Full Description
"I felt inspired and renewed and validated."
-Cathy Lutz, Teacher
Madison Station Elementary School, MS
"Both practical and inspirational."
-Chris Laster, Teacher
Russell Elementary School, Smyrna, GA
"This is a book I want to utilize with my preservice students. It is right on, a great positive PR tool for our new teachers."
-J. Victor McGuire, Founder
National Association for Beginning Teachers
Professor, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
"The author's voice is clear and comes from a deep set of values and beliefs that should be heard by contemporary teachers in training and by practicing teachers."
-Marilyn Katzenmeyer
Professional Development Center
Smile as early and as often as you can in your learning classroom!
Explore the realities behind eight well-known teaching myths with veteran teacher educator Peggy Deal Redman. With insightful classroom stories, reflective questions, how-to tips and strategies, and inspirational quotes to encourage, inspire, and motivate every teacher in today's professional learning community, this creative resource offers:
Tools for building a positive classroom environment
Sound advice for developing respectful relationships with students
Tips for collaborating with colleagues, administrators, and parents
Ideas for rekindling professional idealism
Contents
Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgements
About the Author
1. Myth #1: Don't Smile Until December
Reality: Smile as Early On and as Often as You Can to Build a Healthy Classroom Climate
2. Myth #2: Teaching Is a Cushy Job
Reality: Teaching Is Hard Work and Requires Year-Round Planning in Addition to Daily Preparation and Professional Development
3. Myth #3: Good Teachers Are Born, Not Made
Reality: Teachers Are Lifelong Learners Continually Growing in Their Profession From Their "Aha" Moments Through Their Veteran Mentoring Years
4. Myth #4: Good Teachers Don't Make Mistakes
Reality: Good Teachers Learn From Their Most Dramatic Mistakes
5. Myth #5: Good Teachers Teach Facts
Reality: Good Teachers Teach the Whole Child How to Think and Learn
6. Myth #6: They Can't Learn; They Belong in Special Education
Reality: Every Child Can Learn and Is Legally Entitled to the Best Education
7. Myth #7: Teaching Is a Lonely Job
Reality: Teaching Is a Collaborative Profession and Today's Schools Are Professional Learning Communities
8. Myth #8 Teaching Is a Dead End Job
Reality: The Rewards of Teaching Are Unending
Afterword
References
Index
