A Visual, Step- by- Step Guide for Re-Envisioning Rigor
Powerful Routines for Promoting Student Agency
Published on 30. November 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
106 pages
978-1-950089-32-1 (ISBN)
Description
A Visual, Step-by-Step Guide for Re-Envisioning Rigor: Powerful Routines for Promoting Student Agency is your blueprint for making student ownership not just possible, but habitual. Grounded in real classrooms and supported by research, this third book in the series transforms agency from a buzzword into a daily practice that supports every learner.
Designed for immediate application, it delivers routines and tools to help students take initiative, monitor progress, collaborate meaningfully, and build lifelong habits of thinking and learning.
Whether you're launching a new routine, leading a PLC, or coaching new teachers, this book makes agency actionable . . . one habit at a time.Supports agency through daily habits and intentional practice
24+ visual, research-based routines for all levels of learning
Step-by-step visuals with dashboards for prep, implementation, and impact
Aligned to the "Need It, See It, Start It, Show It" framework for PLCs and coaching
Builds small, stackable habits for long-term success
This isn't a guide for compliance; it's a daily playbook for helping students think, collaborate, and lead far beyond the classroom.
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Persons
Michael McDowell, Ed. D. was a public school educator for eighteen years serving in the roles of classroom teacher, academic and athletic coach, school principal, assistant superintendent of personnel and instruction, and superintendent. During his tenure as a superintendent, his school district received state and national accolades including the National Blue Ribbon Award which recognized their work for student performance and mental health and well-being in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic by the U.S. Department of Education.Dr. McDowell serves on numerous boards, served as a college professor, and worked for non-profit organizations to enhance student learning around the world. Over the course of his career, Dr. McDowell has authored bestselling books, created professional learning programs and workbooks, provided keynotes and workshops, and provided practical tools and resources for thousands of teachers and leaders on almost every continent around the world. A prolific author and consultant, Dr. McDowell is recognized as one of the leading authorities on integrating innovative and impactful practices into schools. Offering keynotes and executive coaching to heads of school around the world, he partners with educational leaders to implement high-leverage strategies that will enhance teaching and learning in classrooms, schools, and systems.