Foundations of American Education: Ten Questions for New Teachers

by Christian P. Wilkens

Overview

Answers all the questions that students preparing for a career in education ask.

Foundations of American Education asks many of the questions new teachers face: How should I handle classroom management? How will I know if students are learning what they should? What should I do in class my first year? How can I make things better for students? This book addresses major topics covered by introductory-level education classes, such as the history of US public schools, curriculum and assessment, classroom management, school governance, law, and more. Each chapter includes stories and examples from real teachers and schools and closes with a major US court case about public education. A major goal for the volume is to develop a sense for what US public school teachers do now and how we might be able to do better in the years ahead.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798855801026
Publisher:	State University of New York Press
Publication date:	02/01/2025
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	314
File size:	8 MB
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Christian P. Wilkens is Associate Professor of Education at SUNY Brockport.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations

Introduction: Why Should Anyone Read a Book about Foundations of Education?

1. Teachers and Schools: What Is It Like to Be a Teacher?

2. History: What's the History of Public Schools in the United States?

3. Governance and Finance: Why Does It Matter that Public Schools Have Local Control?

4. Communities: What Should I Learn about My Students, Their Families, and Their Communities?

5. Curriculum: How Will I Know What to Teach?

6. Instruction: What Should I Do in Class My First Year?

7. Classroom Management: How Should I Manage My Classroom?

8. Assessment: How Will I Know If Students Are Learning What They Should?

9. Law and Ethics: How Can I Get Fired?

10. What Comes Next: How Can I Make Things Better for Students?

Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

"A well written text that draws on a multitude of diverse sources and perspectives. It challenges the status quo by decentering whitewashed perspectives and highlighting the significance of education among marginalized groups. Additionally, the text includes practical tips and advice for a sensible approach to working with children and families." — Toya Mañón, EdD, Monroe Community College

"The scholarship is accessible, relevant, and meaningful for an undergraduate student entering the teaching profession. This did not read like a textbook. It felt more like a story or personal reflection into teaching." — Crystal Simmons, PhD, School of Education, SUNY Geneseo

From the Publisher