"This book has a very good handle on the specifics of what an inexperienced teacher might encounter. It is clearly written and easy to understand." Ken Klopack, Art Educator Funston Elementary School Chicago, IL For new teachers, this book is a "Can′t Miss!" Let it be your coach during your whole first year of teaching. This easy-to-use, step-by-step guide takes you through everything you need to know in your first days, weeks, and months as a new teacher, from developing your resume for your first job to creating your teaching persona once you are in the classroom. Chapters cover diverse learners, classroom organization and management, curriculum and instruction, lesson planning, grading systems, professional development, and more. Practical and specific advice helps you build the right classroom environment, create the "essential file folders," make a curriculum calendar, and even find the right wall art! The First Days of Class provides all the tools of the trade for new, substitute, returning, and emergency credential teachers, including: Short, easy to reference sections within each chapter Tip boxes at the end of every chapter Classroom material samples, including "Our Classroom Rules" Resources that include "A Teacher′s Ten Commandments," as well as Recommended Reading and Educational Websites About the Author: Rebecca Lynn Wilke, Ed.D., university professor, and educational and leadership consultant, has worked with children and adults in public and private school settings for over twenty years. She and her husband, Dr. Steve Wilke, also operate Leadon, Inc., providing corporate leaders pre-employment assessment, personal coaching, group training, and leadership evaluations. Dr. Wilke is a graduate of the University of Southern California where she specialized in Educational Leadership and Multicultural Education.