Your First Year: How to Survive and Thrive as a New Teacher

By Todd Whitaker, Madeline Whitaker Good, Katherine Whitaker

2nd Edition 2023

If you’ve been thinking about purchasing Your First Year as a resource to help you succeed as a new teacher, use the review below as a preview before you buy.

Your First Year was originally published in 2016 with the new edition published in 2023 which includes additional information included classroom management. I purchased this book to gain perspective as an Instructional Coach and Teacher Mentor. Each and every piece of advice resonated with me as an experienced teacher. I often found myself nodding my head up and down in agreement. 

There are 4 key sections:  

Before the Students Arrive: Structure, Structure, Structure

The Students Are Here…Now What?

Working with Adults

Reflect, Refine, and Grow

Chapter 1 is focused on setting up and organizing your classroom.

Chapter 4 is about lesson planning and instruction. 

The remainder of the first two sections is ALL classroom management. 

Why is so much content related to Classroom Management? 

“Research has consistently shown that one of the main reasons teachers are dissatisfied with their work or even leave the profession is because they struggle with classroom management.” - Your First Year

“If a teacher has good classroom management they still may not be effective, but if they do not have good classroom management they can never be effective” - Your First Year

I wholeheartedly agree. Maximum student achievement cannot happen without effective teaching AND effective classroom management.

Section 3: Working with Adults is my FAVORITE! Of the books I have read and reviewed for new teachers, this is the first one to give advice on working with other adults.  In a DREAM world, our schools would be filled with quality, supportive, and positive administrators, teaching colleagues, and parents. In the REAL world, over the course of a 30+ year career you will no doubtedly encounter at least one (or more) ineffective, negative and possibly toxic staff members or parents. 

Your First Year was a quick read chock full of great advice evidenced by the fact that most pages are completely filled with my own highlights and notes.

Each chapter is clear and concise in its message and provides real classroom examples for K-12 classrooms. If you are looking for elementary and grade level specific advice AND guidance on what to teach for your grade level, check out the How to Teach Elementary School series.

KEY IDEAS from YOUR FIRST YEAR:

How to Survive and Thrive as a New Teacher