A Better Beginning

Book excerpt: Here's help for any school or district that wants struggling first-year and beginning teachers to survive and thrive. Written by seasoned administrators and teacher leaders who know the ropes, this guide covers every aspect of the topic, including: Best ways to support new teachers; Stages they go through in their first year; Effective induction programs that last five days, all summer, or an entire year; Mentoring programs that benefit all teachers involved; Strategies for improving new teachers' teaching skills without damaging their morale; and Systemwide solutions that combine induction and mentoring programs with ongoing assessment and professional development. Case studies of successful programs and insights from veteran and novice teachers give you plenty of fresh insights on how to maintain new teachers' confidence and encourage them to innovate and grow.