Pursuing a teaching career is noble, rewarding, and challenging. Yet, few books focus on the process of becoming an educator, with the majority of available education resources geared towards in-service teachers, especially first-year teachers. This book, Pathway to Teaching, uses a holistic approach to demystify the journey of becoming an educator. This resourceful guide provides valuable and straightforward strategies to the aspiring teachers at each crucial stage: teacher training, student teaching, and finding a job. Themes of differentiation, networking, and organization are interwoven throughout the book and aim to better prepare the soon-to-be teacher at each step. The strategies address a range of pressing topics for teacher candidates that include preparing for the edTPA - a nationwide teacher assessment - to providing classroom management techniques during student teaching to ideas on self-care. Pathway to Teaching also supports the aspiring teachers in finding their dream teaching job through strategies on building a professional network to preparing for that all-important job interview. In addition, several contributors - a teacher, an administrator, an university field supervisor, and a career counselor - share their insightful perspectives and advice to the readers. The curated strategies and advice will undoubtedly help guide any aspiring teacher in achieving their career and professional goals.
Table of Contents Foreword Preface Acknowledgements Introduction Section 1: Leverage Your Teacher Education Training Chapter 1. Understanding the Teaching Process Building a Foundation for Knowledge Applying Your Knowledge Reflection on Continual Improvement Chapter 2. Save and Organize Information with Purpose Create Your Organization Structure Add Helpful Notes Chapter 3. Organize Your Reading Chapter 4. Journal to Reflect and Organize Your Thoughts Sample Guiding Questions Sample Journal Entry Chapter 5. Organize for the edTPA Prepare with the End in Mind Chapter 6. Prioritize Self-Care Ditch Perfectionism Set Boundaries Form Healthy Habits Continue You Suggested Reading Chapter 7. A Novice Teacher's Perspective Chapter 8. Differentiate Yourself Through Education Chapter 9. Become An Expert on a Particular Concept Chapter 10. Address your Growth Areas Examples in How to Become More Competent in your Subject Matter Examples to Develop a Stronger Pedagogy Chapter 11. Benefit from Networking in Schools Chapter 12. Get Facetime with Administrators Chapter 13. Network Within Your Teacher Education Program Chapter 14. Consider Everyone Part of Your Network Chapter 15. Organize Your Contacts Section 2: Excel at Student Teaching Chapter 16. Develop Your Philosophy and Core Values What is an Education Philosophy Statement? Writing an Education Philosophy Statement Example 1 of an Education Philosophy Statement Example 2 of an Education Philosophy Statement Chapter 17. Proclaim Your Student Teaching Goals How to Set Effective Goals Proclaim Your Goals Evaluate Your Effectiveness Celebrate Your Growth Chapter 18. Research the Community, School, and Students Learn about the Students and School Develop Community Awareness Chapter 19. Keep Abreast of Your Field Resources and Organizations Chapter 20. Communicate Early with Your Cooperating Teacher Chapter 21. Working with Your Cooperating Teacher Chapter 22. A Cooperating Teacher's Perspective Chapter 23. Tackling the edTPA Know Your Students Preparing for Videotaping Chapter 24. University Field Supervisor Perspective Chapter 25. Get Your Feet Wet Early On Chapter 26. Learn Names Quickly Master Pronunciations Embrace the Seating Chart Practice Saying Names Early and Often Chapter 27. Be Outstanding Inside and Outside of the Classroom Chapter 28. Use Classroom Management to Your Advantage Use Bell Work Try a Question and Concern Box Managing the Paperwork Maximize Class Time Be Consistent Develop Withitness Master the Day-to-Day Tasks Chapter 29. Know Yourself When It Comes to Discipline Reflect on Your Discipline Philosophy Know the School Rules, Policies, and Procedures Suggested Reading Chapter 30. Think Customer Service Competence Responsiveness Friendliness Listening Proactiveness Chapter 31. Build Your Touchstone Identify Areas of Improvement Establish a Baseline Illustrative Example Build your Touchstone Communicating your Touchstone Chapter 32. How to Approach the edTPA Writing Chapter 33. Thank Your Network Section 3: Find Your Ideal Teacher Job Chapter 34. Continue to Shine After Student Teaching Seek Professional Development Substitute Teach or Coach Volunteer Chapter 35. Craft an Effective Resume Personal Contact Information Objective Education and Certification Experience Additional Resume Advice Chapter 36. A Career Counselor's Perspective Chapter 37. Ask (The Right Person) For Help on Your Resume Chapter 38. Learn from Your Work Experience Chapter 39. Be Aware of the Hiring Timeframe March and April May and June July August and early September Chapter 40. Jumpstart your Job Search Chapter 41. Attend Education Career Fairs and District Open Houses Chapter 42. Draw From Your Network Chapter 43. Track Your Job Search Chapter 44. Leverage Your Research Chapter 45. Framing your Response to Interview Questions Understand the Question (Step 1) State your Philosophy/Values (Step 2) Describe Pedagogical Approaches (Step 3) Explain the Benefits (Step 4) Provide a Real-life Example (Step 5) Chapter 46. Practice Interview Questions Suggested website Chapter 47. Control the Interview Process Slow Down Prepare for Phone Interviews Make the Ask Ask a Thoughtful Question Follow-up Immediately Handling the Phone Call Chapter 48. Go for a Trial Run Chapter 49. Dress to Impress Accessories, Piercings, and Tattoos Chapter 50. Hit a Homerun Chapter 51. A Principal's Perspective Appendix About the Author
