Based on the author's disastrous first year of teaching - which began with no classroom-management skills - this humorous personal account offers clear and specific advice on how to become an adept classroom manager. Funny and practical, this new edition also continues the author's story, sharing what he has learned since leaving the teaching field for five years and then returning to the classroom. From discussing why learning to discipline is so difficult to outlining the tactics that both do and do not work, this book shows how a 'softy' eventually became the Teacher of the Year over the course of four years and offers encouragement to teachers who are currently struggling.