McEwan, Elaine K.

Describes a variety of memorable teachers, and identifies ten traits selected by the author as characteristic of effective teachers, including personal, teaching, and intellectual traits, each with suggested questions administrators may use when interviewing prospective teachers.

Offers teachers effective strategies to help them use the first three weeks of school to teach Routines, Rubrics, and Rules, which will lead to higher student achievement throughout the remaining thirty-three weeks of school.

The author shares strategies she developed as a school principal for dealing with parents who were out of control; discusses issues that cause misunderstandings in schools; describes a foolproof problem-solving process; and offers advice on developing a supportive and involved parent community.