The First Years Matter

Carol Pelletier Radford is the founder of Mentoring in Action, an organization dedicated to the success of novice teachers and their mentors. Before she established her own organization to support mentors and new teachers, she was a veteran elementary school teacher and a teacher preparation leader. Carol is the author of Corwin's bestselling books Mentoring in Action: Guiding, Sharing, and Reflecting With Novice Teachers and The First Years Matter: Becoming an Effective Teacher.Carol received her Education Doctorate from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education, where she focused her studies on mentoring and teacher leadership. She is also a certified yoga teacher who practices meditation and shares mindfulness strategies with educators through her online courses and website. Her podcast Teaching With Light features the stories of teachers and inspirational leaders. Her next passion project is the creation of a Teacher Legacy Network, where retired teachers can share their wisdom with the next generation of teachers.You can learn more about Carol, find free resources, videos, meditations, courses, and all of her books at mentoringinaction.com/.Twitter: @MentorinActionFacebook: @MentoringinAction4TeachersInstagram: @cpradford

Use this updated resource to prepare for your journey into teachingThis newly revised and updated 2nd edition of The First Years Matter provides key actions steps and a flexible twelve-month curriculum - including July for reflection and planning - to help you proactively prepare for your first few years in the classroom. Maximize your effectiveness in the classroom as you: Apply mentoring lessons to differentiate instructionIntegrate student voicePrepare for teacher observations and standardized testingGather evidence to document your progressThis updated version includes a robust companion website featuring videos, downloadable forms, and a journal for reflection.Use with Mentoring in Action, the companion guide for mentors!

Foreword: Peter M. DeWittPrefaceAcknowledgementsAbout the AuthorIntroductionPart I Beginning Your Journey Into TeachingThe Purpose of Induction and MentoringSustainable MentoringWhat is Mentoring in Action?Building a Relationship With Your MentorPurposeful Mentoring ConversationsPart II Month-by-Month Mentoring: Being Mentored in ActionWhy Do We Need a Mentoring Curriculum?A Month-by-Month Cycle for MentoringThe Transformation of a TeacherAugust Orientation to the School and Community: Resources and ValuesSeptember Beginning the School Year Successfully: Creating a Community of Learners in the ClassroomOctober Teaching For Understanding: Planning and Delivering Effective InstructionNovember Assessing Diverse Learners: How Do Teachers Know Students Have Learned?December Maintaining Balance: Teaching and Keeping the Students InterestedJanuary Beginning a New Calendar Year: Looking Back and Moving ForwardFebruary Engaging Students in the Curriculum: Focus on Content through Active InquiryMarch With Your Mentor: Building a Trusting RelationshipApril Standards: Creating Meaningful Standards-Based Learning Experiences for StudentsMay Assessing Students' Progress: High-Stakes Tests and Teacher AssessmentJune Completing the Year: Paperwork, Relationships, and Closing a RoomJuly Final Reflection and Planning For Next Year: Retreat, Reflect, Review