Teacher Under Construction: Things I Wish I'd Known! is an indispensable survival manual for any teacher wishing to enter the wonderful world of middle schoolers! It provides practical, essential, and usable information to help new teachers set up and run a classroom, motivate students, and understand the unique setting that is "middle school". Crucial elements discussed include: Behavior management that works! The most important lesson a teacher will ever learn... Parent conferencing checklist Helpful Internet websites for teachers only! Room essentials! Surviving opening day! The 5-10-15-20 rule of time management The M.A.S.T.E.R.Y. Principle of successful teaching Teacher Under Construction: Things I Wish I'd Known! is designed for Pre-service and new teachers. Helps are presented in a handy, quick-reference format. This is the book every experienced middle school teacher wishes they'd had their first year of teaching! "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. Teacher Under Construction: Things I Wish I'd Known! is a wonderful reading for beginning and experienced middle school teachers!" --Dr. Dallas Blankenship, Superintendent, Scott Schools, Georgetown, KY