This popular, motivational introduction to the field of education and the roles of today's teachers focuses on four main aspects of teaching: general characteristics of the profession; various needs of today's learners; approaches to management, teaching, and assessment; and, influences of technology, philosophy, sociology, and history on today's educators. Guided by these well-known authors' belief that “this book is only the beginning,” coverage exhibits a realistic emphasis on the topics that will be of particular concern to novice teachers. Numerous projects throughout the material actively engage readers in text content, while the special features encourage reflection, analysis, and self-discovery.