Introduction to Secondary Teaching

Grounded in evidence-based instruction, the wisdom of experienced teachers, brain research, and social justice pedagogies, this book offers practical, actionable strategies that secondary teachers can use immediately. It weaves each element together, empowering both new and veteran educators to refine their practice and create effective, equitable learning environments.

Drawing from social justice pedagogies, evidence-based instruction, the wisdom of experienced teachers, and adolescent-brain research, Introduction to Secondary Teaching: Blending Wisdom, Research, and Social Justice offers theories, practices, rationale, and actionable steps needed to be an effective secondary school teacher. Chapters cover building relationships with students, classroom management, creating authentic learning experiences, planning and providing instruction, fostering motivation and engagement in learning, and designing meaningful and just assessments. Written to help new teachers enjoy success early on in their careers, this book argues that we cannot wait for teachers to learn “from experience” alone. This book lays a foundation to help teachers sustain in this challenging profession and become the educational leaders we need. Rooted in this foundation is a new concept, TIPPS, referring to teacher identity, presence, passion, and stance—a conceptual framework that informs all aspects of a teacher’s work. Teacher educators will appreciate this course-friendly text, with its guiding questions, real-world examples, summarizing key points, and features by real teachers across a range of content areas, all bringing ideas and practices to life.