Ready to start your education journey?
Contact us today to create your personalized professional development plan and bring your teaching to the next level.
Journey to Success: The Essential Guide for the First Year of Teaching
Journey to Success: The Essential Guide for the First Year of Teaching
Danica Lewis, Shannon Schultz, and Terese Weiler (Authors)
Starting your first teaching job can be both exciting and overwhelming. This comprehensive workbook, rooted in the principles of Universal Design for Learning, is your essential guide to a successful first year.
Developed by veteran educators with years of experience mentoring new teachers, this resource provides monthly modules covering critical topics such as establishing an asset-based mindset, classroom management, differentiated instruction, and work-life balance.
Each module includes:
- An overview of common "roadblocks" new teachers face and strategies to overcome them
- Recommendations for targeted professional development to build your skills
- Personal growth activities to support your well-being
- Reflection questions to foster deep learning
Whether used independently or alongside a mentor, this workbook equips you with the knowledge, mindsets, and tools to navigate the ups and downs of your first year with confidence. Packed with practical advice and inspiring stories from those who have been in your shoes, this is an indispensable companion for any new teacher.
Get ready for an incredible year - this is your roadmap to an impactful and rewarding first year in the classroom.
About the Authors
Danica Lewis has over 20 years of experience in schools, serving as an elementary teacher, an instructional coach, and later as a school and district administrator, including school building leadership, early childhood leadership, special education leadership, and curriculum & assessment leadership in urban and suburban schools. Danica led the design and implementation of a comprehensive new teacher and mentor program as both a district-level and building-level administrator. She launched and led instructional coaching in a mid-sized urban district in order to improve student learning outcomes. Danica facilitates powerful professional learning around literacy, standards-aligned instruction and assessment, rigorous teaching, instructional coaching, and leadership. In 2017, the Wisconsin Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development recognized Danica as the “Instructional Leader of the Year” for the State of Wisconsin.
Shannon Schultz is a special education teacher. Shannon currently serves as an instructional coach for teachers of students K-12. As a special education instructional coach, Shannon’s assignment includes coaching and collaborating with general educators, special educators, reading specialists, and teachers of English Language learners. This collaboration and coaching focuses on utilizing the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to provide equitable, accessible, and engaging learning opportunities for all students. Shannon also enjoys providing professional development sessions and engaging in professional book clubs focused on Universal Design for Learning.
Terese Weiler is a Gifted and Talented Instructional Coach. She has taught second through fifth grades, served as an instructional support teacher as well as a math interventionist (MRIS). Terese earned her Gifted and Talented Coordinator license through UW-Whitewater in 2017. As a GT instructional coach, she collaborates with general and special education teachers to design appropriate instruction to high ability/potential students, in grades K-12. Terese also enjoys providing professional development sessions and engaging in professional book clubs focused on Universal Design for Learning.
ENDORSEMENTS
With a strong emphasis on equity and inclusion, this workbook aligns beautifully with UDL principles. As a former Teacher Induction Coordinator, I would have definitely used this guide to support mentoring relationships and personal reflection. The QR codes provide multimodal resources, while the bite-sized monthly strategies help beginning teachers build efficient, student-led classrooms and offer guidance on self-care and balance.
Katie Novak, Author of UDL Now!, Equity by Design, and more
The first year of teaching is hard, but small adjustments can make your life easier. This book is like having a friendly colleague right next to you offering those small bits of guidance, practical tips, and promising practices. If you listen closely, every page whispers, "You've got this!"
Loui Lord Nelson, PhD. Owner, The UDL Approach and The 2024 Anne Meyer UDL Design Awardee
“Journey to Success is an invaluable guide for every first-year teacher. With 26 years of experience in education and 26 books under my belt, I can confidently say that this book equips new educators with practical strategies to tackle any roadblock. With its focus on intentional planning and an asset-based approach, it offers essential professional and personal insights. Each chapter is a step towards becoming a more effective and resilient teacher. If you're looking to thrive in your inaugural year, this guide is a must-read!”
Katie McKnight, Ph.D., Founder, Engaging Learners and Award Winning Education Author
“Journey to Success: The Essential Guide to the First Year of Teaching” is a transformative resource, grounded in real-world teaching experiences and the Universal Design for Learning framework. This is a must read for new teachers and those of us who support them.
Kari Saunders, Assistant Principal, Superior High School
"Journey to Success is a must-have for new teachers, offering invaluable insights and practical tips to make teaching less stressful and more effective. The book has a clear, reliable structure which I know every teacher will appreciate."
Leah Mermelstein, Author and Consultant
"This book is an exceptional resource for new educators, crafted with intentionality and insight. This book has been meticulously organized to provide beginning teachers with a clear, digestible framework that supports both immediate application and reflective practice. Each chapter is designed to help new teachers not only navigate the complexities of their first year but also to reflect on key characteristics essential for their success."
Maria Dyslin, Principal, One City Schools
“Journey to Success is a cornerstone for new teachers, providing high-leverage strategies grounded in research and enriched by personal stories. The authors will take you on a journey with a clear, guided roadmap to navigate the complexities of the first year of teaching, cultivating continual reflection, inspired action and empowerment every step of the way. A must-read that ensures every new teacher feels seen, understood, and equipped to thrive in their ever-changing vital role.”
Katie Novak, Author of UDL Now!, Equity by Design, and more
Journey to Success Resources
Journey to Success Appendix Resources
Access the full appendix of electronic resources for the publication, “Journey to Success: The Essential Guide for your First Year of Teaching.
.avif "Journey to Success Resources")
Journey to Success Sample Chapter
This chapter addresses the first month of the school year and dives deeply into what it means to use asset-based language.