The joys and pains of starting a teaching career often go undiscussed. This field guide dives deep into the personal side of teaching, offering crucial advice, empathy, and new-teacher support. The author details six phases every new or first-year teacher goes through (anticipation, survival, disillusionment, rejuvenation, reflection, and second anticipation) and outlines targeted classroom strategies, teaching tips, and self-care practices for each. Transcend the emotional, mental, and physical problems teachers face in the classroom: Understand the feelings and teaching challenges of each phase during a beginning teacher's career. Practice self-care to combat beginning and first-year teacher stress and burnout; avoid the mental pitfalls that so often lead to teachers changing careers. Learn effective classroom-management strategies for new teachers and how to maintain positive relationships with students. Respond to prompts that will help you process and reflect on your first years' culmination. Utilize the prompts and journaling spaces throughout the book to reflect on your professional improvements and successes. Contents: Introduction: First Things First Chapter 1: The Anticipation Phase Chapter 2: The Survival Phase Chapter 3: The Disillusionment Phase Chapter 4: The Rejuvenation Phase Chapter 5: The Reflection Phase Chapter 6: The Second Anticipation Phase Appendix A: End-of-the-Year Activities Appendix B: Mementos Epilogue: The Year in Retrospect References and Resources Index