New Teacher Mindset
Practical and Innovative Strategies to Be Different from Day One
1. Edition June 2024
272 Pages, Softcover
Practical Approach Book
A refreshing and hopeful guide to help new and veteran teachers thrive in our ever-changing world
New Teacher Mindset is all about creating successful systems, practices, and protocols that make sense for today's teachers. To be the best teacher you can be, you need to understand how new technologies and a changing societal landscape have altered the needs of students--and how to modify your teaching approach accordingly. This book gives you a fresh take on topics like classroom management, project-based learning, group collaboration, increasing buy-in, and partnering with parents. The book is research-backed and provides concrete practices that have proven effective in real world classrooms. Each chapter includes a story to illustrate the topic of the chapter, followed by strategies, research, and practical activities that you can implement immediately to refresh your mindset and your classroom.
* Get fresh, modern ideas for elevating your classroom and teaching style
* Build on traditional teaching practices with new techniques designed for today's fast-paced, tech-driven world
* Use practical activities and reader reflection questions to transform your practice right away
* Learn how to revitalize your teaching by focusing on the classroom as a whole, the individual student, and the teacher
This is an invaluable resource for K-12 educators and others working in the K-12 setting, all of whom need to learn to adapt and adjust to the constant shifting of the outside world. New Teacher Mindset is a roadmap for doing just that.
Chapter 1 Building Relationships from Day One 1
Chapter 2 Proactive Classroom Management: A Preventative Approach to Behavioral Issues 15
Chapter 3 Nurturing an Ecosystem Students Actually Want to Learn In 29
Chapter 4 Classroom Culture and Unifying Your Students 49
Chapter 5 Classroom Rituals for Self-Directed Students 61
Chapter 6 Classroom Space: Designing with Empathy and Intentionality 77
Chapter 7 Organization: Designing Systems to Avoid the Chaos 91
Chapter 8 The Counterintuitive Art of Student Engagement 101
Chapter 9 Make Learning Authentic 125
Chapter 10 Navigating the Constantly Evolving Technological Landscape 145
Chapter 11 Differentiated Instruction for Every Student 159
Chapter 12 Assessment Is More Than Grades 175
Chapter 13 You're Not a Superhero (And That's a Good Thing) 193
Chapter 14 Self-Care: Teacher Care Is Student Care 209
Chapter 15 The Public Side of Teaching 227
Conclusion 243
Acknowledgments 247
About the Authors 249
Index 251
--Katie Novak, Ed.D., author of In Support of Students: A Leader's Guide to Equitable MTSS
"I have had the privilege of speaking at events with both John and Trevor. They have laid out a practical and real approach to what educators can strive to be and the impact they would like to have. This book is filled with affirmations and definitive calls to action going beyond the theoretical and wishful thinking. This book would be very useful for any new teacher on day one and any veteran teacher on day 1,000 and beyond."
--Ken Shelton, International Keynote Speaker, Designer, and Consultant
"New Teacher Mindset is a comprehensive guide to fostering joy, empathy, and creativity in the classroom. Whether you're just starting out or a seasoned professional, this book will challenge you to embrace a growth mindset and continuously improve your craft. Through their honest accounts of challenges and mistakes, Trevor and John offer invaluable lessons that help educators avoid pitfalls and continuously improve their teaching practice."
--Tony Vincent, Teacher and Education Presenter
"Trevor and John share intentional ways to make the journey of each school year impactful. From how to establish, maintain, and restore relationships, to how to create a foundation for mindset transformation, reading this book will encourage and equip you to help your students thrive as thinkers, explorers, and people."
--Shannon Anderson, Educator and Author of Mindset Power: A Kid's Guide to Growing Better Every Day
"Trevor and John are literally THE experts on teachers, engagement, innovation, creativity and what to do in order to become more effective and happy in the classroom. They offer practical, funny, and specific ideas to make a broad impact. Teachers will fall in love with and use this resource for years to come!"
--Adam Welcome, International Keynote Speaker, Author, Educator, and Host of the The NAESP Principal Podcast
John Spencer is a former middle school teacher and current professor at George Fox University. He hosts The Creative Classroom Podcast, has written four books, and developed LAUNCH Cycle, a design thinking framework for K-12 students. A popular speaker, Spencer has presented at venues around the world, including the White House.
