Dreamers Who Can: A Collection of Short Stories by Dr Jerry Chris

The International Baccalaureate Learner Profile hangs in every Primary Years IB classroom. However, the ten qualities seen as essential to good learning often remain simply a list of fuzzy words to the students. What does “Risk-Taker” and “Principled,” really mean if they don’t have practical examples of children their own age exemplifying these qualities?

This is the purpose of Dreamers Who Can, a collection of short stories about each of the ten qualities to make the words in the IB Learner Profile come alive.

Dr Jerry Chris writes in his Introduction: "If we, as teachers, were to gather in a room and describe ten qualities of an ideal student, chances are we could readily agree on at least eight of them. These qualities would not just be applicable to our present day classrooms, but rather would extend to the students’ next level of education, and then far beyond into the realm of the lifelong learner. In fact, were we to meet and attempt to design an ideal adult in a peaceful world, we just might agree on the same eight or ten qualities. Within the last decade, the International Baccalaureate community made such an attempt – to describe qualities that apply equally to the first grader, the sixth grader, or the twelfth grader, as well as the lifelong learner. These ten qualities form the IB Learner Profile: Inquirer, Knowledgeable, Thinker, Communicator, Principled, Open-minded, Caring, Risk-taker, Balanced, Reflective. Although some might think of additional qualities that they see as important, and some might choose a different word or two, debating the value of these ten would prove pointless. Not only do these ten provide a solid foundation for every classroom, but parents could only dream that their children would possess a majority of these attributes."

The ten short stories in Dreamers Who Can are intended to introduce primary-grade students to the Learner Profile and to illustrate how these attributes might be embodied in the everyday lives of these youngsters. It is hoped that the scenarios will encourage students to emulate the best qualities of the characters therein. It also is hoped that parents, as they read with their youngsters, will reflect on their own lives and perhaps even evaluate their own standing within the suggested values of the Learner Profile.

The beautiful, color illustrations are by second grader, Lauren Lohmeier.

"I love these stories! They brought tears to my eyes because they turn negative situations into positive situations, such as the one about bullying being overcome with kindness."  Diane Holman, Parent, Mission Viejo, CA

"At last… These amusing and entertaining stories bring the Learner Profile to life for the students. Believable kids in real situations!" Marilynne Sinclair, Teacher, Ottowa, Canada

Note: Although this book is primarily intended for International Baccalaureate teachers and parents, the stories, and the qualities illustrated by them, are of universal appeal and relevance.

Author, Jerry Chris, Ed.D. has been a teacher in Southern California for 38 years. He has authored seven educational books and two novels. Dr. Chris served as International Baccalaureate Coordinator at Mission Viejo High School, from 1985 until 2008. In 1991 he became the first president of the California International Baccalaureate Organization (CIBO), the prototype for all the sub-regional groups in I.B. In 1998 he co-authored a senate bill which still provides funds for teacher training within the California I.B. organization. He also serves as an I.B. site visitor, Theory of Knowledge workshop leader, TOK examiner, school exam inspector, and applicant school consultant.

Among his many awards are California—Orange Region (GATE) Teacher of the Year, Disney Creative Challenge County Teacher of the Year, and the Crystal Apple from NBC. He has been married to Maureen, also a teacher, for 43 years, and they have two daughters and four grandchildren.