Transforming Teaching Through the Cycle of Care: A Comprehensive Guide to Empowering Education Through Relationships, Listening, Thinking, and Responding by Mona Beth Zignego PhD
In this book, author Mona Beth Zignego introduces a groundbreaking model that reshapes the way educators approach their profession. Drawing from decades of experience as a teacher, mentor, and researcher, Zignego offers a unique perspective on the vital role of care in the classroom. Through her “Cycle of Care” model, she breaks down the process of care into four critical elements: relationships, listening, thinking, and responding. This powerful framework is designed to help teachers not only support their students academically but also foster environments of trust, empathy, and social justice.
Transforming Teaching Through the Cycle of Care: A Comprehensive Guide to Empowering Education Through Relationships, Listening, Thinking, and Responding
This book is an invaluable resource for teachers, administrators, and anyone involved in education who wants to cultivate a nurturing and inclusive learning environment.
Reviews
Melissa Nilsen PhD
Dr. Zignego’s discourse on care towards students, self, and colleagues, constitutes a substantial contribution to educational reform. She asks teachers to transform their assumptions into wonder and curiosity—exactly the antidote to dry and lifeless teaching. With her clear and accessible narrative, and honest, and humble personal stories, she meets educators right where they are with the same warmth she invites teachers to enter into. *These chapters will bring the field of education miles ahead in the educational revolution so needed in our country and in our world.
~Melissa Nilsen PhD, Author of, To Guard and Cherish
Shelly McNitt
Dr Zignego’s compassion and passion for doing what is best for kids is shared throughout this essential guide to transforming education through the lens of care. Packed with practical tools, real life stories, and expert insights, this book will send the reader on an inspiring journey to reflect and grow in their professional setting as an educator. The reader will discover ways to support and empower true care in relationships that heal, motivate and uplift every step of the way. I would love to see this model applied to the world at large.
~Shelly McNitt Executive Director of Ministry at First Lutheran
Shozan Jack Haubner
Teaching is a precious vocation. No one ever says “Gosh I had such a great lawyer when I was a kid!” Or, “Remember that financial advisor we had in eighth grade? What a mensch!” People remember their teachers. And after reading Transforming Teaching Through the Cycle of Care, it is easy to see that of all the many elements that go into an education, care is one of the most critical. Practiced well, it can make bad teachers better, better teachers good, and good teachers great. This book is an invaluable primer for anyone interested in both tough questions around what makes education so challenging and inspiring lessons in what makes teaching such a gift.
~Shozan Jack Haubner, Author of Zen Confidential: Confessions of a Wayward Monk and Single White Monk
Mona Beth zignego PhD 