You Can Do This: Hope And Help For New Teachers

Teaching is a hard job—there’s no denying it. From learning how to manage a class full of hormonal students, to developing productive relationships with fellow teachers, administrators, and parents, to designing engaging lesson plans that will meet ever-increasing levels of accountability, the profession can be stressful. Add to this low pay and a lack of prestige, and it makes for one challenging career.

At the same time, there is no profession more rewarding than teaching. Literally every day, a teacher has the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of young people, and to influence the future like few others can. Veteran teachers have been in the job long enough to see how their teaching has made a difference in the lives of former students. But for new teachers, such rewards are too far off—it’s hard work with very little payoff. How can a new teacher stay energized and focused on what’s important?

Reading You Can Do This by bestselling author and popular presenter Robyn Jackson is like sitting down to dinner with a mentor who believes in you, who knows enough about teaching to give you great advice, and who wants you to succeed. Robyn reminds new teachers why they’re in this profession—what kids need from them—and coaches them on avoiding pitfalls and making the most of their teaching careers. This beautifully packaged book makes an ideal gift for new teachers.

ROBYN R. JACKSON, PHD, a former classroom teacher and school administrator, is founder and CEO of MindSteps, Inc., an independent provider of workshops, coaching, consulting, and resources for teachers. She is the author of the bestseller Never Work Harder Than Your Students and Other Principles of Great Teaching and a nationally recognized presenter and consultant who has been featured in the Washington Post, a PBS/Annenberg television series, and Lifetime Television’s Lifetime Live.