New Teacher Book was Just What I Needed

I really appreciate your straightforward book.


I hadn't found anything else like it on the web.


You see, I homeschooled my children for 16 years and when they went to college, I needed a job.


My degree is in Biology. I thought about going into teaching while in college, but chose medical research instead.


The only job available was a part time secretarial position in the office of a small private school.


I was there the day the 1st/2nd grade teacher quit. That was a Friday and I started on Monday.


Talk about a busy weekend!


I felt like I was just in survival mode for the first 2 months. The previous teacher was awful in more ways than one. I felt like I was sent there to teach those children how to read, but soon realized there had been very little 'real' learning of any kind going on in that room.


I feel like I inherited a mess and did the best I could.


Now, I'm beginning a new year in MY classroom.


Half of the new small class probably won't remember the former teacher.


I don't have much problem actually 'teaching' the children, but my organizational skills can be lacking at times. :-)


I REALLY appreciate the idea of planning what they need to know the first day, the first week and the first month. I appreciate seeing IN PRINT that the first week is a training period where they learn the routine and what's expected of them, learning HOW to be a student in this classroom.


I know I'm not the typical person to read your book, but it's been a help and I wanted you to know it.