You Can Do This: Hope and Help for New Teachers

by Robyn R. Jackson

HOPE IS ON THE WAY! “I firmly believe that what will make you a master teacher is not the advice I give you; what will make you a master teacher is that you figure out how to solve those challenges on your own, in your own way.” ―From the Preface As a new teacher you face numerous challenges. Right from the start you must learn how to manage a class full of restless students; develop productive relationships with fellow teachers, administrators, and parents; and design engaging lesson plans that will meet ever-increasing levels of accountability all while building a life for yourself in the process. It can be overwhelming and sometimes you can feel like you’re all alone. And yet, you came to this profession because you want to make a difference. How do you juggle the demands of the profession and find your own voice, your own teaching style, your own teaching self? The good news is that  you can do this . In this down-to-earth, inspirational book, bestselling author Robyn Jackson offers encouragement and real-world advice for navigating those difficult years as a beginning teacher. Sharing stories from her own humbling first years as a new teacher, Robyn helps you tackle challenges such as motivating students, planning effective lessons, building relationships with parents, bouncing back from embarrassing mistakes, and finding your own authority as a teacher. She also helps you find success outside the classroom with practical pointers for living on a teacher’s salary and carving out time to have a life of your own. With candor and a good deal of wit, she gently guides you to develop your own teaching style and, ultimately, to find your own path toward mastery. Robyn speaks to new educators as a trusted mentor, one who knows how to navigate the tricky terrain of “new teacherdom”―and knows how rich and rewarding the payoff will be. If you’re new to the profession or know someone about to embark on a teaching career, You Can Do This is the essential roadmap to succeeding as a new educator both inside and outside the classroom.

Genres: Teaching

240 pages, Hardcover

First published August 4, 2014

Reviews

[Marybeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful, wise, and a must read for all pre-service and new teachers.

[Claudia Reid · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel as if it was geared more towards secondary education rather than elementary so there was a big disconnect on what it’s actually like in the elementary classroom. The final chapter was the most impactful and inspiring about teaching being a lifelong career. Overall was a decent read for a beginning teacher. I’ll definitely be passing it on in the future.

[Hanrong Tham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Robyn is such an inspirational and funny writer. Will recommend this book to all beginning teachers.

[Annette Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent book, full of great, practical advice for new teachers. I love Robyn Jackson!