“Every new teacher longs for a mentor—someone to guide them through the exhilarating, daunting, and transformative first years in the classroom. Navigating the First Years serves as that mentor, blending real-world wisdom, practical strategies, and heartfelt storytelling to help educators find their footing with confidence. With a strong focus on equity, cultural responsiveness, and personal well-being, Bustamante empowers teachers to create inclusive, engaging learning environments while sustaining their passion and purpose. This book can also serve as your mentor, your trusted companion, source of inspiration, and steady guide—reminding you why you chose this incredible profession, helping you navigate challenges, offering clear direction, and reinforcing the profound impact you can have every single day.”

John Hattie, Professor Emeritus, Melbourne Education Research Institute at the University of Melbourne, Australia

“As an instructional coordinator, I highly recommend Navigating the First Years to any new teacher. This book is packed with practical strategies, toolkit tactics, and an implementation tracker to help you be mindful of how you use the tactics in your classroom. The 'Author’s Corner' provides real-life examples from experienced educators, making the advice relatable and easy to apply. With its focus on equity, well-being, and building an inclusive learning environment, this book is like having a mentor by your side, giving you the tools and support to guide you through your first years of teaching.”

Rhonda Hewitt, Instructional Coordinator, Mat-Su Borough School District, AK

"This book is a compendium of knowledge that discusses virtually everything you ever wanted to know about teaching. It will be of particular interest to beginning teachers, but even seasoned educators will find helpful ideas. I wish I had such a book when I began my teaching career. It speaks to me like a mentor’s handbook. I particularly like the first-hand accounts of practicing educators who have lived what they advocate and the culturally responsive practices. As in days gone by, this can be a challenge to teachers unfamiliar with Indigenous communities or schools with students from other countries, which is certainly the case in city schools. I believe we learn much by watching fantastic teachers, which practicing teachers enjoy whenever possible. The first-hand accounts presented in the book do in part fulfill that need. In summary, this book presents a treasure chest of useful suggestions for teachers navigating their first years."

Verna J. Kirkness, Fisher River Cree Nation, Manitoba, CAN

"If ONLY I had a guide like this to support me through my own personal journey as a teacher in my early years! The strategic, thoughtful and intentional tools offered in this book are a gift to anyone who is beginning their educator journey and gives them the affirmation and reminders they need to step into their worth and uniqueness in their own classroom communities. I know they say 'you can't teach an old dog new tricks,' but THIS old teacher added some things to her own personal toolbox! This is a guide for us all to use as we promote inclusion, community, and collaboration in our own classrooms."

Laurie McIntosh, Kindergarten Teacher, Speaker, Author, Outside Pin Consulting, Alberta, CAN