2025 First Quarter Brain Friendly Teacher Book Study

Join us for our 2025 First Quarter MSTA "Beyond the Book" Club Book Study, featuring Brain-Friendly Teacher: How to Create Lasting Learning through Classroom Design & Instruction by Yanina Jimenez.

Participants are responsible for obtaining their own copy of this month's text prior to the beginning of the book study to order; click here.

Have you ever found yourself wondering: Why do my students forget what I teach as soon as class is over? Is that new trend on social media worth trying in my classroom—or just a passing fad? How can I help students retain information in their long-term memory? Does my classroom décor really impact how my students learn? If these questions sound familiar, you’re in the right place. In Brain-Friendly Teacher by Yanina Jimenez, we’ll explore practical, science-backed strategies to help students retain what they learn. The book is packed with simple tools for classroom design, instruction, and atmosphere—organized by how they help students engage, focus, and calm their brains. No more guessing—just strategies you can use right away to create meaningful, lasting learning.

This book is facilitated by MSTA Member Ursulla Wadley. Ursulla graduated from Southeast Missouri State with a bachelor’s degree in Exceptional Child and Elementary Education and obtained her master’s degree in educational leadership at William Woods University. She completed her Trauma-Resilience Studies Certification through Southeast Missouri State, becoming a Trauma Informed Professional. She started her career as an elementary teacher. After seeing the need to help students who were unable to succeed in a regular classroom setting, she took on the role of coordinator/teacher in a support/intervention program. Ursulla then served as the JAG (Jobs for America’s Graduates) Specialist for Cape Central Academy, an alternative high school. She is now serving JAG as the Regional Manager for the Southeast Missouri Region. She is passionate about coaching teachers in ways to increase instructional time and build meaningful relationships with students, all while using effective, trauma-informed interventions.

​​​​​​📘 MSTA's Online Learning Platform

MSTA uses Teachable to host its online professional learning activities, including discussions, group work, and course materials.

What You’ll Find in the Course:

• Discussion Boards: Share insights and reflect with peers.
• Guiding Questions & Tasks: Apply key ideas from readings.
• Asynchronous Format: Participate anytime, anywhere.

🧭 Getting Started with Teachable

First-Time Participant?

Check your email for a message from Teachable (sent to the address you used when registering). Follow the link to confirm your email and set your password. Your course will appear under "My Products."

Returning Participant?

Log in using your email and password from a previous course to access your dashboard.

​💬 Course Expectations

• Attend Zoom networking sessions to connect and collaborate.
• Complete assignments that link course concepts to your classroom practice.
• Access to course resources continues after the course ends.

🎓 PD Certification

• At the end of the month, PD certificates will be emailed to those who complete all course requirements.

​​​​