By Michael D. Clark
The Cincinnati Enquirer

MADEIRA - Every profession has veterans who wish they knew way back when what they know now.

Bob Kitchen, a longtime Madeira High School teacher, recalls plenty of painful rookie-year mistakes. After 21 years in the classroom, he decided to try to help new teachers by penning a book entitled It's Your First Year Teaching, But You Don't Have To Act Like It.

Published in November by Scarecrow Education, in association with Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group, Kitchen's first book was at times painful to write.

"I went in with a drill sergeant's 'it's my way or the highway' attitude. There is an old saying among teachers about never smiling until Christmas," said Kitchen, who has spent the last 16 years teaching English to high school students in this suburban Hamilton County district.

"I learned back then that kids need to see right off the bat that you are compassionate, that you are going to be firm but fair. And I learned that you can't command student respect but that you have to earn it."

Prompted by what Kitchen describes as an alarmingly high degree of burnout among educators, the Miami University graduate wanted to pass on lessons he and his colleagues have learned.

Colleague Bob Larbes said "it would have been very helpful to have Kitchen's book a the beginning of my career.''

Thomas Koerner, vice president and editorial director of Scarecrow Education Books, said he has long been concerned about rookie teachers thrown into public or private classrooms with little or no guidance from veteran teachers.

"While teacher training institutions can prepare teachers with theory and pedagogy, I don't believe the new teacher is ever adequately prepared right out of college to face the realities of the classroom,'' Koerner said.

"Kitchen's book provides the kind of guidance that goes a long way to help new teachers jump the hurdles they experience during the their first year on the job.''

It's Your First Year Teaching, But You Don't Have To Act Like It ($19.95) can be ordered from www.amazon.com; www.barnesandnoble.com or www.scarecroweducation.com, or call (800) 462-6420.

E-mail mclark@enquirer.com