Trickle Down Teaching: A Lighthearted Romp Through the Minefield of Your Rookie Year

Seven billion dollars a year hit the academic Dumpster due to new teachers dropping out. By their third year, nearly fifty percent have permanently heeded the dismissal bell of their profession. They leave, voluntarily or otherwise, because they are overwhelmed and confused, and don't know how to help themselves. Well-intentioned administrators provide unhelpful inservices, poorly organized mentoring programs and schmaltzy gimmicks, all to no avail. Trickle Down Teaching demystifies the major problem for beginning teachers; that is, their primary goal must be to quickly and methodically establish solid support for themselves by harnessing the powerful forces beyond their classrooms, but within the school. Once the new teacher is solidly supported, benefits trickle down naturally to students--the ultimate goal of every teacher.