Opposite of Post Below-Looking to Teach

maddie&stephen · April 2012

I've decided to pursue a career in teaching; I started out with an Elementary Education (K-6) and Psychology degree in college but changed my mind and just went with Psychology and a minor in Sociology. I've wanted to teach since I was young and hear often from friends and family "You should teach", so I'm going to go with my gut and do it!

I've started the certification process but I'm wondering if there are any books teachers would recommend for me that I could start reading now as well to prepare for the classroom.

Thanks in advance!

cwm11985 · April 2012

Our county gives new teachers a book called "Seven Simple Secrets: What the Best Teachers Know and Do." I personally loved it, its not "text book"ish and was a really easy read. I thought they had great ideas and it was written from a very realistic POV (rather than from the "ideal classroom" POV like lots of books are).

I thought "The First Days of School: How to be an Effective Teacher" was AWFUL. My principal recommended it to us and it sucked.

ks3pink · April 2012

No books, just alcohol. I prefer wine, when I'm not pregnant of course.

TKx2 · April 2012

The First Days of School by Harry Wong is a good start.

TKx2 · April 2012

cwm11985:
Our county gives new teachers a book called "Seven Simple Secrets: What the Best Teachers Know and Do." I personally loved it, its not "text book"ish and was a really easy read. I thought they had great ideas and it was written from a very realistic POV (rather than from the "ideal classroom" POV like lots of books are).

I thought "The First Days of School: How to be an Effective Teacher" was AWFUL. My principal recommended it to us and it sucked.

That's funny, I liked it! Maybe because I was young and still optimistic lol. I wish I was in my classroom; I have a bunch of great books that I can't remember the titles of!

CrazyToast · April 2012

TKx2:
The First Days of School by Harry Wong is a good start.

That is the only book I recommend.

I honestly don't think books help you prepare for what teaching really is.

iluvmylab · April 2012

Honestly, there are no books. Most books assume you have perfect students, caring, involved parents, administrators who actually remember what it was like to teach, endless funds, etc, etc. etc. My best teacher was my 3 month internship, not anything I learned in books.

Good for you for following your gut though. I teach HS and I really enjoy it.

warriormomerin · April 2012

Will you get classroom experience as part of your certification process? I did a program that was a combination of MAEd and state certification, so I was required to do a ton of training in the classroom. Honestly, that's what makes or breaks you; what prepares you the most.

Good luck. Education was my second profession. I'm not in a classroom on a daily basis anymore, but I loved it when I was.

discohiker · April 2012

There is a book that I had to read for my administrative license that was called something like "Case Studies in Education" and it did a good job of putting into words the situations that you will run into with families and communities. I would look for stuff that gives you examples of what life is really like for most of the students in elementary schools. They come home to an empty house, deal with broken families, have issues that you can only imagine. I teach in an urban setting and I think that every new teacher aught to have a glimpse into the lives of the students they teach before they attempt to try to understand those kids in a classroom.

jgoetz1 · April 2012

TKx2:
The First Days of School by Harry Wong is a good start.

This.

waTracy · April 2012

iluvmylab:
Honestly, there are no books. Most books assume you have perfect students, caring, involved parents, administrators who actually remember what it was like to teach, endless funds, etc, etc. etc. My best teacher was my 3 month internship, not anything I learned in books.
Good for you for following your gut though. I teach HS and I really enjoy it.

I agree with this. Plus you will be thrust into articles and philosophies and books and teaching practices by your school. Once you get that degree/certificate, the classes/reading don't stop for you. You truly will be a life long learner! Good luck!

caramia582 · April 2012

TKx2:
The First Days of School by Harry Wong is a good start.

This was recommended to me as well. Honestly, I didn't even finish it. I am not a classroom teacher, so it was irrelevant for me.

esperanza123 · April 2012

jgoetz1:
TKx2:
The First Days of School by Harry Wong is a good start.
This.

It won't help you teach rather set up your classroom and establish expectations. These things are very important. I've been teaching high school for 14 years and it's the only book I recommend to new teachers.

lindsay.lou · April 2012

I agree with the PP who say there isn't really a book that can help you. Are you working currently? I was going to suggest substitute teaching. Getting into the classroom and getting a feel for disciplining kids and managing a room would be the best practice.

I will say, there is ONE book that I found to be very helpful, although it may be more helpful to read AFTER you start teaching, because until you have your own classroom a lot of the stuff can seem irrelevant. I forget the author, but it's called "Teach Like a Champion"

Right now, if I were you, my advice to you would be to try to get as much out of your ed classes as possible. As an undergrad, I thought I knew so much more than my professors and was just trying to finish. I look back now and wish I'd paid more attention and given more effort and time to the curriculum units, reading, and other assignments.