Download: Free: Click Here
Kindle: regularly $10.00 Sale $1.00
Print: regularly $16.00 Sale $10.00 (with a workbook included)
The Journey
I was a new teacher, worried about the practical matters. How would I align the desks? How should I set up my rules? What procedures did I need? How would I do the bulletin boards? I wanted something practical. So, I sought out books geared toward first year teachers. I highlighted the texts. I wrote in the margins. I made lists. Then I made lists of lists. I felt comfortable going into the first day, because I had been so prepared.
Then I taught for a few weeks and I realized that I wasn’t prepared. I quickly realized that what I wanted to know wasn’t what I needed to know. I needed to learn how to lead rather than manage students. I needed a sense of paradox and nuance. I needed to build a better classroom community.
This book is a result of my journey. It’s the kind of new teacher book that I wish I had read before my first year. It may not be practical for everyone. However, I have a hunch there are others out there who will find themselves in tears during the first year of teaching. After reading so much about the first week of school, they question what it means to last for the next twenty-five years. This book is for the teachers who are saying, “I want to make it, but I’m wondering if I will.”
Description
Instead of providing a list of rules, formulas and steps that new teachers need to follow, the author tells stories, makes observations and provides practical advice. In a style that is both deep and conversational, the author provides insights often neglected in books aimed for new teachers, including the role of shame in teacher ide¬¬ntity, the use of professional learning networks for professional growth, the need for paradox, increasing a sense of awareness, the need for humility in classroom leadership and how to build a better relationship with students. The result is a book that is practical, philosophical and personal. It also includes a New Teacher Toolkit with 45 resources for teachers entering the classroom for the first time.
A Different Kind of New Teacher Book
I know that there are a ton of new teacher books out there, but there are a few things that make this one different (though not necessarily better):
This book is different than other books that I've written in that it's deliberately practical. It is 8"x10" and written in a workbook style. Here are a few features:
I was a new teacher, worried about the practical matters. How would I align the desks? How should I set up my rules? What procedures did I need? How would I do the bulletin boards? I wanted something practical. So, I sought out books geared toward first year teachers. I highlighted the texts. I wrote in the margins. I made lists. Then I made lists of lists. I felt comfortable going into the first day, because I had been so prepared.
Then I taught for a few weeks and I realized that I wasn’t prepared. I quickly realized that what I wanted to know wasn’t what I needed to know. I needed to learn how to lead rather than manage students. I needed a sense of paradox and nuance. I needed to build a better classroom community.
This book is a result of my journey. It’s the kind of new teacher book that I wish I had read before my first year. It may not be practical for everyone. However, I have a hunch there are others out there who will find themselves in tears during the first year of teaching. After reading so much about the first week of school, they question what it means to last for the next twenty-five years. This book is for the teachers who are saying, “I want to make it, but I’m wondering if I will.”
Description
Instead of providing a list of rules, formulas and steps that new teachers need to follow, the author tells stories, makes observations and provides practical advice. In a style that is both deep and conversational, the author provides insights often neglected in books aimed for new teachers, including the role of shame in teacher ide¬¬ntity, the use of professional learning networks for professional growth, the need for paradox, increasing a sense of awareness, the need for humility in classroom leadership and how to build a better relationship with students. The result is a book that is practical, philosophical and personal. It also includes a New Teacher Toolkit with 45 resources for teachers entering the classroom for the first time.
A Different Kind of New Teacher Book
I know that there are a ton of new teacher books out there, but there are a few things that make this one different (though not necessarily better):
- A different focus: Looking back, I thought I needed help with bulletin boards and teaching strategies. What I really needed was a hard look at discipline, shame, my mindset and my sens of awareness in the classroom. I cover a few themes that don't seem to be covered in most new teacher books.
- A different philosophy: Many of the new teacher books rely on a behaviorist, corporate management philosophy. This book is for those who yearn for student-centered, authentic learning with a healthy dose of realism mixed in.
- A different style: I use a more personal, narrative style of writing than many of the books written for new teachers. I write about my classroom experiences alongside stories from fatherhood and childhood. While I still offer some practical advice, I'm honest about my mistake and what people can learn from them.
This book is different than other books that I've written in that it's deliberately practical. It is 8"x10" and written in a workbook style. Here are a few features:
- Reflective journal for each chapter
- Specific, practical advice alongside stories and observations
- A New Teacher's Toolkit with forty-five resources that I've created
Thanks! As a teacher who has subbed a bit and is currently teaching overseas this one sounds great. Thanks for offering it for such a great price!
ReplyDeleteNo problem. I hope you find it to be useful.
DeleteOrdered. I think we have the whole set.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Russ.
DeleteI'm going to order several of the printed copies for myself and to share with some of my colleagues at school. I haven't made it all the way through the Kindle version yet because, well, life has happened. That said, what I have finished is very powerful and helped me re-envision who I wanted to be as a teacher and what I wanted the learning in my classroom to look like.
ReplyDeleteIf you click on the free download, it comes with the tool kit as a stand-alone word document. You may want that so that folks can customize the resources there.
DeleteBummer. Amazon is saying it's out of print. If there's another printing, John, let me know.
ReplyDeleteSorry. It should be ready in a day or two. I fixed a few grammatical things after being ripped by a reviewer. I didn't realized I had made those mistakes. It should be up in a day or two.
DeleteCool. I'll definitely order a few then. I'll also grab the free download when I get back to my laptop. Thanks, John!
ReplyDeleteThank you .....for everything
ReplyDelete