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Uncommon Sense for New Teachers

A Good Beginning Is Half the Work

Ryan A. Donlan

Uncommon Sense for New Teachers: A Good Beginning is Half the Work is a uniquely written resource for any preservice or new teacher moving into the profession of education. Noted by its author as “the book to read, before deciding what other books to read,” it offers deft perspective on the pressing issues weighing heavily on the minds and hearts of new teachers, including what teachers don’t learn before they start, but should. Written in short-read sections within each unit—relevant topics can be read in any order—each serves as the whisper in one’s head about what one might think, and how to act uncommonly when the next situation arises each day. This book supercharges new teachers, as they apply what they discover in their own way, in any grade, content area, or community.

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  • Author
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  • TOC
  • Reviews
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Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Pages: 262 • Trim: 6¾ x 9½
978-1-4758-7115-9 • Hardback • September 2024 • $120.00 • (£92.00)
978-1-4758-7116-6 • Paperback • September 2024 • $47.00 • (£36.00)
978-1-4758-7117-3 • eBook • September 2024 • $44.50 • (£35.00)
Subjects: Education / Decision-Making & Problem Solving, Education / Teaching / Subjects / General, Education / Professional Development

Ryan A. Donlan lives life where passion and purpose connect, serving as a lifelong teacher and leader equipping professional educators, human service professionals, and organizational administrators with the skills necessary to impact positively the lives of others. He serves as Professor of Educational Leadership at Indiana State University, travels extensively with his training, speaking, and authoring, and is most aptly defined as a humble and proud husband and father, with wife Wendy, son Sean, and daughter Katelyn, who keep him grounded and focused on his next day’s best service, to others and self.

Acknowledgments

Preface

Introduction

Unit 1: Your Choice of Teaching

1 A “Thank You” in Advance

2 Career Shopping

3 The New Way “You Matter”

4 Extra-Curricular Horsepower: Never-Growing-Up or Always-the-Adult

5 Your Teaching Life

Unit 2: Your Professional Preparation

6 Building Competence and Confidence

7 Things to Borrow; Things to Not

8 Student Brain Surgery

9 Special Education for All Educators

10 Finding the Pearl

Unit 3: Your Classroom

11 Your Domain; Your Show

12 Purpose, Protocol, and Predictability

13 Daily Dignity through Interaction Safety

14 Environmental Gifts for Students

15 Room Décor and Appeal: A Gathering Place

Unit 4: Your Teaching

16 Talent Scouting and Cast Management

17 Differentiated Instruction, Defined

18 Delightfully Different Differentiation

19 Maintaining Classroom Control and Order

20 Organizational Effectiveness through Student Responsibility

Unit 5: Your Students

21 What Students Are Not

22 Who Students Are

23 The Name Game

24 Bringing Their Best Self

25 Discipline as a Teachable Moment

Unit 6: Your Difference Making

26 All Other Duties As Assigned

27 What’s Really Going On

28 The Secret Solution

29 Elder-like Etiquette

30 Doing Difference Differently

Unit 7: Your Workload

31 Work/Life Imbalance

32 The Urgent, the Important, the Both, and the Neither

33 Many Hands Make Light Work

34 Avoiding the Guilt Trip

35 Being Self-ful

Unit 8: Your Colleagues

36 Cast of Characters

37 When Your Mentor Is Assigned

38 Ways to Coteach Ways to Not

39 When Colleagues Resist New Things

40 Work Friends

Unit 9: Your Superpowers

41 Hero Making for Parents

42 First-Exchange Theory: The Power of the Greeting

43 Thinking on the Fly When Something Needs to Change

44 The Gift of Profanity: Reading Between the F’s

45 Favoring Favorable Feedback

Unit 10: By Special Request

46 Classroom Behavioral Management

47 Relationship Building

48 Lesson Plans that Check All the Boxes

49 Driving School Data: From A to Z

50 From Tools to Techniques

Unit 11: Your Unfinished Business

51 Going Back to School

52 Starting Over, Undefeated

Conclusion

About the Author

"Important, insightful, entertaining, and informative. An essential read for new and veteran teachers!"


— Annette Breaux, author of 101 Answers for New Teachers and Their Mentors


“Reading Uncommon Sense for New Teachers is like having a heartfelt conversation with a seasoned teacher who shares their wisdom, experience, and encouragement. Its value extends beyond just the novice; even veteran teachers will find inspiration and important reminders. A must-read for any educator committed to the art of teaching.”


— Shelly Wilfong, lead author of Ensuring Teachers Matter: Where to Focus First So Students Matter Most


Uncommon Sense for New Teachers

A Good Beginning Is Half the Work

Cover Image
Hardback
Paperback
eBook
Summary
Summary
  • Uncommon Sense for New Teachers: A Good Beginning is Half the Work is a uniquely written resource for any preservice or new teacher moving into the profession of education. Noted by its author as “the book to read, before deciding what other books to read,” it offers deft perspective on the pressing issues weighing heavily on the minds and hearts of new teachers, including what teachers don’t learn before they start, but should. Written in short-read sections within each unit—relevant topics can be read in any order—each serves as the whisper in one’s head about what one might think, and how to act uncommonly when the next situation arises each day. This book supercharges new teachers, as they apply what they discover in their own way, in any grade, content area, or community.

Details
Details
  • Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
    Pages: 262 • Trim: 6¾ x 9½
    978-1-4758-7115-9 • Hardback • September 2024 • $120.00 • (£92.00)
    978-1-4758-7116-6 • Paperback • September 2024 • $47.00 • (£36.00)
    978-1-4758-7117-3 • eBook • September 2024 • $44.50 • (£35.00)
    Subjects: Education / Decision-Making & Problem Solving, Education / Teaching / Subjects / General, Education / Professional Development
Author
Author
  • Ryan A. Donlan lives life where passion and purpose connect, serving as a lifelong teacher and leader equipping professional educators, human service professionals, and organizational administrators with the skills necessary to impact positively the lives of others. He serves as Professor of Educational Leadership at Indiana State University, travels extensively with his training, speaking, and authoring, and is most aptly defined as a humble and proud husband and father, with wife Wendy, son Sean, and daughter Katelyn, who keep him grounded and focused on his next day’s best service, to others and self.

Table of Contents
Table of Contents
  • Acknowledgments

    Preface

    Introduction

    Unit 1: Your Choice of Teaching

    1 A “Thank You” in Advance

    2 Career Shopping

    3 The New Way “You Matter”

    4 Extra-Curricular Horsepower: Never-Growing-Up or Always-the-Adult

    5 Your Teaching Life

    Unit 2: Your Professional Preparation

    6 Building Competence and Confidence

    7 Things to Borrow; Things to Not

    8 Student Brain Surgery

    9 Special Education for All Educators

    10 Finding the Pearl

    Unit 3: Your Classroom

    11 Your Domain; Your Show

    12 Purpose, Protocol, and Predictability

    13 Daily Dignity through Interaction Safety

    14 Environmental Gifts for Students

    15 Room Décor and Appeal: A Gathering Place

    Unit 4: Your Teaching

    16 Talent Scouting and Cast Management

    17 Differentiated Instruction, Defined

    18 Delightfully Different Differentiation

    19 Maintaining Classroom Control and Order

    20 Organizational Effectiveness through Student Responsibility

    Unit 5: Your Students

    21 What Students Are Not

    22 Who Students Are

    23 The Name Game

    24 Bringing Their Best Self

    25 Discipline as a Teachable Moment

    Unit 6: Your Difference Making

    26 All Other Duties As Assigned

    27 What’s Really Going On

    28 The Secret Solution

    29 Elder-like Etiquette

    30 Doing Difference Differently

    Unit 7: Your Workload

    31 Work/Life Imbalance

    32 The Urgent, the Important, the Both, and the Neither

    33 Many Hands Make Light Work

    34 Avoiding the Guilt Trip

    35 Being Self-ful

    Unit 8: Your Colleagues

    36 Cast of Characters

    37 When Your Mentor Is Assigned

    38 Ways to Coteach Ways to Not

    39 When Colleagues Resist New Things

    40 Work Friends

    Unit 9: Your Superpowers

    41 Hero Making for Parents

    42 First-Exchange Theory: The Power of the Greeting

    43 Thinking on the Fly When Something Needs to Change

    44 The Gift of Profanity: Reading Between the F’s

    45 Favoring Favorable Feedback

    Unit 10: By Special Request

    46 Classroom Behavioral Management

    47 Relationship Building

    48 Lesson Plans that Check All the Boxes

    49 Driving School Data: From A to Z

    50 From Tools to Techniques

    Unit 11: Your Unfinished Business

    51 Going Back to School

    52 Starting Over, Undefeated

    Conclusion

    About the Author

Reviews
Reviews
  • "Important, insightful, entertaining, and informative. An essential read for new and veteran teachers!"


    — Annette Breaux, author of 101 Answers for New Teachers and Their Mentors


    “Reading Uncommon Sense for New Teachers is like having a heartfelt conversation with a seasoned teacher who shares their wisdom, experience, and encouragement. Its value extends beyond just the novice; even veteran teachers will find inspiration and important reminders. A must-read for any educator committed to the art of teaching.”


    — Shelly Wilfong, lead author of Ensuring Teachers Matter: Where to Focus First So Students Matter Most


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