This is the only introduction to teaching text that is specifically built around the new Texas standards for teacher certification. Although there are many excellent introductory teaching texts, none of these are matched precisely to the Texas teacher certification standard. There are several practice TExES books, but they are short on theory. Nath and Cohen combine both, so not only will students pass the Texas certification text, they will also learn a great deal about good teaching practice.

Dr. Janice L. Nath serves as a University of Houston - Downtown faculty member in the Department of Urban Education. She served as the Coordinator for Elementary Education, Director of the PUMA TRACS Program for Post Baccalaureate Teacher Certification, Assistant Director of the Internship Program, and headed a Professional Development School (PDS) site for many years in her former position at the University of Houston. She has been actively involved in field-based teacher education for many years, formerly serving as the chair and program chair of the AERA (American Education Research Association) Professional Development School Research Special Interest Group (PDSR SIG) and as the president of the Teacher Coordinators for Teacher Certification Testing (formerly known as the ExCET Coordinators Association of Texas). She has co-edited BECOMING A TEACHER IN TEXAS, BECOMING AN EC-4 TEACHER IN TEXAS, and FORGING ALLIANCES IN COMMUNITY AND THOUGHT: RESEARCH IN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SCHOOLS.Myrna D. Cohen is a faculty member in the Department of Urban Education at the University of Houston-Downtown and serves as the Director of the Center for Professional Development and Technology. She is currently chair-elect of the Consortium of State Organizations of Texas Teacher Educators (CSOTTE). She is past president of Texas Directors of Field Experience and has served as an officer and board member of CSOTTE. She also served for several years as co-editor of the Texas Teacher Education Forum and as a board member of Texas Teacher Educators (TTE). Dr. Cohen was Director of Field Experiences and Coordinator of Secondary Education in her previous position at the University of Houston-Main Campus. Her areas of interest include teacher education, second language education, and student-centered strategies such as cooperative learning. She is co-author of the assessment monograph for the Reconstructing Texas Teacher Education Series published for the Texas State Board for Educator Certification. She also co-edited BECOMING AN EC-4 TEACHER IN TEXAS. In addition to undergraduate and graduate university-level teaching, Dr. Cohen has had 15 years of classroom teaching experience encompassing grades 2-12.

COMPETENCY 1. 1. Understanding Human Development. Stephanie L. Knight, Robin A. Rackley, Texas A and M University, College Station. COMPETENCY 2. 2. Appreciating Human Diversity. Eileen R. Westerman, University of Houston; Janice L. Nath, University of Houston-Downtown; Myrna D. Cohen, University of Houston-Downtown; Emilliano Gonzalez, University of St. Thomas; Gena Jerkins University of Houston. COMPETENCY 3. Part 1. 3. Selection of Instructional Goals and Objectives. Janice L. Nath, University of Houston-Downtown. Part 2. 4. Selection of Instructional Goals and Objectives. Janice L. Nath, University of Houston-Downtown. COMPETENCY 4. Part 1. 5. Learning Theories and Processes. Sandy Cmajdalka, University of Houston-Downtown. Part 2. 6. Learning Theories and Processes. Sandy Cmajdalka, University of Houston-Downtown. COMPETENCY 5. Part 1. 7. The Case for Teacher Enthusiasm and High Expectations. Myrna D. Cohen, University of Houston-Downtown. Part 2. 8. Maintaining a Physical and Emotional Environment that is Safe and Productive. Angela Spaulding, West Texas A and M University. COMPETENCY 6. Part 1. 9. Managing Classroom Routines. Diane Mullins Clay, University of St. Thomas-Houston. Part 2. 10. Managing Student Behavior. Terry Brandt, University of St. Thomas-Houston. COMPETENCY 7. 11. Communicating Effectively. Myrna D. Cohen, University of Houston-Downtown. COMPETENCY 8. Part 1. 12. Designing Coherent Instruction. Janice L. Nath, University of Houston-Downtown. Part 2. 13. Motivation. Sandy Cmajdalka, University of Houston-Downtown. COMPETENCY 9. 14. Technology: K-4. Mary E. Parker, West Texas A and M University. COMPETENCY 10. Part 1. 15. Using a Variety of Appropriate Assessment Techniques to Provide Feedback and Monitor Student Progress. Pam Lindsey, Tarleton State University. Part 2. 16. Flexibility, Responsiveness, and Effective Feedback. Veronica Lopez Estrada, Isela Almaguer, University of Texas- Pan American. COMPETENCY 11. 17. Interacting and Communicating with Families. Jennifer L. Martin, JoAnn Engelbrecht, Lillian Chenoweth, Texas Womans University. COMPETENCY 12. 18. Interacting and Communicating with Other Educators and Contributing to the School and District. Donna Cunningham, Lin Moore, Texas Womans University. COMPETENCY 13. 19. Legal and Ethical Requirements and the Structure of Education. Gary R. Clay, Houston Baptist University. 20. Study and Test-Taking Skills: Preparing for and Taking the Test. Janice L. Nath, University of Houston-Downtown; Cynthia G. Henry, formerly of University of Houston.