Transforming Teaching Through the Cycle of Care

In Transforming Teaching Through the Cycle of Care: A Comprehensive Guide to Empowering Education Through Relationships, Listening, Thinking, and Responding, 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.

Zignego dives deeply into real-life examples from her own experience and research, illustrating both the profound impact of care on student outcomes and the devastating effects of its absence. From stories of students like Emily, who struggled under an uncaring teacher’s response, to educators like Mr. Price, who embodied the very essence of care in his practice, Transforming Teaching Through the Cycle of Care illuminates the path toward transformative education. A key focus of the book is the concept of self-directed care for teachers—a practice Zignego argues is essential for preventing burnout and for sustaining a healthy, effective teaching career. She acknowledges the emotional, physical, and professional challenges teachers face and provides practical tools to help them navigate these challenges while maintaining a caring, student-centered approach. With exercises like the "Emotionater Tool" and the "Teaching Identity Map," she guides teachers in reflecting on their own needs, biases, and emotional well-being, ensuring that care is directed not only at students but also at themselves.

This book is an invaluable resource for teachers, administrators, and anyone involved in education who wants to cultivate a nurturing and inclusive learning environment. Zignego’s insights remind us that care is the foundation upon which all meaningful education is built, and that by embracing care in teaching, we can create classrooms where every student feels seen, valued, and capable of success. Whether you are a new teacher seeking guidance or an experienced educator looking to deepen your practice, Transforming Teaching Through the Cycle of Care offers the inspiration and tools you need to transform your teaching through the power of care.

Perfect for courses such as: Foundations of Culturally Responsive Teaching; Principles of Classroom Management and Relationships; Introduction to Social and Emotional Learning in Education; Educating for Equity and Social Justice; Foundations of Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Practice; Introduction to School Leadership and Improvement; Teaching in a Diverse Society; Supportive Classroom Communities; Sociocultural Perspectives in Education; and Teacher Leadership and Professional Collaboration

“In Transforming Teaching Through the Cycle of Care: A Comprehensive Guide to Empowering Education Through Relationships, Listening, Thinking, and Responding Mona Zignego has done a seemingly impossible feat – she’s written an academically rich resource that is also full of engaging, real life stories that keep you turning the pages. She’s written a guide showing teachers how to bring more care to all the students in their classrooms (especially marginalized students who are at risk of stereotyped biases), while also showing teachers how to direct more care to themselves so they don’t burn out. And she’s written a book about education that’s just as applicable to other professions, because the most important asset we all have as humans is our relationships with the other people in our lives. Whether you’re in schools like she’s been in for the past 20+ years, or a writers room like I’ve been in, (or anything in between) this book is an invaluable resource to strengthen and amplify your relationships through the Cycle of Care model.”
Helen Krieger, TV writer on shows including Grown-ish, BlackAF, Diarra From Detroit, and Mixed-ish

“With her heartrending stories from the trenches of public education, Dr. Zignego brings the authentic experiences of teachers and students to life with empathy, humor, and insight. Her work on care in education brings to light the urgent need for an educational revolution that puts students’ wellbeing at the center of the learning experience. *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"

“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

“Every day, I tell my students in my classes to be kind. This book is a reminder that we, as educators, should also exemplify kindness and compassion in our teaching. There are times when our students need our encouragement in the form of a compliment, a pat on the back or a simple smile. Dr. Zignego shows us how care is an essential component of our teaching methods. A little kindness from teachers has the potential to go a long way in our students.”
Aimee Weiner, Private/parochial school teacher, Tutor

“When we begin our journey toward a career in education, we do so carrying the memory of a fantastic teacher that made the task of growing up a little better, more tolerable and sometimes even fun. We seek to live in that legacy, to become a respite for our students to grow, learn, play, achieve and if we are lucky we can help open the world for them, just a little. In her book, Transforming Teaching Through the Cycle of Care, a comprehensive guide to empowering education relationships, listening, thinking and responding, Dr. Zignego uncovers the often gate-kept secrets of great teaching. With scaffolded technique and concrete guidance, this book is a valuable tool to not only become a better teacher, but a better human.”
Lori Krieger, NBCT

Acknowledgments

Foreword by Shozan Jack Haubner

Prologue

Chapter 1: What Is Care?

Chapter 2: The Cycle of Care

Chapter 3: Relationships

Chapter 4: Listening

Chapter 5: Thinking

Chapter 6: Responding

Chapter 7: Self-Directed Care

Appendix: PoP (Problem of Practice) Toolkit

About the Authors

Index

NOTE: Table of contents subject to change up until publication date.

Mona Beth Zignego, PhD

Mona Beth Zignego, PhD, is an accomplished educator, researcher, and literacy specialist with over two decades of experience in the field of education. She currently serves as the Chief School Officer at LUMIN Schools. With a PhD in Language and Literacy, her expertise focuses on literacy, teacher education, and foundational reading skills. Her doctoral research explored bridging the gap between research and practice through a hybrid case study of teacher literacy education. Dr. Zignego has held adjunct teaching positions at several universities, where she has influenced the next generation of educators through courses on literacy development, assessment, and intervention. Her work has taken her into classrooms, schools, and districts where she has provided literacy coaching, data analysis, and professional development across Wisconsin. Dr. Zignego’s leadership in designing literacy programs, tiered intervention strategies, and equitable multi-level support systems has had a transformative impact on school culture and student outcomes.

She is a published author, with her work featured in The Reading Teacher and Currere Exchange Journal. Additionally, Dr. Zignego has contributed chapters to various academic books and presented at numerous international and national conferences, focusing on the cycle of care, liberatory literacy, and transformational coaching. Her dedication to education is grounded in a commitment to equity, care, and a deep understanding of the complex challenges faced by teachers and students alike. As an advocate for socially just classrooms and care-driven pedagogy, Dr. Zignego continues to explore innovative methods for improving literacy education and teacher support.

Cycle of Care; Culturally Responsive; Decolonized Data; Emotional Intelligence; Student-Teacher Relationships; Equity; Self-Directed Care; Data analysis; Solution-oriented teaching; Asset-based Teaching

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Transforming Teaching Through the Cycle of Care

A Comprehensive Guide to Empowering Education Through Relationships, Listening, Thinking, and Responding

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Mona Beth Zignego, PhD

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