Too often, students sit compliantly in class and aren’t engaged in the learning. Acclaimed speaker and author Aaron Hansen uses compelling stories and a step-by-step framework to help educators become hero makers. These powerful classroom mentors empower students to break free of their self-limiting stories and fixed mindsets and experience a new story of hope, self-efficacy, and ownership as heroes of their learning journeys. This book will help K–12 teachers and collaborative teams: Access templates and tools to guide metacognitive reflection and assist in students’ self-assessment - Be reinspired and rejuvenated in their calling as teachers by true stories of transformation that every educator can relate to - Select relevant content with real-world applications that boost student engagement - Build self-efficacy and ownership of learning in all students - Learn how to use the simple six-step framework for empowering students: (1) clarify learning goals, (2) establish trusting relationships, (3) choose worthy content, (4) facilitate student self-assessment, (5) encourage metacognition, and (6) develop a vision for their future Contents: Introduction: Stories, Journeys, Heroes, and Hope Chapter 1: Step 1—Clarify Learning Goals Chapter 2: Step 2—Leverage Relationships of Trust to Help Students Overcome Fear Chapter 3: Step 3—Select Worthy Content to Help Students Develop Skills Chapter 4: Step 4—Encourage Facilitated Feedback and Self-Assessment Chapter 5: Step 5—Encourage Metacognition Chapter 6: Step 6—Help Students Find a Compelling Vision Chapter 7: Hero-Maker Framework Tasks Epilogue References and Resources Index “For years, I have been reminding educators from around the world that 'hope is not a strategy' when it comes to the effort [they] must put forth to enhance structures and systems intended to help students learn. In Heroes Within , Aaron Hansen passionately reminds us that without hope, students will leave our newly improved schools unable to break free from fixed mindsets destined to limit their growth and trajectory in life. Using research-based theories and ideas, Hansen provides us with a road map and declares a call to action for all educators to embrace their inner 'wizard' so that our students embrace becoming the 'hero' of their own stories moving forward. This is a must-read for any educator seeking to complement institutional enhancements to schools with the necessary ingredients students need to own and sustain their path toward happy and fulfilled lives.” -- Luis F. Cruz , education expert, speaker, and best-selling author “Through the Hero-Maker Framework, Aaron Hanson gives a practical yet inspiring guide to educators that combines academic excellence along with social-emotional tools to ensure that students are not just learning at high levels but [acting as] the heroes in their own stories. This book is for all of us who are looking to enhance our current practices with tools and strategies to build self-efficacy and ownership of learning for all of our students.” -- Jennifer Dickson , former Model PLC at Work® principal and director of early childhood, Texas “Hansen reveals a wizard’s wisdom, and a hero-maker’s heart in his game-changer book. Beautifully written. Carry it in your bag . . . Learn and walk on the steps of its logical pathway . . . Then shout your story to the rooftops, ‘I will be a hero-maker!’” -- Timothy D. Kanold , author, HEART! and SOUL! "As others in the educational arena throw around terms like efficacy, student-centered, and lifelong learning, Aaron Hansen provides the readers with a practical framework to actually bring those ideas into reality. Heroes Within is a book that contains compelling research combined with a strong dose of morality and heart. Educators will love this book." -- Anthony Muhammad , PhD, author and education expert Aaron Hansen is a speaker, author, and coach who empowers teachers and leaders to transform their schools. As principal, Aaron led the transformation of White Pine Middle School in Nevada into a nationally recognized, high-achieving school. White Pine was a National Model School (2009–2012) and was the only middle school in the United States to be named a Middle School of Distinction (2010) by the International Center for Leadership in Education. The school was listed on AllThingsPLC.info and was a Title I Distinguished School. Aaron has worked with thousands of educators across North America and beyond, helping them improve their processes for PLCs, RTI, teacher and leader improvement, student and staff culture, and comprehensive school transformation. Aaron has written and produced videos extensively about school change. Aaron has been featured in many books, articles, and news stories, including, World News With Charles Gibson (ABC), American Morning (CNN), Fox & Friends (Fox News), and a BBC documentary, all highlighting the changes he led in transforming school cultur