Learners First
Purpose and Practicality in Your Early Years of Teaching
- Denise Furlong - Furlong Educational Consulting, LLC
- Keri Orange-Jones - West Orange Public Schools, NJ
Practical advice, inclusive strategies, meaningful impact.
The early years of teaching can be exhilarating and overwhelming in equal measure. Drawing on over 50 years of combined experience in public schooling, coaching, and higher education, authors Denise Furlong and Keri Orange-Jones equip novice educators with the tools, insights, and perspectives they need to thrive in today’s classrooms.
Learners First applies an equity lens to a range of topics essential to every teacher’s first years in the classroom, including grading and assessment, inclusive practices for diverse learners, key considerations for multilingual learners, and more. Additional features include
- Chapter-opening reflection questions and key vocabulary to support understanding
- Quotes and vignettes from a diverse range of educators, including novice teachers, seasoned mentors, instructional coaches, and administrators
- Practical advice for lesson planning, assessments, evaluations, and behavior management
With its holistic approach to the whole child and the whole teacher, Learners First empowers educators to foster inclusive classrooms and develop as resilient, reflective professionals. This essential guide is more than a "survival guide" for new teachers—it’s a call to action and growth.
"Learners First provides the beginning teacher with vital information that will help achieve success in the classroom, from developing relationships to constructing differentiated assessments that give reliable data about the progression of learning. It’s a valuable addition to a new teacher’s toolbox!"
"Books on the first years are always needed, especially if it helps the current new teacher survive and thrive. Teaching has changed drastically and this has caused new teachers to not stay in the profession. This book address the greatest stressors of a teacher in the classroom for the areas in which the teacher has control. It provides useful information and strategies for new (and all) teachers."
"The first years of teaching can be the most rewarding and challenging in a new teacher's experience. The text serves as a symbolic companion to prepare teachers to nurture an inclusive, respectful classroom experience for all students."
"This book is a one stop shop for pertinent information most teachers pick up in bits and pieces over several years of teaching. As a mentor of new teachers, this would make a great resource for my mentees. I can relay all of this information, but new teachers are overwhelmed immediately in new teacher training before regular in-service starts each year. Mentees could begin answering questions by using this book, then double checking with their mentor for additional, district specific information."
Love, love, LOVE this book! There are tons of opportunities for deep reflection, practical tools, thoughts, and ideas - and the tone is approachable and supportive! I appreciate that the book is grounded in equity for all students.
I'd definitely grab this one for any new teacher friends - but a lot of other folks in our schools also need this. It's way more than a "survival guide" for new teachers - this could support mentoring programs in schools, instructional coaches, or leaders supporting new teachers! Highly recommend!