The image of an effective teacher -- "We're all in this together" -- The power of praise -- 10 ways to praise -- Setting high expectations -- An unshakable sense of trust -- Knowing the whole child -- The culture of a class -- Final thoughts on creating a positive tone -- Establishing discipline: overview -- How to be the marshal of a wild west town -- The popularity temptation -- The power of "no" -- The power of silence -- Preventative discipline: seating arrangements -- Isolate the individual: the private version -- Isolate the individual: the more public version -- Sending a student to the office -- Enlisting parent support -- The solo intervention: enough is enough -- When it is beyond your control: the mediation -- The intervention: martial law -- Planning for the year -- The power of opening days -- Expectation sheets -- Daily planning: overview -- In the beginning: before even starting a lesson plan -- Ensuring variety in a lesson plan -- The successful beginning of class: checklist -- Leading the centralized dynamic -- Small group work -- The final three minutes -- Assessment and feedback: overview -- Tests -- Grades, feedback, and comment writing -- Homework: overview -- Homework: collecting it -- Homework: correcting it -- Writing narrative comments: six critical recommendations -- Effectively managing parent conference day -- Your time, your life -- How to establish a good relationship with your supervisor -- Key people with whom to establish good relations -- Making use of outside resources -- Dealing with the child who drives us crazy -- Supporting students with learning differences -- Supporting the quiet child -- 35 steps for dealing with a difficult class -- 25 steps for dealing with difficult or angry parents -- A whisper about classroom etiquette -- What adults remember: characteristics of an effective teacher -- What students want: advice from the kids -- A note on Montessori education.