Stories about Teaching, Learning, and Resilience

Steve Piscitelli

To order Stories about Teaching, Learning, and Resilience: No Need to be an Island go to either Amazon ( for print and Kindle versions), Barnes and Noble, or Books-a-Million.

You can view the supplemental videos I created for your use (FREE!) on the YouTube playlist.

During more than three decades as a teacher and workshop facilitator, Steve Piscitelli noticed that many educators can become isolated from their colleagues and their larger institutional culture. They become “islands” disconnected from the potential power of the teaching and learning community. That isolation can affect teaching efficacy and resilience.

I wrote this book to encourage educators to embrace the power of collaboration. He outlines (and brings to life) the “7Rs” for success: relationships, relevance, resources, rainbows, responsibility, reflection, and resilience. I created thirty-seven scenarios, based on real-life/real campus/real collegial issues. Each scenario shows how to apply these seven themes to better adapt to the professional and personal challenges educators face.

The scenarios raise questions about the classroom, work-life integration, collaboration with coworkers, and interpersonal relationships with supervisors. Every teaching and learning situation—everyone—gives us the opportunity to take stock of and strengthen our own resilience level. And we do not have to do it alone. That is the beauty of our calling! And that is the strength of this book. It recognizes the power of a collegial teaching and learning community.

I supplement the information and scenarios with links to brief thought-provoking videos (approximately sixty seconds each) that encapsulate major themes and discussion points. You will find the videos below AND can also find them on the YouTube playlist.

Video Playlist

Below you will find short videos introducing each part of the book. I wrote and produced each video with the intent of providing context and provocative questions to serve as conversation starters. And each video allows the book readers to put a face, name, and voice together when it comes to the author of their book. That is one way to build relationships. Simply click on the video link and enjoy these complementary videos.

Welcome Message From Steve