The inspiration for this book came from the old saying used in medical schools: "If you hear hoof beats, think horses, not zebras." It was used in response to medical students who looked for exotic diagnoses for basic illnesses.

Some teachers fall into the same trap. We look for the latest quick fix to help us deal with the ever-increasing challenges we face with today's students. The pressure to find an immediate solution that proves our students are learning, which is usually measured by a test score, outweighs a focus on long-term growth. Throughout this book our focus will be on the foundational, basic strategies that can assist you in developing a motivating classroom for your students. We'll be discussing the basic strategies, or hoof beats, you can integrate into everyday instruction into every subject area and across grade levels, rather than on buying a program that will fix the problem.

I'd like to address my biases up front. I am a huge believer in teachers. The daughter of a teacher and a school secretary, I taught in elementary and junior high schools; I taught beginning swimming to preschoolers and lifeguard training to high school and college students. Now I teach teachers in a graduate program at a university. Between my teaching experiences, I worked for three educational publishing companies.

I learned a critical lesson during that time: The best program in the wrong hands won't make a difference, and the worst program in the hands of a great teacher can be astounding. The solution to many of the challenges you face is not purchasing the latest program; it is a focused effort to provide your students an environment in which they can thrive.

This book does not provide you with a lockstep program, nor is it a checklist. It is a set of recommended actions that, when persistently and consistently applied, will positively impact your classroom climate. Motivation, as in the medical saying, is not exotic; it is basic, in fact as basic as ABC. As you read, you'll find 26 chapters, one for each letter of the alphabet. The chapters are not sequential, they are designed so you can start with any area that interests you or that meets a current need.

Throughout the chapters you will read stories of how teachers help their students succeed. In addition to learning about my experiences, you'll meet teachers of all ages, from preschool to college and from a variety of subject areas such as language arts, science, math, social studies, and band. The stories serve as lampposts; guiding you to new directions for your classroom.

You'll also hear the voices of students, whose names have been changed in most instances to protect their privacy. I love talking with students; they are in many ways our best teachers. If they believe you respect them and are truly listening to them, they will tell you anything you want to know.

I hope you connect with your students in new and exciting ways as you apply the strategies in each chapter and that you will also feel renewed and refreshed. As I meet teachers across the nation, I am saddened at the weariness I see. If you are tired, or if you have picked up this book because you don't feel valued as a teacher, turn to Chapter Y, You are the Key. Read it first and be reminded of your significance. Then, take a deep breath and dive into the rest of the book.

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