The Purple Deer and the Joy of Becoming a Teacher is a guide for people who want to make a difference in life, or who feel that something is missing in their own lives, or who want to be fulfilled by embarking on a career full of excitement and adventure. The book is aimed at established professionals contemplating a career change, new college graduates unsure of a career path, or even education majors looking for a resource to help them as they begin their teaching.
Beyond offering inspiration and encouragement, the book provides the aspiring or novice teacher a great deal of practical advice about motivating students, planning exciting lessons, managing the classroom, dealing with behavior problems, working with parents, dealing with school administrators, working with other teachers-in short, it's a guide to establishing a solid foundation on which to build a satisfying career.