in my classroom and with my team. Hamish Brewer’s story is authentic. I had the opportunity to meet Hamish Brewer when he spoke at the South Dakota Teacher Mentor Summer Academy.He took time to ask questions and get to know me by name. After my conversation with him I ran into him in the hallway and said Hi Chris. He remembered my name. I was always going to get around to read his book, but time always got away from me. Finally, I have no constructive criticism at this time.
I really enjoyed reading this book. I enjoyed the reminder about the importance of building relationships. It has inspired me to go into this next school year focused on building relationships with my students. remembering my “why,” and thinking about how I can serve others. I liked the amount of reading and tasks that were required for each section. It felt very manageable. There wasn’t anything I didn’t like about this book study. I would definitely recommend this book study to a colleague.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite thing about this class and all classes through Transform your Classroom is the layout of the materials. It is straightforward and very clear what the expectations are. This was not my favorite book but I did like the concept. I like the idea of change and passion but it was hard for me to get a handle on the how. The book felt more like a story about Hamish Brewer (which is a great story) and not exactly something I feel can be easily put into practice. If a colleague was looking for inspiration I would recommend this book, if they were looking for a plan that they could replicate I would have to suggest something else.
ReplyDeleteThis book was inspiring for anyone to read. While it presents from an administrator's point of view, this book is accessible to teachers, business owners, or people who want to live a better life. I found myself making several personal connections to my classroom and to my life in general. I enjoyed the writing, but I also appreciate the course layout in respect to balancing with supplementary videos and blog posts. I use these to make personal connections with the material, and it makes me think about how I can improve my classroom environment. It also made me appreciate how far teacher efficacy can affect a school culture. You really have to buy in to new ideas and embrace change, something that isn't easy for many people. I don't have suggestions for changing the course layout as it is very straightforward, fair, and easy to navigate (love the checklists). Keep supplementing the book material with relatable videos and blog posts, and you'll keep lifelong learners engaged.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite thing about this class was how it was all self-paced. I felt like I could still enjoy my summer and not have to worry about due dates! I would say the book was not my favorite, but it wasn't bad! He had some very neat ideas! I would recommend this to anyone! It was a simple read with creative ideas!
ReplyDeleteThis was a good book study. I like the self-pace and Ted Talks. I enjoy the Ted Talks the most. I have passed on this class information to all the staff at my school. Three are working on credits this summer too.
ReplyDeleteI loved this book study. I wish my school would do this book study as a whole. Hamish was very inspiring and it would be incredible to meet him some day. The Ted talks were great. I really enjoy the book study's. They are always very educational and I learn alot.
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