First, let me say "Welcome to the Profession". You have chosen one of the most important fields to work in. I really believe all those wonderful quotes people say about teaching. You know the ones about lighting a fire and how our influence lasts long after our students leave us.
Earlier in the summer, I attended a conference and was introduced to a couple of new teachers. We chatted over our lunch and discussed the sessions we had attended. At some point, we began discussing our first year of teaching. The new teachers talked about their plans, ideas, and hopes for the first year. The experienced teachers shared tips and self-deprecating humor about their first year.
All of our tips and advice could be put into five categories.
1. Be Resourceful
There is great need in our buildings. Our resources are stretched to the max. Teachers can't wait around for an infusion of funds to place new books, supplies or technology into our laps. If you or your students need something, ask for it. The worst that can happen is you will be told "no". If told "no", get creative. Offer to pilot a new program. Write a grant. Find a sympathetic alumnus. If it is important for your classroom and students, find a way.
2. Get Connected
It is easy to make the four walls of the classroom your entire world. After all, many of us spend ten hours a day there. The truth is that this job is tough to do alone, yet many teachers are isolated--by choice or school design. Find like-minded teachers in your building and form a learning community.We need others for support and to bounce ideas off of from time to time. Don't be afraid to reach out to teachers in different subject areas or grade levels. If you don't have like-minded teachers in your building, reach out to others through social media. Many teachers use tools like Twitter and Pinterest to enhance their teaching.
3. Be Flexible
Have a plan, but know that it can be altered at any time.The Internet will go down. A water pipe will burst and flood your room and you will have to relocate your class for the day. A maintenance worker will be in your ceiling fixing your HVAC while your students work huddled in one corner of your room. A mouse will fall out of your ceiling and onto your students' desks causing complete chaos. Yes. All of those scenarios have really happened. Your day can change quickly, you need to be able to adjust and deliver instruction and care to your students.
4. Keep Learning
Despite the slowness of our schools to transition, the way students learn is changing. We have to re-imagine and re-create our curriculum to help or students learn. Likewise, we have to stay current on the culture of our students. In order to do that, we must keep learning. Read books. Attend trainings. Ask questions.
5. Get Involved
Get involved in your school community. Students love to see their teachers at their concerts, plays, and athletic matches. You not only will see a different side of your students, but you also will get to know their families better. Better yet, sponsor a club, coach a sport, or direct the choir. Interacting with students without the pressures of testing, bell schedules, and curriculum pacing is very rewarding and helps create a positive student-teacher relationship.
There are many more tips and advice I could post here, but I want my readers to weigh in. What is the best advice you were given as a new teacher?
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