Julia G. Thompson

As a practicing teacher with more than twenty-five years of experience, Julia Thompson understands firsthand the realities of today's classroom. This extensive experience and the insights she has gained as a teacher trainer have shaped her beliefs about the daily challenges that can confront even the most steadfast teachers.

Julia's dedication to promoting excellence among her colleagues and to helping new teachers translate their dreams into successful practice is the focus of her work as an author of professional development resources and as a teacher trainer.

As a workshop leader, she has taught hundreds of teachers how to how to create student-centered classrooms, thrive during that important first year, motivate reluctant learners, prevent discipline problems, integrate technology, and sustain high expectations for themselves and for their students.

A graduate of Virginia Tech, Julia is the author of several books for teachers. In each of her books, Julia presents classroom-tested ideas, activities, and strategies designed to make each school day a successful one.

With just a few clicks, you can learn more about Julia Thompson and her books. Here's how:

At the Home page, you can click on the captions under the book covers or on the links to Jossey Bass, Barnes and Noble, or Amazon to learn what others say about her books. You can email Julia with just a click, too, if you have questions or would like a set of guided reading question for First-Year Teacehr's Survival Guide. Also on the Home page, you can read excerpts from her work and take a quick quiz to assess your strengths as a teacher.

When you click on Works at the top of the site, you’ll be directed to a page with helpful information about each book. You can again click on a specific title in the center column of the Works page to be directed to excerpts and even more information about each one.

When you click on Workshops, you can learn more about the types of professional development training programs that Julia conducts.

When you click on Newsletter, you can sign up to receive a monthly newsletter of useful tips and ideas that can make your classroom into the positive learning environment that you want for your students and for yourself.

When you click on Guides, you can read a brief excerpt from the study guide for The First-Year Teacher's Survival Guide and e-mail Julia Thompson to download a copy.

You Are the Solution
An Excerpt from First-Year Teacher's Survival Guide
"While some people believe that schools are hotbeds of social, behavioral, and academic problems, you are the solution to those problems. While it is exciting to think of the powerful influence you can have on your students, it is just as unnerving to accept the challenges that accompany your importance.

Countless studies have proved that teachers are the most significant factor in any student’s schooling. Although you may be tempted to think that sports, peer pressure, or a student’s physical environment have more influence than you do, consider the many ways in which you play a role in your students’ lives:

• Inspiring students to believe they can achieve their goals and dreams
• Keeping defenseless students safe from bullies
• Encouraging a lifelong interest in learning
• Guiding students in building a better life
• Offering comfort and guidance
• Teaching students to read, to write, to think
• Modeling how to be a good citizen and a successful adult
• Helping students believe in themselves
• Encouraging students who get little encouragement elsewhere."

An Excerpt from Section 1 of First-Year Teacher's Survival Guide

Core Values of Professional Educators
 "Your first priority should always be your students.
 All children can learn. Not all children learn at the same rate or in the same way, but all children can learn.
 Success breeds success in the classroom as well as in life.
 The best defense against misbehavior will always be relevant, interesting lessons delivered by an instructor who makes it clear that each child is vital to the success of the entire class.
 Teachers who lower their expectations kill all hope of success.
 Great teachers look beyond the behavior to understand the child.
 All teachers are role models all the time.
 The three 'P’s' of classroom success are planning + preparation + prevention.
 Teachers control what happens in a classroom, both the good and the bad.
 Every child should read every day.
 You don't teach a class; you teach individuals.
 The most important reason to strive to be the very best teacher you can? Every day you will make a significant difference in the life of a child."

Test Yourself!
One of the significant factors shared by professional educators is the desire to improve the way we manage classrooms, relate to students, plan lessons, and reach out to every child--in short, how to successfully fulfill a teacher's professional duties.

You, too, are probably a teacher who works very hard to improve your instructional skills. Test yourself! The results of this self-assessment can guide you as you strive to become a successsful classroom leader.

Which of These Statements Applies to You?
1. I know the material, the standards, and the objectives I am expected to cover.
2. My students help each other. I can count on them to help me, too.
3. I design challenging, relevant, innovative assignments so my students can master the material.
4. When I am absent, my students stick with class routines.
5. I always have a “Plan B” ready if a lesson is not going as planned.
6. I recognize individual student needs in the variety of discipline strategies and learning activities I use.
7. I make sure my students know I care about their welfare.
8. I focus my discipline energies on preventing problems rather than having to deal with the aftermath of bad behavior.
9. I take my responsibilities as a positive role model very seriously.
10. My students take pride in their work and in their class.
11. I appreciate the personalities of my students.
12. I work to foster an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust in my classroom.
13. My students talk more than I do, but their conversation is mainly about their work.
14. My students have long-term and short-term goals for their lives. I show them how to translate their goals into reality.
15. I strive to evaluate my students as fairly as possible through a wide assortment of assessment techniques.
16. I use a variety of engaging materials and motivation strategies to keep my students interested and on task.
17. Students perceive me as a firm and friendly teacher who treats them fairly.
18. I provide prompt feedback so that my students understand what they need to do to improve.
19. I take a teamwork approach with my students, their parents or guardians, and other adults who will be able to help them succeed.
20. I ask for help when I need it; I have forged strong connections with my colleagues.

How did you do? If you are like most teachers, many of those statements apply to you. Take time to celebrate your hard-earned successes before looking at the areas you could improve!

For each weakness you noted, use this advice to create your own improvement plan:

Develop a Plan to Correct Weaknesses
Now that you have begun the process of self-evaluation, it is not enough to make yourself aware of your weaknesses. You must plan how to correct them. Here’s how:

Step 1:
Choose three of the areas you intend to work on and list them on a sheet of paper.

Step 2:
Brainstorm as many ways as you can to improve these weaknesses. Remember that brainstorming works best when you keep generating ideas past obvious solutions.

Step 3:
Go over your list again and decide on the steps you need to take to correct your weaknesses. Write them down.

Step 4:
Put the list in a conspicuous place so your personal improvement plan is easily accessible.