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How to be a Successful Teacher
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How to be a Successful Teacher
Strategies for Personal and Professional Development

First Edition
  • Paul Castle - Formerly of University of Worcester, UK
  • Scott Buckler - Independent Academic, Teacher, Chartered Psychologist

November 2009 | 232 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd
"Reading this book may change your attitude to your students, your colleagues and most of all, to yourself. It is written accessibly and has a pleasingly irreverent tone, but a warning: it will challenge you to think differently!" - Phil Beadle, inspirational teacher and TES columnist

Teaching is a rewarding, yet demanding profession, one in which a person needs to be fully prepared. This book focuses on the applied psychological skills, strategies, and resources, which will help to ensure teachers are equipped with personal and professional expertise to survive in the classroom.

Key Features

  • Provides an overview of important psychological themes within teaching such as confidence, motivation, and self esteem
  • Explores physical issues related to successful psychological functioning, such as fitness and nutrition
  • Offers advice and activities which show how to learn and use psychological skills techniques directly

Readily accessible to a wide audience, including internationally, the book assumes no prior knowledge of psychology. The authors give specific examples taken from a diverse range of professional situations with relevant theoretical underpinnings.

The text provides support to students taking teacher training courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. It will also help teachers in their formative professional years.


 
About the authors
 
Acknowledgments
 
Preface
 
Foreword
 
How to use this book
 
PART ONE: PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS
 
The morning bell: another day begins! Introduction
 
What was I saying? Concentration and attention
 
What am I doing here? Motivation
 
I can't do it! Confidence and self-esteem
 
I can't cope! Emotion, mood and stress
 
Flexibility for action! Adapting to change
 
PART TWO: PHYSICAL ISSUES
 
Fitness to Teach: A healthy body equals a healthy mind - Nutrition, hydration and health
 
PART THREE: PSYCHOLOGICAL SKILLS TRAINING
 
I have 101 things to do…what do I attempt first? Goal setting
 
Take a 'break': Relaxation
 
Is talking to yourself the first sign of 'madness'? Self-talk and cognitive restructuring
 
Is hallucinating the second sign of 'madness'? Mental imagery
 
When the going gets tough…! Mental resilience
 
PART FOUR: EPILOGUE
 
The final bell… the journey begins
 
References
 
Index

'Reading this book may change your attitude to your students, your colleagues and most of all, to yourself. It is written accessibly and has a pleasingly irreverent tone, but a warning: it will challenge you to think differently!' - Phil Beadle, Columnist, Education Guardian


' I picked the book up thinking that I’d better have a look at it as the deadline for submission of my review is looming and… I found myself hooked! Ten minutes later I was still reading for pleasure. I even found myself laughing!' - ESCalate


'It is rare to find a book on teaching that actually provokes thought and stimulates a whole new approach to improving the chances of successful teaching. This book really is a must for anyone within the teaching sector wishing to reach new standards and enjoy greater success in their chosen career...The book is packed with advice, activities and reflections and each chapter concludes with a one minute summary. Overall, this is an excellent book that can really make a difference' - Amazon Customer Review


This is a really useful and easy to read guide. The section on healthy mind is particularly relevant in the current climate and one that I will be recommending my students read. Overall in a time when concerns over resilience and suitability are raised this is an excellent book to guide you through the 'wobble' moments.

Mrs Louise Wormwell
School of Education, Newman University
October 12, 2016

This book is fantastic and will really help all teachers to further their teaching methods, but it is not something that i will encourage my students to read, just my colleagues

Mr Michael Smith
Public Services , Central Bedfordshire College
August 20, 2015

This book is a fantastic practical handbook for teachers, especially those new to the profession

Mrs Jo Kennedy
Education and Training, Cornwall Neighbourhood's 4 Change
September 17, 2015

Loved this book, liked the way it was written, nice presentation. Good activities and nice bite sized learning points.

Mrs Jill Gilby
Training & Development, CERT Ltd
February 16, 2015

Readable, appealing and informative. Excellent tool for my own development and will be encouraging others to read it too.

Miss Annie Freeman
Adult Skills, North Lindsey College
June 27, 2013

I have already submitted feedback on this text

Mr Mark Timoney
Humanities , Sligo Institute of Technology
April 4, 2012

This book provides a basic introducation to the importance of understanding psychological perspectives for intending educators. It is easily accessible and has some very useful tips regarding how to engage professionally as a practitioner.

Mr Sean Bracken
Institute of Education, Worcester University
January 11, 2012

An excellent book, written in a logical way and full of great hints and tips. I will ensure our college library obtains a few copies and I have added it to our reading list.

Ms Ann Gravells
Teacher Training, Bishop Burton College
November 29, 2011

An easy read flow. Continue to find it a valuable resource.

Mr Mark Goodrich
Ambulance training, Ambulance education centre
November 9, 2011

Sample Materials & Chapters

Chapter One

Chapter Two


Sage College Publishing

You can purchase or sample this product on our Sage College Publishing site:

Go To College Site

This title is also available on SAGE Knowledge, the ultimate social sciences online library. If your library doesn’t have access, ask your librarian to start a trial.