Don't Smile Until December, and Other Myths About Classroom Teaching

Teaching is a complex profession, made more complex by many of the myths about teaching told by teachers themselves. This lively new book by veteran teacher educator Peggy Deal Redman identifies eight of the most powerful and longstanding myths about classroom teaching, and explains the classroom realities too often hidden by the myths. Explore the real truth about such myths as "Good teachers are born, not made"; "Good teachers don't make mistakes"; "Teaching is a dead end job"; "They can't learn, they belong to special education," and more. Each chapter explores the reality behind the myth against the backdrop of today's professional learning communities, where teachers and teacher leaders know that every child can learn and that every teacher is a lifelong learner who grows through caring, collaboration, and reflection. All chapters include classroom stories, reflective questions, how-to tips and strategies, and inspirational quotations. In the words of Peggy Redman, "Smile as early on and as often as you can to build a healthy classroom climate."