Customer Reviews

Teacher Under Construction: Things I Wish I'd Known!: A Survival Handbook for New Middle School Teachers

5 star:		(18)
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3 star:		(2)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

Teacher Under Construction is an absolutely indispensable book for anyone wanting to teach in the middle school. Mr. Parks has clearly and accurately captured the necessary elements for setting up and running a successful classroom, and has done it with wonderful insights and stories that help illuminate his points.

The book is broken into easy to read chapters that take one essential element of middle school, and breaks it into workable pieces. Tips, ideas, and easy to follow instructions help the reader apply these truths to their own classrooms. This book deals with the practical elements as well as the theoretical and hierarchical elements of teaching. It is refreshing to see that common sense is still alive! Mr. Parks' helpful teachings are as useful as they are practical.

Mr. Parks has written and included a poem at the beginning of the book titled, "What is a Middle Schooler." What a wonderful poem! He has captured the essence of the middle school child, and portrayed him/her with wonderful word pictures, contradictions and just enough feeling that those of us who know and love the middle school child will recognize and embrace him/her within that poem.

This book has enough within its covers that I would recommend it for even seasoned teachers. It's a great refresher course for those of us who have taught in the middle school setting, and need to revive our own classrooms a bit. Practical, easy to read, and even entertaining, I recommend this book to anyone teaching at the middle school level.

*Update* I am now entering my third year of teaching and still suggest this book as a top read for any new middle school teacher. It by far is really the only book out there that covers everything you will face in the classroom. After now having two years of experience I can tell you most classroom management books do not deal with the pitfalls of teaching seventh and eighth graders. This is a must have book for all middle school teachers!

*Review* I got this book after being disappointed by Harry Wong's "First Days of School," feeling that it did not relate to middle school teachers and was very outdated. I abolutely loved "Teacher Under Construction." It wasn't overdone but was a concise resource for a new teacher. I found it also extremly relevant and timely. My book is already dogeared and highlighted and I have made a lot of notations of things I want to do in my classroom. I could not suggest this book enough for new middle school teachers.

After reading the reviews on here, but having a hard time locating this book in bookstores, I ordered it at my local bookstore in order to give it to my education-major daughter graduating this year. Since she will be teaching middle school (as did I), I recognized she would need all the help she could get!

Well, after perusing the book when it arrived, I can say this. While I could have told her most of the advice given in the book, I couldn't have said it as well, and I certainly couldn't have packaged it so nicely. (Neither would she ever consider her mother an 'expert'!)

This little gem is just wonderful.

Before I evaluate a book, I always evaluate the author. The fact that Mr. Parks was a multi "Teacher of the Year" honoree did not impress me. But from the moment I read the introductory poem: "What is a Middle Schooler?" (NOT the Eldridge Park version!), I was sold on the fact that THIS author truly knows middle schoolers, and that I could trust his advice to their (future) teachers. That little poem now hangs copied and framed on my daughter's classroom wall, and it never fails to bring a smile and a tear to everyone who reads it.

As for the book, yes, it should be required reading in every middle school methods class. By the time a new teacher gets that first position, he/she is too busy. I especially liked the 5-10-15-20 rule of classroom time management, as I did the chapter: 'In Loco Parentis'--information not stressed nearly enough today. Also, the appendices furnish innumerable helps on: the first day of school reminders, what to have in the room, sample parent letters, etc.

In short, the book is short on philosophy and long on practicality.

But I enjoyed "What is a Middle Schooler?" more than anything else. That was truly written from the heart of a middle school teacher, and any book written by such cannot help but be invaluable to any teacher who is dedicating his/her life to working with them.

Also good for veteran teachers (by the same author): "So, You Want to be a NBPTS Candidate?" and "Mentoring the NBPTS Candidate: a Facilitator's Guide", and for Christians: "God, Help Me Pray!".

I have read "Teacher Under Construction: Things I Wish I'd Known!" and loved every word of it! I think all new teachers should read your book before stepping into the classroom for the first time. The principles are good for experienced teachers as well. I purchased copies of the book for my staff. I would like to use them for an in-service at the beginning of school...

Far removed from educational philosophy and pedantic educational theory, this little gem is a mine of practical teaching helps for new middle school teachers, drawn from the author's many years 'in the trenches'.

A book is only as good as the author's understanding of his/her subject, and one has only to read "What is a middle schooler?" on page one to understand that this author knows what middle school is all about.

The book has some helpful checklists, sample parent letters, and what to do on the first day of school. Even as an experienced teacher, I still found a few things helpful. But make no mistake, this book is aimed squarely at new middle school teachers. It has been used in countless university educational prep courses, and while not of the scope of some more publicized tomes, it addresses every aspect of cogent information a new teacher should know--from legal aspects, to seating logistics, to teaming.

A wonderful and helpful book. But "What is a middle schooler?" is the crowning touch.

I taught 7th grade for the first time last year as a veteran high school teacher and learned by trial and error some of the things discussed in this book. While experience is the best teacher, it was great to read it from someone who really knows what they are doing. A Must.

'...a masterful, well-expressed consideration of young adolescents. Well done! There are many especially well-turned phrases and meaningful word pictures in it, readily understandable to those of us who know them but seemingly odd contrasts to those who don't. It is a work of art that says so much in the cryptic language you have chosen. I will be quoting it often and always crediting the author.' "What is a Middle Schooler?" (excerpt from the Introduction)

---Dr. John Lounsbury, Publications Editor for the National Middle School Association and Dean Emeritus, School of Education, George College & State University, Milledgeville

"Jerry has succeeded in describing the delicate balance between the technical-organizational aspects of teaching, and the relational, humanistic characteristics of the profession. It is gratifying to know that `common sense' still plays a big part in
the field of education."
-Dave Shepard, Middle Matters, former vice president of the Kentucky Middle School Association


"...an incredible blueprint for someone starting his or her career! Not only that, but a great resource for teachers trying to improve their teaching and classroom management skills. Needs to be used in college teacher-prep programs!"
-Tommy Hurt, Principal, The Georgetown Middle School


"Dr. Jerry Parks truly understands teaching and learning at the middle school level. Wonderful reading for beginning and experienced middle school teachers!"
-Dr. Dallas Blankenship, Superintendent, Scott County Schools, Georgetown, KY

I discovered the "Teacher Under Construction: Things I Wish I'd Known!" book after I read the author's "So, You Want to Become a National Board Certified Teacher?" book.

I am working on applying for National Board Certification and my curiosity was peaked as to what other books you might have written since I enjoyed that one so much. After doing a search on Amazon.com, I found it and ordered it. Boy am I glad I did!

I shared the "Teacher Under Construction: Things I Wish I'd Known!" book with my principal and she absolutely loved it too! She wants to order copies for some of our staff members.

Again, thank you so much for writing your books. They are a joy to read and a tremendous resource for helpful information as well.

This is an AWESOME overview of teaching in a junior high! Spend 2 days reading this, and you'll save yourself 5 years worth of trial-and-(lots of) error!

NOTE: Review written by Jim T., (K-12 instructor), Orange County CA. I used Donna's status.