The best-selling book of easy-to-implement classroom lessons from the world’s premier educational system—now available in paperback. Finland shocked the world when its fifteen-year-olds scored highest on the first Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), a set of tests evaluating critical-thinking skills in math, science, and reading. That was in 2001; even today, this tiny Nordic nation continues to amaze. How does Finnish education—with short school days, light homework loads, and little standardized testing—produce students who match the PISA scores of other nations with more traditional “work ethic” standards? When Timothy Walker started teaching fifth graders at a Helsinki public school, he began a search for the secrets behind the successes of Finland’s education system. Highlighting specific strategies that support joyful K–12 classrooms and can be integrated with U.S. educational standards, this book, available in paperback for the first time, gathers what he learned and shows how any teacher can implement many of Finland's best practices. A new foreword by the author addresses the urgent questions of teaching, and living, in these pandemic times.

Describes the various careers in a school system, including those of teacher, dietician, counselor, speech therapist, school board member, teacher aide, custodian, bus driver, and others.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHERS teach children from Kindergarten to fifth, sixth, or eighth grade (depending on the school system). Many teach a variety of subjects, from history to reading to science. Others specialize in one content area. Most teach in public schools and about 10 percent work in private schools. From coast to coast, rural village to metropolitan hub, there are schools in need of motivated teachers. The best part of being an elementary school teacher is inspiring children and seeing them grow and develop as learners and people. If you enjoy spending time with children you will find this to be a very rewarding career. Every day involves new adventures - some good, some bad. This is a job that will keep you on your toes. You will need to be creative, patient, energetic, and social. Strong communications skills are also a must. The nine-month school year allows teachers a long summer vacation in which to rest and recharge, travel, or work a second job. Their regular workweek also allows some extra time off in comparison to office jobs. The elementary school day typically runs from 8:00 or 9:00 in the morning, to 2:00 or 3:00 in the afternoon. Salaries are modest, but they are improving, and full-time teachers do enjoy good benefits packages. There will be an increase in the number of jobs over the next decade. You can get a teaching job with a bachelor's degree and certification earned through student teaching, and an exam. In college, there are two options. One is to major in elementary education, and the other is to major in a content area such as math and take additional education courses. Some school districts require their teachers to hold a master's degree, but this is not usually the case. However, teachers must take continuing education courses throughout their career to maintain certification. Good elementary school teachers understand that children are the future. As a teacher, you have the opportunity to make an enormous difference in the lives of your students and their families. In fact, you may be one of the most influential people in a child's life. If you are up for the challenges and joys of teaching, read on to learn more about how to become an elementary school teacher!

"Drawing on Christine Sleeter's review of research on the academic and social impact of ethnic studies commissioned by the National Education Association, this book will examine the value and forms of teaching and researching ethnic studies. The book employs a diverse conceptual framework, including critical pedagogy, anti-racism, Afrocentrism, Indigeneity, youth participatory action research, and critical multicultural education. The book provides cases of classroom teachers to 'illustrate what such conceptual framework look like when enacted in the classroom, as well as tensions that spring from them within school bureaucracies driven by neoliberalism.' Sleeter and Zavala will also outline ways to conduct research for 'investigating both learning and broader impacts of ethnic research used for liberatory ends'"--

Opportunities and Challenges in Teacher Recruitment and Retention serves as a comprehensive resource for understanding teachers’ careers across the professional lifespan. Grounded in the notion that teachers’ voices are essential for understanding teachers’ lives, this edited volume contains chapters that privilege the voices of teachers above all. Book sections look closely at the particular issues that arise when recruiting an effective, committed, and diverse workforce, as well as the challenges that arise once teachers are immersed in the classroom setting. Promising directions are also included for particularly high-need areas such as early childhood teachers, Black male teachers, STEM teachers, and urban teachers. The book concludes with a call for self-care in teachers’ lives. Chapter contributions come from a variety of contexts across the United States and around the world. However, regardless of context or methodology, these chapters point to the importance of valuing and respecting teachers’ lives and work. Moreover, they demonstrate that teacher recruitment and retention is a complex and multifaceted issue that cannot be addressed through simplistic policy changes. Rather, attending to and appreciating the web of influences on teachers lives and careers is the only way to support their work and the impact they have on our next generation of students.