Dr. James A. Bryant, associate professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction and director of the Gadugi Partnership program published his third book, A Vocation at Risk: A Survival Guide for New Teachers. Released in August 2021 by Rowman and Littlefield, this book provides new teachers with a theoretical foundation for their careers while also reminding them of the idealistic, moral, and spiritual purposes of public schooling.
According to Bryant, the book is geared toward “new teachers and all those interested in education, particularly our public schools,” identifying three resources all new teachers need:
- Practical information,
- A clear outline of theory-to-practice, and
- Reminders of “why teaching”.
Bryant is “gratified and excited to see this work in print.”
“I hope and believe it will provide new teachers with the theory and the idealism they need to excel in their classrooms,” he noted.
In his review of the book, Phillip Griffin, director of Support Services at Smith County Public Schools in Marion, Virginia, said, “[Bryant’s] focus on pedagogy, fostering relationships, communication, and ethical behavior is spot-on in developing the traits associated with successful teachers.”
Bryant earned a B.A. in history from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, an M.A. in history from the College of William and Mary, and a Ph.D. in teaching and learning history from the University of North Dakota. His research areas are in American Indian history and education.
His previous publications include Curley, a novel published in 2004, and Now More Than Ever: Social Studies in the 21st Century, which examines social studies and history education in America.
A Vocation at Risk Book Cover
