A paperback and Kindle e-book, described by Science Books & Films as "a great addition for any new teacher's library.... filled with lots of great tips for new teachers." (For the complete review, go to chalkdustmemories.com) Written with the beginning teacher in mind, this book tells the lessons the author wished he had as a beginning teacher. Over the course of 228 pages, the author describes mistakes made and lessons learned. Notes to a New Teacher uses a conversational writing style intended to engage and entertain the reader. The book includes 100 footnotes, which include references to articles and books, as well as humor that didn't make the cut to be in the text. Also included are 20 photos, charts and diagrams. The book describes the author's interactions with a diversity of people over the course of his career. Among the recognizable names are basketball coach John Wooden, union activist and educational visionary Albert Shanker, nationally known sportswriter Bob Ryan, and Nobel Laureate Glenn Seaborg. While the author began as a high school chemistry teacher, he would later teach physics, physical science, English and journalism. He also worked at the Harvard Graduate School of Education as a teaching practitioner, helped Massachusetts develop curriculum frameworks and accompanying assessment, and designed curriculum materials used in chemistry classrooms internationally. For a three minute TV interview with the author, go to www.chalkdustmemories.com
About the Author: Dana Dunnan grew up in a family of educators. He lived in Malone, NY, Meadville, PA, Springfield, IL, St. Paul, MN and Peabody, MA, as his father changed superintendencies every five years or so. Dunnan's two older brothers both were school administrators, one in public schools in Ohio, the other beginning in public schools and ending up in private schools. Dunnan went to high school in Minnesota, and attended Phillips Exeter Academy Summer School. He did his undergraduate work at the University of New Hampshire, where he majored in chemistry and minored in English. He received his teaching certification through a Masters' program at Stanford University. While at Stanford, he was a teaching intern at Woodside High School, in Woodside, California. He began full-time teaching at Masconomet Regional High School, in Topsfield, Massachusetts. Masconomet serves Topsfield, Boxford, and Middleton, suburban towns north of Boston. Topsfield and Boxford are among the ten wealthiest towns in Massachusetts. He lives with his wife Judy in the log cabin they built themselves, on Coles Pond, in Walden, Vermont.