This handbook addresses the concerns and needs of beginning teachers in the sequence in which they often arise. The first two sections offer a checklist of things to attend to before the beginning of school, tips on the physical and visual classroom environment, a supplies checklist, and suggestions ranging from organizing the classroom and making smooth transitions to the plan for the first day teaching. Classroom management is the focus to the next section that includes sample rules for various grade levels and hints for effective time management. The next section offers suggestions on coping with stress, provides guidance for preparation for a substitute teacher, and presents recommendations for effective parent conferences. Policy and procedural information is provided next, followed by information on the development of study groups for assisting educators in conducting/using research. A final section on resources and references includes classroom management and instructional strategy publications as well as additional resources developed for the beginning teachers and their mentors. (JD)