A unique introduction to education text designed to help pre-service teachers identify and confirm certification levels for their future careers in teaching. The book focuses on 12 students, as well as teachers and administrators, using them as examples in the opening chapters as well as throughout the book. Along with the book comes a DVD that is also unique in that it includes classroom footage of the focus students and teachers featured in the text. The overall theme of the book is “how are the children?” This serves as a reminder that all teachers must always remember to think of the student first.
The text brings teaching to life by taking the reader into a real school with real teachers and students. All but one chapter begins with a Teaching in Focus feature that focuses on one of the ten-featured teachers and an experience from their classroom that fits with the content of the chapter. Rural, suburban, and urban schools are represented to help teaching students decide if teaching is right for them, what kind of teacher they want to be, and what age students they would like to teach.
Some of the other pedagogical features in the book include:
Teacher’s Days, Delights, and Dilemmas–In each chapter a state Teacher of the Year writes about experiences and lessons learned related to the chapter content.
Letter to the Editor (Chapters 1-7, and 10-12)–a public response to a relevant issue in education in the form of a letter help readers decide what their teacher identities might be.
In the News–this feature links ABC News footage on the DVD of national issues and gives opportunities to reflect on the impact of the content on teachers, classrooms, and students.
A scales icon marks Balance Margin Notes in each chapter.
What Role Will Diversity Play in My Teaching Identity?–these boxes appear at the end of every chapter.
Professional Practice features also appear at the end of every chapter to help students apply the chapter content to what they need to do to become a professional educator.
Read what reviewers have to say. . . .
"The strength is that no doubt the author's heart lies in this subject matter. The material is fresh, emotional, and honest. This was especially true in the sections dealing with exceptionality. I absolutely loved the vignette/poem about the student with Down syndrome. Amazing!"
Corey M. Hall, Florida Community College, Jacksonville
“The book provides the reader with a superb bridge between theory and practice. It is very clear that the author considered a balanced approach between providing students with a rich and straightforward content and providing them with real life scenarios and reflective activities. The book’s presentation is unique in the way it balances theory and practice.”
Adel Al-Bataineh, Illinois State University
“The author effectively involves the reader with the text. She does this with the tone of writing as well as with the pedagogical features throughout the chapter. There is good variety among the features, which call for different types of thinking on the part of the student. The end of chapter activities are particularly interesting.”
Anna Lowe, Loyola University Chicago
