The Wild Card: 7 Steps to an Educator's Creative Breakthrough

Last year I had the opportunity to see Wade and Hope King in action in their environment at The Ron Clark Academy. I was enamored by their strategies and techniques. This began my journey down a rabbit hole reading Hope’s blog, watch YouTube and Periscope videos, as well as following them both on social media. When their book was announced I knew I wanted it. This book has surpassed all expectations. As I began reading I found myself connecting even more with these two extraordinary individuals who are truly changing the way teachers across the country are interacting and teaching the students who enter their classrooms every day. Wade and Hope have hit the nail on the head when it comes to identifying keys to success in classrooms. The success of our students begin with the creativity we put into our craft as teachers. Wade and Hope have shown through their book that having the courage to step out of your comfort zone helps meet the needs of all students in your classroom. They explain that our failures helps us grow. I can’t agree)more. There is no growing in the comfort zone and no comfort in the growing zone. This book, The Wild Card, should be required reading for all pre-service teachers. Can you imagine how different those teachers would be as they entered the workforce? The Wild Card is a must read, whether you have been teaching for 10, 20, 30 years or whether you are just beginning. This book, The Wild Card, has helped breathe life into my classroom and my career as a teacher.

I cannot say enough good things about this book! First, the Kings co-wrote this book which is mostly about teaching mindset and practice. They share their success story about their “wild card” mentality; how through their classroom experiences they were eventually led to RCA, which is considered one of the best schools in the country. This alone was enough to draw my focus in. Second, if you’re complacent, lazy, or bored with your teaching job, YOU MUST pick up this book and soak in their wisdom. Seriously, Hope and Wade lay out all the steps you need to get out of the comfort zone and into the creative zone in teaching. If you want to fall in love with teaching again, pay close attention! Sitting in the comfort zone as a teacher will not impact your students in the way you want! As someone who struggles with anxiety, it was SO REFRESHING to read about their doubts as teachers and how they overcame them. Their mentality on being a “wild card” teacher has influenced my own teaching practice- this is exactly the push I needed to continue my journey as a teacher. If you want to make a difference in your classroom, and truly connect and engage with your students, then give this book a read and implement their methods into your practice. It will change your life just like it’s changed mine.

The WILD CARD is definitely a must read! It has opened my eyes in so many ways!!! It confirmed that it’s okay not to be like everyone else. We as teachers all have different experiences and gifts that we can offer and bring to the classroom, to our students. We just can’t listen to the Joker! We aren’t in competition with other teachers, only ourselves! The WILD CARD reaffirmed that my style of teaching is okay. I can and should TEACH OUTSIDE THE BOX to give my students not just an education but an experience! You can offer those experiences through classroom transformations. You may ask what is that and how do I get started? The Wild Card will tell you all about them and even give you ideas to help you get started. Then once you get comfortable and gain confidence in doing classroom transformations, the sky is the limit. That’s when your CREATIVE breakthrough will come to life! The Wild Card also reminds us that while we are being creative in our planning and teaching, our expectations and rigor should still remain in tact. We have to set our expectations high and accept nothing less! Dont make exceptions! Don’t settle! We are the LEADER in our classroom, so we need to ask ourselves how can we breathe life into our curriculum?!?! I don’t know about you but that is something I ask myself everyday? What can I do to make a difference today? How many students can I reach? After all, my students are my WHY! What’s your why?!?! My take away from this book is to always smile (show kindness and love), be passionate and show enthusiasm. BE THE WILD CARD!!!

I very uplifting read from some very creative authors. The book is basically a narrative of how the authors become creative teachers, while overcoming obstacles along the way. Their goal is to convince you that every teacher can be creative. In my opinion, the book relates better to elementary grades and lower. Although the book suggests buying from thrift stores and asking for donations, budget cost will likely be an issue for many teachers if you adopt their methods. There are some practical suggestions at the end of the book.

“We’ve learned that creativity is the key to engagement, and engagement is the magic pixie dust that makes kids want to come to school.” This is a quote from an awesome new called #TheWildCard! This is the book I have been waiting for my entire teaching career. 22 years and still going but I have found my teacher spirit being diminished by curriculum, standards and many other factors. I truly do care and I want to make a difference in all of my students lives. I have always been creative and thought outside the box when thinking about lessons but the past few years I feel like I have let this part of myself hide but this book renews my spirit and hope in myself that I can be that wildcard for all of my students. To all of my teacher friends, please check this book out! Get it! Read it! Be inspired! #LifeOfATeacher #FifthGrade #BeTheWildCard #Inspired #RenewYourSpirit

I loved this book! It is filled with fantastic ideas and inspiration to bring back into the classroom.

How many times have you heard adults talk about their school experience in a positive way? How often do they describe it as "fun"? Wade and Hope King are amazing educators who have gifted us with an inspiring and tangible method to bring fun into our classrooms. They have proven that it is possible to have high academic expectations while bringing learning alive for our students. The question isn't "why should we dress up and transform for our students?", the question is "why shouldn't we?" A must read for sure!!!

This book is amazing. They not only promote engagement in your classrooms, but they share how it is important to use what you HAVE to build that engagement. For Wade and Hope, it is music and dressing up, but for others it may be something different. This book is inspiring and really helped me to look at how I can create engaging lessons for the students that not only help them learn, but inspire them to go deeper. Definitely a great summer read to get your ideas going for the upcoming year!

The Wild Card will inspire you to be the teacher you were meant to be. This book is not going to lay out lesson plans for you, but rather, it is going to help you unleash your creativity. It will give you ideas how to make what you are teaching more engaging for your students so they are not just merely coming to school and surviving but instead they are thriving. Every educator must read this book!

A must have for all educators wanting to make a difference