Request for consultation

Thanks for your request. You’ll soon be chatting with a consultant to get the answers you need.
Your form is submitting...
{{formPostErrorMessage.message}} [{{formPostErrorMessage.code}}]
Email Address is required. 'Email Address' must contain at least 0 characters 'Email Address' cannot exceed 0 characters Please enter a valid Email Address
First Name is required. 'First Name' must contain at least 0 characters 'First Name' cannot exceed 0 characters Please enter a valid First Name
Last Name is required. 'Last Name' must contain at least 0 characters 'Last Name' cannot exceed 0 characters Please enter a valid Last Name
Institution is required.
Discipline is required.
Cengage, at your service! How can we best meet your needs? is required.
Why are you contacting us today? is required. 'Why are you contacting us today?' must contain at least 0 characters 'Why are you contacting us today?' cannot exceed 0 characters Please enter a valid Why are you contacting us today?
New!

Those Who Can, Teach, 16th Edition

Kevin Ryan, James M. Cooper, Cheryl Mason Bolick, Cory Callahan

  • Copyright 2027
  • {{checkPublicationMessage('Published', '2026-01-01T00:00:00+0000')}}
Starting At $77.95 See pricing and ISBN options
Instructor Next Steps
Students: Buy now
Those Who Can, Teach 16th Edition by Kevin Ryan/James M. Cooper/Cheryl Mason Bolick/Cory Callahan
Quick Navigation

Overview

Guide students in making informed decisions about entering today's teaching profession with Ryan/Cooper/Bolick/Callahan's "Those Who Can, Teach," 16th Edition. This reader-friendly, yet research-grounded text explores the question 'Why teach?' through compelling from-the-classroom narratives, biographical profiles, top educator interviews and authentic video cases that bring real-world teaching experiences to life. New content addresses the wise use of technology, including sophisticated websites, apps and AI and addresses key issues like first-year teaching, social challenges, education reform and professionalism. Integrated InTASC standards and downloadable teaching tools support students in preparing for a high impact, rewarding teaching career that makes a difference in today’s diverse and evolving classrooms.

{{readMore['overview'] ? 'Read More' : 'Read Less'}}

Meet the Authors

{{collapseContainerClosed['meet-the-author'] ? 'Show More' : 'Show Less'}}

Kevin Ryan

Kevin Ryan, Ph.D., Stanford University, is professor emeritus of education at Boston University School of Education. He is also the founding director of the Center for Character and Social Responsibility. A former high school English teacher, Dr. Ryan was a tenured faculty member at the University of Chicago and The Ohio State University before moving to Boston University. In 1970, Dr. Ryan was granted an Alfred North Whitehead Fellowship at Harvard University; he taught at the University of Lisbon in 1982, and was a member of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences from 2003–2013. Dr. Ryan has received the Boston University Scholar-Teacher Award, the National Award of Distinction by the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education and the Paideia Society's Award for Educational Excellence. Dr. Ryan has written and edited 22 books and more than 100 articles on teacher and character education. He is also co-author of "Teaching For Student Learning: Becoming a Master Teacher" and the editor of "Kaleidoscope: Contemporary and Classic Readings in Education."

James M. Cooper

James M. Cooper is professor emeritus with the Curry School of Education at the University of Virginia, where he served as Commonwealth Professor of Education (1984–2004) and dean (1984–1994). While dean of the Curry School of Education, Dr. Cooper led the initiative to restructure the teacher education program, moving to an innovative five-year program that integrates the study of arts and sciences, professional education and field experiences. In addition to his teaching experience, Dr. Cooper has authored, co-authored or edited more than 60 book chapters, journal articles, monographs and books, including "Teaching For Student Learning: Becoming a Master Teacher" and "Kaleidoscope: Contemporary and Classic Readings in Education." He also co-authored and served as editor for "Classroom Teaching Skills." In addition, Dr. Cooper is a series editor of the Educator's Guide Series (Cengage). His books and articles address teacher education, supervision of teachers, case studies in teacher education and technology and teacher education. Dr. Cooper has also received many honors, including a Fulbright-Hays Award for Lecturing in Portugal and recognition as one of the nation's Distinguished Teacher Educators from the Association of Teacher Educators.

Cheryl Mason Bolick

Cheryl Mason Bolick, Ph.D., North Carolina State University, is an associate professor and area chair of culture, curriculum and teacher education in the School of Education at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She was previously a faculty member at the Curry School of Education at the University of Virginia. Dr. Bolick has been an Academic Leadership Fellow at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and was a Sallie Mae National First Year Classroom Teacher after her first year of teaching. Her scholarly contributions primarily address areas of teacher education, social studies, education and instructional technology. Her most recent work bridges the fields of experiential education, teacher education and social studies education. Dr. Bolick has authored or co-authored over 20 books or book chapters and 45 peer-reviewed journal articles.

Cory Callahan

Cory Callahan, Ph.D., Auburn University, is an associate professor in the College of Education at the University of Alabama. Dr. Callahan taught secondary students for 14 years, practicing the craft of social studies instruction the way he promoted it in presentations, workshops and scholarly writing. He earned his doctorate and became a teacher educator to advance a research program that includes educative curriculum materials, problem-based historical inquiry, aesthetic texts and international education. Dr. Callahan has encouraged a more dynamic relationship between research and practice through opportunities afforded him by a National Technology Leadership Initiative Fellows Award, a Jacobs Educator Award, a Gilder Lehrman’s Alabama History Teacher of the Year Award and a Literati Award from Emerald Publishing. He is also a Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund Fellow and recently completed a Fulbright US Scholar project with the University of Prishtinë in Kosovo.

What's New

{{collapseContainerClosed['whats-new'] ? 'Show More' : 'Show Less'}}
  • A new chapter on technology shows how to use AI and other digital tools most effectively to enhance learning for all students, including those with disabilities.
  • The new Voices from the Classroom feature offers real insight from K–12 educators on the rewards and challenges of teaching today.

Features

{{collapseContainerClosed['features'] ? 'Show More' : 'Show Less'}}
  • Each chapter includes clear Learning Objectives and downloadable teaching tools to help students apply content and build a professional toolkit.
  • The theme 'Why teach?' is introduced in Chapter 1 and reinforced throughout the text, encouraging students to reflect often on their motivations to teach.
  • Balanced coverage of key issues like standards, testing, reform, diversity, bullying and legal topics prepare students for today’s classrooms.
  • Bookend sections and real-world case studies help students reflect on their career path and understand the realities of teaching and learning.
  • TeachSource videos with critical-thinking prompts connect chapter content to real classroom scenarios for deeper engagement.
  • InTASC standards are integrated throughout with chapter-opening lists, callouts and a correlation chart to support professional readiness.

Table of Contents

{{collapseContainerClosed['table-of-contents'] ? 'Show More' : 'Show Less'}}
Preface.
So Let's Get Started.
Part I: SCHOOL AND STUDENTS.
1. Why Teach?
2. What Is a School and What Is It For?
3. Who Are Today's Students in a Diverse Society?
4. What Social Problems Affect Today's Students?
5. What Is Taught?
Part II: TEACHERS.
6. What Makes a Teacher Effective?
7. What Should Teachers Know about Technology and Its Impact on Schools?
8. What Are the Ethical and Legal Issues Facing Teachers?
Part III: FOUNDATIONS AND THE FUTURE.
9. What Are the Philosophical Foundations of American Education?
10. What Is the History of America's Struggle for Educational Opportunity?
11. How Are Schools Governed, Influenced, and Financed?
12. How Should Education Be Reformed?
Part IV: THE TEACHING PROFESSION.
13. What Are Your Job Options in Education?
14. What Can the New Teacher Expect?
15. What Does It Mean to Be a Professional?
Before You Close the Book.
Appendix.
Endnotes.
Glossary.
Index.

Compare Buying Options

{{collapseContainerClosed['compare-buying-options'] ? 'Show More' : 'Show Less'}}

MindTap Options

{{collapseContainerClosed['detail_1'] ? 'Show More' : 'Show Less'}}
MindTap
Each MindTap product offers the full, mobile-ready textbook combined with superior and proven learning tools at one affordable price. Students who purchase digital access can add a print option at any time when a print option is available for their course.

This Cengage solution can be seamlessly integrated into most Learning Management Systems (Blackboard, Brightspace by D2L, Canvas, Moodle, and more) but does require a different ISBN for access codes. Please work with your Cengage Learning Consultant to ensure the proper course set up and ordering information. For additional information, please visit the LMS Integration site.

Standalone Digital Access — Ultimate Value

Recommended and most popular

  • ISBN-10: 8214132835
  • ISBN-13: 9798214132839
  • RETAIL $105.95

  • ISBN-10: 8214132819
  • ISBN-13: 9798214132815
  • RETAIL $105.95
Instructor Next Steps
Students: Buy now

Textbook Only Options

Traditional eBook and Print Options

{{collapseContainerClosed['detail_0'] ? 'Show More' : 'Show Less'}}

  • ISBN-10: 8214132851
  • ISBN-13: 9798214132853
  • RETAIL $77.95

  • ISBN-10: 8214132762
  • ISBN-13: 9798214132761
  • RETAIL $196.95
Instructor Next Steps
Students: Buy now

Supplements

{{collapseContainerClosed['supplements'] ? 'Show More' : 'Show Less'}}

Cengage provides a range of supplements that are updated in coordination with the main title selection. For more information about these supplements, contact your Learning Consultant.

FOR STUDENTS

MindTap for Ryan/Cooper/Bolick/Callahan's Those Who Can, Teach, 1 term Instant Access

ISBN: 9798214132839
MindTap for Ryan/Cooper/Bolick/Callahan's "Those Who Can, Teach," 16th Edition, is the digital learning solution that powers students from memorization to mastery. It gives you complete control of your course to provide engaging content, challenge every individual and build their confidence. Empower students to accelerate their progress with MindTap. MindTap: Powered by You. MindTap gives you complete ownership of your content and learning experience. Customize the interactive syllabi, emphasize the most important topics and add your own material or notes in the eBook.

MindTap for Ryan/Cooper/Bolick/Callahan's Those Who Can, Teach, 2 terms Instant Access

ISBN: 9798214132815
MindTap for Ryan/Cooper/Bolick/Callahan's "Those Who Can, Teach," 16th Edition, is the digital learning solution that powers students from memorization to mastery. It gives you complete control of your course to provide engaging content, challenge every individual and build their confidence. Empower students to accelerate their progress with MindTap. MindTap: Powered by You. MindTap gives you complete ownership of your content and learning experience. Customize the interactive syllabi, emphasize the most important topics and add your own material or notes in the eBook.