The Accidental Teacher: A Quick-Start Guide for Non-Teachers Asked to Train, Mentor, or Teach

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You've been asked to teach-but you're not a teacher.

Today's workplace expects professionals to share their expertise-by running workshops, mentoring peers, onboarding new hires, or leading knowledge sessions. Yet few people in these roles have formal training in how to teach. The Accidental Teacher is a clear, practical guide for professionals who suddenly find themselves in front of a group and need to help others learn-quickly, effectively, and without the jargon.

This book is designed for anyone asked to train, explain, demonstrate, coach, or guide others at work-whether or not "teacher" or "trainer" appears in their job title. It offers a fast, confidence-building path to becoming more effective in any instructional role.

You'll learn:

• How to plan and structure a session that flows
• How to explain ideas clearly-even under time pressure
• How to use simple tools and techniques to engage others
• How to manage difficult group dynamics, low participation, or vague expectations
• How to build your own toolkit for professional teaching, mentoring, or coaching-even without formal training

Written by Dr. Hayo Reinders, an internationally respected Professor of Education and the author of 34 books on learning and teaching, this guide distills decades of research and frontline experience into actionable advice. It's designed for busy professionals who need results-not theory overload.

If you've ever been told, "Can you just show the team how you do that?"-this book is for you.

Straightforward, accessible, and grounded in best practice, The Accidental Teacher gives you the tools to teach with confidence-even when you didn't sign up for the job.