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Learners First - Book Cover

Learners First

Purpose and Practicality in Your Early Years of Teaching
Learners First applies an equity lens to topics essential to every novice teacher, empowering educators to foster inclusive classrooms and develop as resilient, reflective professionals.

Full description

Learners First - Book Cover
Product Details
  • Grade Level: PreK-12
  • ISBN: 9781071964286
  • Published By: Corwin
  • Year: 2025
  • Page Count: 160
  • Publication date: April 29, 2025
Price: $30.95

Review Copies

Review copies may be requested by individuals planning to purchase 10 or more copies for a team or considering a book for adoption in a higher ed course. To request a review copy, contact sales@corwin.com.

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Description

Description

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.

Author(s)

Author(s)

Denise Furlong photo

Denise Furlong

Dr. Denise Furlong: Dr. Furlong is an Assistant Professor/Director of Advanced Programs for Reading Specialists and ESL for Georgian Court University. She has taught for over twenty-five years in the New Jersey public school system, ranging from kindergarten through 12th grade. She also has mentored and coached both novice and veteran teachers over the years. She is the author of Voices of Newcomers: Experiences of Multilingual Learners (EduMatch, 2022). She lives at the Jersey Shore with her husband, Tim, her three kids (Ryan, Joey & Sarah), and their two dogs. You can connect with her on Twitter/X @denise_furlong.

Keri Orange-Jones photo

Keri Orange-Jones

Dr. Keri Orange-Jones: Dr. Orange-Jones is a middle school assistant principal and adjunct professor at Montclair University and William Paterson University. She has been an educator for 27 years. Keri is also part of the Drew Writing Project and National Writing Project. She has offered her insight as a guest speaker on podcasts and several virtual professional learning communities. She has also published blogs, journal articles and contributed to other publications. She is an advocate for equity and accessibility for all students, regardless of socioeconomic status. Additional research interests include teacher education and evaluation, student assessment, positive school culture and climate and the importance of representation and diversity in the educational field. She lives in New Jersey with her husband David and her bonus daughter Laila. She takes great pride in being a daughter, sister, niece, aunt, cousin and friend. She is also a foodie, loves to travel and enjoys beach vacations. You can connect with her on Twitter/X @drkcorange

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Dangers of a Deficit Mindset

Chapter 2: Understanding and Surviving the Evaluation

Chapter 3: Grading & Assessments/Project-based Learning

Chapter 4: The ABCs of School: I&RS, RTI, MTSS, and SEL

Chapter 5: Implementing Inclusive Practices in the Diverse Classroom

Chapter 6: Access and Inclusion for Learners with Diverse Needs

Chapter 7: English Learners and Multilingual Learners

Chapter 8: Dynamic and Responsive Learning

Chapter 9: Professional Learning and Growing

Chapter 10: Thriving in this Profession

Reviews

Reviews

Quote by Melissa Miller, Middle School Science Educator, Randall G. Lynch Middle School, AR: "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!"
"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!"
Melissa Miller
Middle School Science Educator, Randall G. Lynch Middle School, AR
Quote by Karen Kozy-Landress, Speech/Language Pathologist, Brevard Public Schools, FL: "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."
"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."
Karen Kozy-Landress
Speech/Language Pathologist, Brevard Public Schools, FL
Quote by Renee Nealon, Elementary School Teacher, Petaluma City Schools, CA: "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."
"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."
Renee Nealon
Elementary School Teacher, Petaluma City Schools, CA
Quote by Deanna McClung, Teacher, NBCT, Elkhorn Area High School, WI: "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."
"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."
Deanna McClung
Teacher, NBCT, Elkhorn Area High School, WI
    Price: $30.95

    Review Copies

    Review copies may be requested by individuals planning to purchase 10 or more copies for a team or considering a book for adoption in a higher ed course. To request a review copy, contact sales@corwin.com.

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