Calumet Editions

Beyond the Lesson Plan

33 Questions Inspired by 33 Years of Teaching

Award-winning teacher Steve Cwodzinski never taught only the curriculum. Drawing on his own hard-won lessons—growing up, surviving a life-threatening accident, and learning about values, relationships, curiosity, and courage—he wove personal stories into class. Over thirty-three years, he distilled those “mental excursions” into thirty-three provocative questions that helped guide his students’ lives, often with magical results. Now these questions are yours, inviting readers of any age to keep exploring—and never stop seeking their own answers.

A touching, funny, and always insightful memoir

—Amazon customer, verified review on Amazon

Description

Award-winning teacher Steve Cwodzinski was never content just imparting the assigned curriculum to his students. He saw in them the need to learn important life lessons as well about values, self-motivation, relationships, inquisitiveness, adventure, and so much more. Using his own struggles with growing up and overcoming a life-threatening accident, he began to weave his personal stories and questions about life into his classes.

Over thirty-three years, Steve developed these sometimes quirky but always tantalizing mental excursions into a list of thirty-three provocative questions that could help guide his students’ lives. The results were often magical, and he discovered that these questions could benefit everyone no matter what their age. Now they are yours. Never stop striving to find your own answers.

Product Details

PublishedDecember 27, 2022
ImprintWisdom Editions
LanguageEnglish
Print length202
ISBN-139781959770657
Dimensions6 x 0.46 x 9 inches

Cwod’s enthusiastic life lessons are not for the cynical. His touching and self-effacing stories from inside and outside the classroom are not for the jaded. And his humor is best-described by the Indonesian word, “jayus”—A joke so unfunny it can’t help but make you laugh.

—Amazon customer, verified review on Amazon

This touching, funny, and always insightful memoir is a go-to graduation present for anyone you know who is about to leave high school and embark on the big-wide world. If you personally had Mr. Cwodzinski as a teacher – this book is a must-read! The memories will come flooding back as he recalls his 33 years teaching government at EPHS. Mr. Cwodzinski’s fondness for teaching, for his subject, and for his students comes shining through as he recalls many poignant moments when his students taught him more than he could have ever anticipated. You will laugh, cry, and call an old friend to see if they can find their self-defining end of year government project! A joy to read!

—Amazon customer, verified review on Amazon

This book is amazing! The author shares decades of knowledge from his rich personal life as well as his professional life, culminating in his new career as a State Senator. I loved this book because it challenges the reader to think about their life and the choices available. Cwodzinski opens the reader’s mind to opportunities that most would not have considered with a philosophical optimism that is delightful. This book would be a great tool for any group to use because it is a stimulating read that would result in wonderful discussions about how we approach our life paths. This is a GREAT book!!!!!

—David, verified review on Amazon