Preparing to Teach in Elementary Classrooms

Preparing to Teach in Elementary Classrooms: An Introduction to Becoming an Effective Childhood Educator equips readers with the knowledge and skillsets they need to enter the school setting and make a meaningful difference in their students' lives. Part I, "Who We Are," underscores the idea that teachers' ideas, opinions, and perspectives about their students matter. It helps readers consider who they are now and who they will be in the future for their students. Part 2, "Who We Teach," explores the ways in which students are uniquely diverse and how teachers can develop knowledge and skills to support their students' cultures, strengths, needs, and who they are, individually and socially. Part 3, "Where We Teach," offers insight into different types of school settings and the importance of understanding the tone and climate of each. Part 4, "How We Teach," introduces strengths-based, whole-child approaches to teaching. In Part 5, "What We Teach," readers learn how to promote students' learning in areas of social justice and social and emotional learning. The final part, "Why We Teach (And Why We Stay)," discusses the vital role of teachers as advocates for their students and their learning experiences. Throughout the text, personal letters from the author to the reader, real-world stories from the classroom, dos and don'ts charts, and discussion prompts support the overall learning experience. Preparing to Teach in Elementary Classrooms is an exemplary resource for courses and programs in elementary education.