Lynne Marie Rominger - Your First Year as a High School Teacher: Making the Transition from Total Novice to Successful Professional

Lynne's Acknowledgments

F IRST, I thank God for giving me the gift of writing. I would also like to thank my children, Nickolaus, Sophia, Faith, and Hope, for their love and patience while I wrote. Liz Chmielewski again deserves thanks for always, always, always being there whenever I needed her support. My love and thanks also go out to Pashko Gjonajyou believe in my talent and always push me to excellence; I am so grateful that you are in my life. Thank you Jamie Miller, Shawn Vreeland, DeAnne Ip, and publisher Ben Dominitz at Prima for believing in these books. I thank all my colleagues, both teachers and administrators, who contributed to my education as a new teacherespecially Natalie Elkin, Suzanne Laughrea, Ramona Slack, Jesslyn Kars, Brandon DellOrto, Anthony Davis, Jeff Kirkpatrick, Greg Holmes, Lynne Guerne, Tamara Givens, Jess Borjon, Kathleen Sirovy, Mike McGuire, Ron Severson, John Montgomery, Scott O'Connor, and Patrick Godwin. Thank you also to the many teachers all over the nation who offered their stories and anecdotes.

I must give reverence and thanks to all my fantastic Oakmont High School teachers: All Hail Oakmont High! Thanks go out to Scott Mohlenbrok, whose antics in high school at Oakmont as my classmate drive many of my examples during lessons and who shares an appreciation and love for Melanie Godwin with me. Of course, thanks go out to all the wonderful students I've had the opportunity to teach thus far. Thank you everyone in my very first classes everfirst period English 9 (First and Second Term 19992000) at GBHS. Thank you everyone in Yearbook, and fifth and sixth period English 9 at RHS (19992000). Thank you to all my students this yearall my freshmen, sophomores, and juniorsfor really cementing why I love teaching so much; you make me laugh and learn and make it easy to get up every morning and teach. You're all the best! Finally, thank you Melanie Godwin. There is not a day that goes by in my classroom that I don't miss you. Your spirit is with me, I'm sure!

Suzanne's Acknowledgments

I D LIKE to thank all the teachers I have had in my life from my parents and sisters to my teachers at Dunsmore Elementary, Clark Junior High, Crescenta Valley High School, Pepperdine University, and currently the University of California, Davis. Also, a special thanks to all the teachers I have been fortunate to work with at Agoura High School, Oakmont High School, and Granite Bay High School. So many of you have shared with me your passion for teaching and concern for students. I would especially like to acknowledge Gary Stringfellow, Linda Dickson, and Sybil Healythree outstanding history teachers who have allowed me to grow as an English teacher while team-teaching with them. They have also taught me so much about history and about how to get students involved with research, projects, and simulations.

Other teachers who have had a special impact on who I am and how I teach are Stephanie Sanchez-Graham, Judy Dobrowski, Doug Litten, Victoria Doi, Dr. James Atteberry, Jo Robertson, Tamara Givens, Kelly Kerns, and Ann Freelove. They have shared lessons that work, projects that transformed through years of reflection, and ideas that encourage students to engage in their learning.

In terms of providing time, financial backing and moral support I have had a number of administrators who deserve sincere thanks too. Don Genasci, Ron Severson, Alec Ostrom, Mike Mc Guire, Kathleen Sirovy, Jess Borjon, and Debi Pitta have all been instrumental in encouraging me to develop teacher training opportunities and the freedom to work on new curricular ideas.

My family has selflessly held our home together while I have worked on this book, spending far too much time in my office and on the phone. David has allowed me to work while he races the boys to practice, to birthday parties, and to games. Jimmy and Matt have patiently played, waiting for me to finish one more page, one more interview. You all teach me so much about being a family and supporting one another.

My students over the past two decades have taught me something valuable each and every day that I am in the classroom. You have made me question what I teach and why I teach. You have reflected on projects, grades, writing, and debates, and you encourage me to reflect on all that I do. Thank you for being my teachers too. You are the reason why I remain in the classroom doing what I love to do: teaching.

Natalie's Acknowledgments

I WOULD never have chosen this profession if it wasn't for the exceptional education I received from Mariemont through UC Santa Barbara and CSU Stanislaus. Some teachers who fostered my love for learning, reading, and writing were Mrs. Collins at Mariemont, Mr. Rothschiller at Arden, Mrs. Kirby, Mrs. Gatewood, and Mr. Lawrence at Rio Americano, and Professor Gardener at UCSB.

In addition to my own education, I have been blessed with the opportunity to work with some of the most caring and outstanding teachers in the profession. Kem Shrum at Winton Middle School was a dynamic and positive master teacher. At Sam Brannan Middle School, Ruth Seo and Dianna Shoop were incredibly generous with their lesson plans and patient with my mistakes. Thank you Cheryl Maciel for helping me get my first teaching job! At Granite Bay High School (GBHS), I have found a supportive environment in which to improve my abilities. I would first like to thank Laura Bellino, Jesslynn Kars, Jason Sitterud, and Burnel Pinkerton for helping me survive my first year at GBHS. Ron Severson, Mike McGuire, Kathleen Sirovy, and Jess Borjon have been both extremely supportive and encouraging during my years at GBHS and for that I am grateful. From the English department, particularly Ramona Slack and Suzanne Laughrea, I have gained many new strategies, ideas, tools, and skills as well as a great deal of support. To Lynne Guerne, Janelle Mefford, Lynne Rominger, Lauren Harmon, and Bridget McKeag, thanks for listening!

Each one of my beloved students has made an impact on me and it is their inquisitive minds, easy smiles, and hard work that bring me back every day. They make each day different, new, and challenging and I am a better person and teacher because of them. I often think that I learn more from them than they from me.

However, the best and most influential teachers of all are my parents. They are my biggest fans and staunchest supportersthank you! David, thank you for your eternal enthusiasm, and Christy, Ani, and Jennifer, thanks for you love, laughter, and support.