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For novice teacher, veteran teacher, or mid-career professional entering teaching for the first time, stepping into a classroom can be like diving into the deep end of a pool. In the words of Foreword writer William Ayers, 'the plunge will be heart-stopping.' For all those who take the plunge, Dominic Belmonte's wise and humorous book provides support. Dominic Belmonte blends theory with example, anecdote, and reflection to guide the teacher through developing a teaching persona, teaching philosophy, and teaching tenets. Through the stresses of coping with limited career advancement and sometimes-cynical colleagues and through ethical dilemmas guaranteed to make any teacher say 'yikes'; and always through the challenges of creating and nurturing a caring and thoughtful student-teacher dynamic. With a clear vision of what it means to be an excellent teacher, this book has relevance for student teachers, new teachers, alternative certification teachers, veteran teachers, mentor teachers, and all teacher educators and school administrators charged with recruiting, training, and credentialing teachers who can succeed with today's classroom challenges.