(cross posted at my Substack, Draft and Drift)

Ah, spring. Recently, I cheered my pre-service teachers on at graduation, as they waved at loved ones, smiled, and took in the moment. I’ve listened and given advice as they interviewed, did guest teaching, and landed teaching jobs in Vermont and beyond. They are a bright and talented bunch, full of ideas, enthusiasm, and love for their students and the craft.

I wish them ALLLLL the success. ❤️

I want teaching to be a fulfilling and sustainable profession for them—one where they can thrive without sacrificing their well-being, identity, or personal lives.

This is a big ask.

Because we know the big challenges, there are too many to list here, though I have written about them widely in other places. I wrote a whole book about why teachers leave, and what we need to do to help them stay, but it needed an update, and a change of approach.

I wanted to write something that helped shorten the learning curve for new and beginning teachers. Something that helped them develop a plan right from the beginning. And that is what Penny Bishop, my co-author and fellow champion of new and beginning teachers (and Dean of the Wheelock School of Education at Boston University), tried to do with our new book, Real Talk for New Teachers: Tools for a Sustainable Career.

I’m happy to report that pre-orders (at your favorite bookstore or online retailer) are now open! I hope as students are graduating and launching into their careers, they can create a sustainable plan for teaching that supports them (and beginning teachers, too).

“Real Talk for New Teachers is a MUST for anyone entering the teaching field or in their first years of teaching! This book makes teaching feel “doable” in a holistic manner that starts with the self (living healthily) and moves toward collaborating with others and becoming a leader in the profession.”

—Dr. Stacy Simonyi, Assistant Professor of Education at Saint Michael’s College

Our country needs desperately teachers that are inspiring, engaged, brave, knowledgeable, compassionate, caring and healthy. Teachers that can move through complex emotions, develop strong communities, and work to provide equity, access, belongingness, opportunity and access for their students.

If you know any new or beginning teachers, I hope you will share Real Talk for New Teachers with them! You can pre-order at your local independent book store, or the regular online retailers.

Thanks for reading, be well!

Here is the cover for our upcoming book, Real Talk for New Teachers: Tools for Building a Sustainable Career! We hope it conveys the busy lives of teachers working together to help students, plan powerful learning, and collaborating to support each other and families. What do you think?

We also learned that the book is going to be published on June 2nd and that pre-orders from Routledge start on May 12th. This is happening fast now!

Here is a sneak peak at one of our early reviews:

“Real Talk for New Teachers is a MUST for anyone entering the teaching field or in their first years of teaching! This book makes teaching feel “doable” in a holistic manner that starts with the self (living healthily) and moves toward collaborating with others and becoming a leader in the profession.”

—Dr. Stacy Simonyi, Assistant Professor of Education at Saint Michael’s College

Stay tuned for more information about upcoming events, giveaways, and information about this and please be in touch with any questions or if you want a review copy for your consideration in use with your district, mentoring program, or school.