Teacher Training Reviews

The New Teacher's Handbook

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2003-04-06

FINALLY! Here is a book I can only hope will allow new teachers to remain in the field without constantly asking, "Why don't they teach the realities of teaching in College?" or "Why didn't my college coursework and training include real life and not one in a PERFECT WORLD?" After completing the four years of college in order to take that first step into one's own classroom, it is so frustrating and defeating to realize that the picture painted in the job preparation is actually one of an idealistic and fictional world full of sunshine and rainbows of satisfaction. This book should be a required text for all student teachers beginning their experience in the classroom.

If only this book had been written 28 years ago when my career began! It certainly could have helped me to avoid some of the hard knocks of the realities of experience. One of the topics included in this book is the unspoken politics of the professional undefined hierarchy within the school, which I've never before seen addressed. The advice suggested for newcomers into the field can definitely allow for more positive personal relations and a less fearful, self-doubting or threatening working environment. This book contains answers and suggested solutions to so many real problem situations within the classroom setting as well as in the whole school environment.

Most teachers don't even realize they are not yet asking themselves the right questions when self assessing their reasons for the stress and anxieties they feel as they prepare to go to school each day. By the time one even recognizes and accepts that physical problems may exist as a result of the emotional traumas and strains of the job, the solutions are too far out of their energy level to attain. I have witnessed this situation countless times and it is often too late for the pieces to be put back together as one goes down for the third time......with defeat and resignation in hand.

If only The New Teacher's Handbook had been available to the hundreds of excellent and qualified professionals who chose to leave the profession because they felt they had no way to find solutions and alternative strategies and practices to deal with the challenges, troubles, stress and unspoken negatives of the profession.

Thank you, Yvonne Bender, for possibly saving the profession of so many new teachers who are just about to step over that glorified idealistic threshold into the den of reality. With your book as a resource and hopefully the advice and expertise of others who already have learned the HARD way to stay happy, satisfied and sane in the profession, the teaching force will have a much better chance of continuing to grow and maintain its qualified newcomers.

The New Teacher's Handbook

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2003-04-06

FINALLY! Here is a book I can only hope will allow new teachers to remain in the field without constantly asking, "Why don't they teach the realities of teaching in College?" or "Why didn't my college coursework and training include real life and not one in a PERFECT WORLD?" After completing the four years of college in order to take that first step into one's own classroom, it is so frustrating and defeating to realize that the picture painted in the job preparation is actually one of an idealistic and fictional world full of sunshine and rainbows of satisfaction. This book should be a required text for all student teachers beginning their experience in the classroom.

If only this book had been written 28 years ago when my career began! It certainly could have helped me to avoid some of the hard knocks of the realities of experience. One of the topics included in this book is the unspoken politics of the professional undefined hierarchy within the school, which I've never before seen addressed. The advice suggested for newcomers into the field can definitely allow for more positive personal relations and a less fearful, self-doubting or threatening working environment. This book contains answers and suggested solutions to so many real problem situations within the classroom setting as well as in the whole school environment.

Most teachers don't even realize they are not yet asking themselves the right questions when self assessing their reasons for the stress and anxieties they feel as they prepare to go to school each day. By the time one even recognizes and accepts that physical problems may exist as a result of the emotional traumas and strains of the job, the solutions are too far out of their energy level to attain. I have witnessed this situation countless times and it is often too late for the pieces to be put back together as one goes down for the third time......with defeat and resignation in hand.

If only The New Teacher's Handbook had been available to the hundreds of excellent and qualified professionals who chose to leave the profession because they felt they had no way to find solutions and alternative strategies and practices to deal with the challenges, troubles, stress and unspoken negatives of the profession.

Thank you, Yvonne Bender, for possibly saving the profession of so many new teachers who are just about to step over that glorified idealistic threshold into the den of reality. With your book as a resource and hopefully the advice and expertise of others who already have learned the HARD way to stay happy, satisfied and sane in the profession, the teaching force will have a much better chance of continuing to grow and maintain its qualified newcomers.

Excellent Book for New Teachers

Helpful Votes: 5 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2003-09-19

The New Teacher's Handbook by Yvonne Bender is a well written and helpful book. Although I'm no longer a first year teacher, my experiences with teaching lead me to agree with her advice in almost every case. I'm recommending this book to my student teachers with the following suggestion: This book is meant to be read.
Although thumbing through and reading headings, examples, and scenarios can be helpful, it is well worth the time to read The New Teacher's Handbook completely. It is written with humor and sensitivity toward beginning teaching problems and filled with useful teaching strategies. It does not insult young teachers as it is not full of pictures, platitudes, and large type. Charts and forms are informative and useful. It is certain to be a reference for more than the first years of teaching. I plan to keep and refer to my copy for a long time.

FINALLY!

Helpful Votes: 8 out of 8 total.
Review Date: 2003-04-06

FINALLY! Here is a book I can only hope will allow new teachers to remain in the field without constantly asking, "Why don't they teach the realities of teaching in College?" or "Why didn't my college coursework and training include real life and not one in a PERFECT WORLD?" After completing the four years of college in order to take that first step into one's own classroom, it is so frustrating and defeating to realize that the picture painted in the job preparation is actually one of an idealistic and fictional world full of sunshine and rainbows of satisfaction. This book should be a required text for all student teachers beginning their experience in the classroom.

If only this book had been written 28 years ago when my career began! It certainly could have helped me to avoid some of the hard knocks of the realities of experience. One of the topics included in this book is the unspoken politics of the professional undefined hierarchy within the school, which I've never before seen addressed. The advice suggested for newcomers into the field can definitely allow for more positive personal relations and a less fearful, self-doubting or threatening working environment. This book contains answers and suggested solutions to so many real problem situations within the classroom setting as well as in the whole school environment.

Most teachers don't even realize they are not yet asking themselves the right questions when self assessing their reasons for the stress and anxieties they feel as they prepare to go to school each day. By the time one even recognizes and accepts that physical problems may exist as a result of the emotional traumas and strains of the job, the solutions are too far out of their energy level to attain. I have witnessed this situation countless times and it is often too late for the pieces to be put back together as one goes down for the third time......with defeat and resignation in hand.

If only The New Teacher's Handbook had been available to the hundreds of excellent and qualified professionals who chose to leave the profession because they felt they had no way to find solutions and alternative strategies and practices to deal with the challenges, troubles, stress and unspoken negatives of the profession.

Thank you, Yvonne Bender, for possibly saving the profession of so many new teachers who are just about to step over that glorified idealistic threshold into the den of reality. With your book as a resource and hopefully the advice and expertise of others who already have learned the HARD way to stay happy, satisfied and sane in the profession, the teaching force will have a much better chance of continuing to grow and maintain its qualified newcomers.

Step-by-step instruction of designing such a growth plan.

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-11-03

Jodi Peine's THE EDUCATOR'S PROFESSIONAL GROWTH PLAN: A PROCESS FOR DEVELOPING STAFF AND IMPROVING INSTRUCTION, 2ND EDITION provides teachers with methods for building professional collaborations to benefit students. Administrators and staff developers receive step-by-step instruction of designing such a growth plan.

Errors in 10th edition

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-04

I have to agree with the above review for the 10th edition- I have found several errors in the book! Not good when I need to brush up on my math. The review sections were helpful but errors are unacceptable.

Worth the money and time

Helpful Votes: 14 out of 14 total.
Review Date: 2005-07-28

I enjoyed the straight forward attitude that the author took in presenting a synopis of the PRAXIS. The tests that were in the book were more difficult than the actual test but that just made me all the more prepared. I would definitely recommend this as a good preparation for the PRAXIS.

No One Proof-Read This Thing

Helpful Votes: 4 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2007-02-21

The skills sections arent bad for reminding you of some simple things you need to know. But, most poepel buy these books for practice exams and these ones were TERRIBLE! I have only gone through the very first Diagnostic test and already 4 of the supposedly 8 answers I got wrong in the math section were errors on the part of the book. For example. Hopefully you see what is wrong with this statement made by the book. "The answer is 700, becuse: 35 X 20 X 10 = 700. 7000 was in the answer options, but apparently the dumbies who wrote this book think that it wasn't correct.

I'm not even motivated to check do the other 3 or 4 practice exams now, which basically make up the entirety of the book. I almost feel like asking for my money back. (P.S. I am refering to the 10th edition)

Mediocre and worse than many other Praxis I books

Helpful Votes: 5 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2006-05-19

This mediocre book is worse than most other Praxis I books I used. I found that Cliffs PPST and Barrons How to Prepare for the PPST and Computerized PPST were much, much better, Both these books cost the same as this book and they are much more helpful with better review and practice tests. Take a look at these books before you buy this one.

The Praxis I: PPST Exam

Helpful Votes: 5 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2006-01-29

I purchased several books to help me study for the Praxis I exam in reading, Writing and Math and I liked this one the best. It gave the best explanations and the practice exams were really helpful.

Presents the latest techniques in literacy education

Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2003-02-08

Collaboratively compiled and edited by Diane M. Barone (Professor of Literacy studies, University of Nevada, Reno) and Lesley Mandel Morrow (Professor, Department of learning and Teaching, Graduate School of Education, Rutgers University), Literacy and Young Children: Research-Based Practices surveys and presents the latest techniques in literacy education. Grounded solidly in scientific research, Literacy And Young Children focuses on helping young children develop their skills and talent in reading and writing. A variety of essays by learned authors address multidimensional approaches to beginning literacy, literacy among Latino families, the expansion of what true literacy means in the digital age, organizing expository texts, and more. Highly recommended reading for educators, tutors, and homeschoolers of young children Literacy And Young Children is an invaluable and seminal contribution to the field of Literacy Education.

Couldn't put it down - a MUST READ!

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-07-16

This is the perfect book if you are an Instructional Coach or district leader/administrator and you are looking to start or improve your district's coaching program. As a soon-to-be Instructional Coach, this book allowed me to fully understand the true purpose of my new position. This book is filled with invaluable pieces of realistic advice from authors who "lived it"! It is a quick and easy read. I read it from front to back in only a couple of hours and have already referred to it several times. I feel excited and confident now that I have read this book. Buy it and enjoy!!!

Ready to Start Offering Online Courses

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-09-18

Every new endeavor starts somewhere and this book is a great place to start thinking about your organization's first online educational offerings. Author Robin Neidorf combines the basics of good teaching and instructional design with the realities of the online medium. She explores the different types of adult learners (perpetual learner vs. outcome oriented learners) and how to address them. She explores the factors that lead to e-learning success: collaborative community, availability of material that appeals to six different learning types, the ability of the instructor to connect with the students individually, the need for feedback, and more.

If you're going down this path for the first time, this book provides an excellent framework for approaching your project. The author also provides valuable references to online resources.

Highly recommended.

A terrific guide for everyone, not just instructors

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-10-02

Teach Beyond Your Reach is a terrific resource for everyone who has to deliver knowledge from a distance. True, professional teachers and trainers who need to move their courses online will benefit from Neidorf's systematic approach to developing online instruction as well as her highly engaging and supportive writing style. However, others who find themselves in an unfamiliar teaching role -- for example, non-profits creating courses for their members or librarians delivering online information skills training -- will also appreciate the author's discussion of adult learning styles, her coverage of various distance teaching tools and activities, and her jargon-free presentation. This excellent resource is an easy-to-use, informative, and actionable guide of great value for anyone contemplating teaching at a distance, especially online. I have used it several times for course preparation, and always benefited from Neidorf's practical recommendations.

Practical guide to effective distance teaching styles

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-08-31

Training is part of my business, and Teach Beyond Your Reach has been both educational and energizing for me. It is the perfect companion to have at your side when you are making the leap from in-person to distance teaching. The book coaches teachers and trainers on the fundamental concepts and processes behind effective distance instruction, on making a connection when you are not there in the classroom. It is for teachers, not necessarily for techies. Chapter 1 surveys the range of tools and technologies involved, but the focus is on the teaching/learning aspects--adapting core learner-centric teaching skills to the new environment. Aside from the "distance" aspect, the book is useful for tips about communicating with learners no matter what the communication medium. College teachers, professional trainers, and organizations offering continuing education to their constituents could all benefit from this book.

A fine pick for any teacher entering the cyberworld

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2006-08-18

Instructors interested in better meeting student needs through different teaching approaches will welcome TEACH BEYOND YOUR REACH: AN INSTRUCTOR'S GUIDE TO DEVELOPING AND RUNNING SUCCESSFUL DISTANCE LEARNING CLASSES, WORKSHOPS, TRAINING SESSIONS AND MORE. Distance learning is one of the fastest-growing learning options in the country, allowing individuals to earn degrees, certifications and gain skills without entering a classroom. TEACH BEYOND YOUR REACH covers the basics of a successful distance learning approach and shares practices and examples from successful teachers. A fine pick for any teacher entering the cyberworld.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

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