“The key to learning is relationships. Venola Mason provides readers with an important blueprint for how to build authentic relationships, provide instructional rigor and cultural relevance for all students that is essential reading for every educator. This book is practical, insightful, and offers powerful anecdotes that will help educators Teach Up!"

“For the past several years many in the US education system have called for our schools to move to Rigor, Relevance, and Relationship as a way to organize their instructional programs. The nation’s most rapidly improving schools have learned that the priority needs to be first on Relationships then to Relevance then to Rigor. In Teach Up! Venola Mason has captured these school success stories in a way that can serve as a blueprint for all educators committed to improving student performance. A great book and a must-read!!”

“Developing into a master teacher is one of life’s supreme missions. Teach Up! is your all-inclusive manual with sensible instructional approaches that will unquestionably intensify the student-teacher bond, which is the central theme in the book. As an educator for thirty-eight years, I am recommending Teach Up! because we need every classroom to be a beacon of what Venola advocates; students who feel cared for, challenged, and successful.”

“Venola just gets it! She offers an insightful and practical perspective for educators who want to strengthen their instructional practices and do it in a way that seeks to understand students—through relationships. If you are wondering who this book is for, my friend, it is indeed for you and everyone else who is serious about truly educating students.”

“Educators from all walks of life are seeking, now more than ever, authentic approaches to cultivate culturally responsive learning communities. Mason constructs a new type of relationship-building structure that pinpoints struggles and solutions to foster growth for both teachers and students. Mason guides us to aim high at the intersection of empathy, vulnerability, and resilience—resulting in remarkable achievement for all learners.”

We [Columbus Magnet School (CMS)] embarked on a journey guided by the Rigor/Relevant Framework. We engaged in robust discussions - guided by our easy-to-read, yet powerful rigor/relevance document. Venola is a master teacher of teachers. Her philosophy and essence are grounded on providing teachers the tools to draw out the best from teachers. Her teaching style is rooted in trust. She is inspirational and gets you to believe in your power to lead with your head and your heart.”

 
“Venola Mason has written a must-have resource for all educators! Venola does a fantastic job taking educators through the important elements that are needed to cultivate strong relationships with students and families in their school and classroom. Her book Teach Up! offers practical strategies and ideas from her “Teach Up! Tips,” personal examples throughout every chapter, and PAUSE and REACT tool. The lesson ideas and relationship-building activities that are featured in the book are practical and can be used immediately in any classroom. This book works to push educators to be better for their students. I love how the focus in this book is on building a strong relationship with students, families, and the community. This is a wonderful instructional resource for any educator to have in their teacher toolbox.”

“As beginning and experienced educators stand at the dawn of a new teaching era, Teach Up! provides a clear and compelling path of inclusive strategies, intentional best practices, and transformative takeaways that engage and guide the critical and creative thinking of 21st century learners. Venola Mason’s exemplary focus, real-classroom work, dedication, and love for all stakeholders of the teaching and learning business is most evident! “Teach Up” and you will embrace the whole learner from restorative circles to excel-ebrations!”

As a veteran teacher, with 19 years classroom experience, I am so thankful for the book Teach Up! Venola Mason really outlines effective best practices and helps to identify the most important elements to creating and maintaining positive student relationships. This book is an easy read and is packed with tools that any teacher can utilize immediately. I used this book as a book club read for my new teachers I mentor. This group of teachers are really thankful for the book and have found it to be instrumental in their teaching, especially post-pandemic! I highly suggest Teach Up to teachers on any academic level! Thank you Venola for your work.