This inspiring book features 25 touching, hilarious, eye-opening, and true tales about the most frustrating, intimidating, underpaid, and wonderful job in the world. In schools across America, in classes for handicapped, gifted, privileged, and disadvantaged students, these teachers recall that exciting first year, when they were often given the toughest kids and the biggest responsibilities of their careers. From coping with inner-city diversity to challenging poor self-esteem, these extraordinary images come straight from people who have already taken those first courageous steps of the novice educator. For anyone who is contemplating teaching as a profession, this invaluable collection is a must-read. “Vivid, poignant, and often funny stories about one of the most challenging experiences anyone can have: first-year teaching.”—Albert Shanker, President, American Federation of Teachers