Teachers College Press Preparing Early Career Teachers to Thrive: Sustaining Purpose, Navigating Tensions, and Cultivating Self-Care

Teachers are the backbone of schools, yet they are leaving in droves. This book addresses the post-pandemic crisis of early career teacher turnover that is harming students and entire school systems. The author provides teacher educators and mentors with strategies to help new teachers proactively navigate the early years and thrive in the K–12 classroom. Based on 10 years of research and practical application, this guide will support teacher professional identity formation, resilience, and agency. The text offers a humanistic conceptual lens on the most pressing issues expressed by novice teachers. Chapters cover understanding the causes of burnout and attrition, promoting an authentic teacher identity, appreciating teaching as developmental, managing tension and conflict, encouraging self-care for busy educators, and authoring a personalized early career plan. Each topic features assignment ideas, reflection prompts, and other tools suitable for both teacher preparation courses and one-on-one coaching and mentoring. Book Features: Offers field-tested tools to help preservice and new teachers avoid burnout and maintain their well-being. Includes step-by-step activities with templates that break down each of the tools discussed. Weaves together inspiring quotes, short anecdotes, and work samples from teachers who participated in the activities. Recommends distinct ways that K–12 induction programs, mentors, administrators, and early career teachers can use and adapt the ideas presented.