A teacher's early years are marked as much by learning as by teaching. Unraveling the complexities of the students and the classroom can be a challenging process. This guide provides straightforward, practical, and upbeat advice for novice elementary teachers. Based on her years of experience working with student teachers and new teachers, Rhoda M. Samkoff demystifies the early stages of an education career and offers strategies for handling situations new teachers are likely to face. The book combines examples from real classrooms and advice from experienced teachers to cover a wide range of topics, including planning effective lessons, dealing with specific student behaviors, and communicating with parents. Chapters include: Filled with humor, wisdom, and encouragement, In a Class of Your Own is like a mentor in your very own classroom.