Now, more than ever, schools need to develop, support, and retain excellent teachers.
With the growing teacher shortage, leaders need to know how to support new teachers and keep them in the profession. In Building a Strong Foundation, experienced principal Michelle Hope lays out specific strategies and solutions that school leaders can use to help teachers build critical skills and confidence during their first five years in the classroom.
The first step is to create a welcoming, emotionally safe culture with support systems, and the book provides advice for building trust and establishing operational, relational, and instructional conditions to set teachers up for success. With that strong foundation in place, leaders can focus on providing professional development, modeling, and coaching related to the six key areas of practice where new and novice teachers tend to need the most support:
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Putting relationships first
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Managing classrooms effectively
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Encouraging family involvement
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Communicating and maintaining high academic expectations
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Dr. Hope's guidance is actionable, focused, and informed by years of experience and research. When leaders help establish expectations and offer targeted training and mentorship, teachers will quickly develop the confidence and skills they need to stay and thrive in the profession.
Table of contents
Part 1. Creating Conditions for New-Teacher Success
Chapter 2. Creating the Systems and Structures That Give New Teachers a Strong Start
Part 2. The Big 6: Developing the Critical Practices That Ensure Early Success
Chapter 3. Relationships First
Chapter 4. Effective Classroom Management
Chapter 5. Helping Teachers Create Conditions for Family Engagement
Chapter 6. Supporting Teachers in Planning Engaging Lessons
Chapter 7. Communicating the Importance of High Academic Expectations
Chapter 8. Equity in Action