New Book Offers Strategies to Improve Student Engagement, Promote Self-Efficacy

Bloomington, Ind. (June 4, 2021)— In You Can Learn! Building Student Ownership, Motivation, and Efficacy With the PLC at Work® Process—published by Solution Tree—authors Tim Brown and William M. Ferriter introduce intentional and purposeful steps collaborative teams can take to increase the self-efficacy of every learner.

Rooted in the transformative Professional Learning Communities (PLC) at Work® process, the book provides readers with key strategies to boost student engagement and achievement and help students take ownership of their learning. High levels of learning, the authors assert, start when students believe in their academic abilities.

“Students who can identify and develop their own strengths experience ‘confidence acquired from competence’ again and again, quickly learning that they can succeed in any circumstance,” the authors explain.

Readers receive recommendations for how to start utilizing the strategies outlined in each chapter, as well as templates and tools to enhance their understanding. By incorporating the book’s research-based practices, PLCs will cultivate a culture where students at every grade level see themselves as competent learners fully capable of succeeding in school and beyond.

“This book focuses on the most important agent in the learning process: the student,” said Anthony Muhammad, a best-selling author and education presenter. “When we teach students how to drive their own learning, they truly become learners for life. This book provides the research, insight, strategies, and practical tools to help teachers engage their students in ways that truly ensure high levels of learning for all.”

You Can Learn! Building Student Ownership, Motivation, and Efficacy With the PLC at Work® Process is available to order at SolutionTree.com.

About the Authors

Tim Brown has 30 years of experience in education. As principal of elementary, middle, and high schools in Missouri, he led each to become a successful professional learning community. These PLCs feature highly collaborative environments where clear goals, formative assessment, analyzing data, practicing differentiated instruction, and providing interventions and enrichment have resulted in increased student achievement.

William M. Ferriter is an eighth-grade science teacher in a professional learning community near Raleigh, North Carolina. A National Board Certified Teacher for the past 28 years, Bill has designed professional development courses for educators nationwide on topics ranging from establishing professional learning communities to integrating meaningful student-involved assessment and feedback opportunities into classroom instruction.

Learn more about Solution Tree.