Testing Your Mettle: Tough Problems and Real-World Solutions for Middle and High School Teachers

"The rationale for this book is excellent. The idea of exposing new teachers to a bit of ′reality training′ is long overdue in teacher development programs." John Davis Assistant Professor, Teacher Education Department California State University, Dominguez Hills "The format allows for critical thinking for solutions, evaluation of the possible solutions, and then checking of reality by providing the actual outcome of the situation. Staff developers and new teacher mentors would find it very useful…" Janice M. Bibik Associate Professor of Education, University of Delaware "Excellent for use in classroom management courses, introduction courses, and seminars for new teachers. I highly value the problem-based approach to teaching how to deal with situations that arise in the school setting." Judy Butler Assistant Professor of Education State University of West Georgia A practical guide to prepare teachers for real-life classrooms! Learn to think and act beyond the theory presented in educational textbooks. In this straightforward guide to what really happens in classrooms and hallways, veteran teacher and administrator Harry J. Alexandrowicz makes "reality training" available to both novice and experienced teachers. Harry J. Alexandrowicz draws from his 28 years′ experience in the schools to help prepare teachers to handle the inevitable legal, philosophical, and common sense challenges they face every day. These challenges are presented as brief vignettes followed by four possible solutions with space for you to write your proposed action, then sections on what actually happened, what should have happened, and why. The kinds of scenarios you will learn about include: A parent threatens you You witness students hazing another student You discover a gun in a student′s locker The school′s best athlete is failing your class This accessible "insider′s" view of the classroom will be an essential resource for teachers, administrators, and parents who want to gain valuable insights into how to handle what really happens in schools today.

Table of Contents:
Introduction Being in Charge of Your Classroom Confronting Student Behaviors outside the Classroom Working with Administrators and Colleagues Dealing with Parents and the Community Complying with School Policy and Legal Requirements Responding to Perennial ′Sticky′ Issues The Teacher as Professional

About the Author :
Harry J. Alexandrowicz is currently Superintendent of Schools in Woodland Township, New Jersey. Over the past 28 years he has served as a teacher, assistant principal, high school and middle school principal, and superintendent. In addition, he has served as an adjunct professor of educational foundations at Rowan University and has made numerous staff development presentations.

Review :
"The rationale for this book is excellent. The idea of exposing new teachers to a bit of ‘reality training’ is long overdue in teacher development programs." "The format allows for critical thinking for solutions, evaluation of the possible solutions, and then checking of reality by providing the actual outcome of the situation. Staff developers and new teacher mentors would find it very useful…"  "Excellent for use in classroom management courses, introduction courses, and seminars for new teachers. I highly value the problem-based approach to teaching how to deal with situations that arise in the school setting."