Tips for a first year teacher?

Message edited 7/30/2013 2:29:51 PM.

Re: Tips for a first year teacher?

I think you can get through it! Teaching is physically exhausting (which I don't think many people understand). Go to bed earlier, but also try to eat well and get in a little exercise (that always helps my spirits and helps me clear my thoughts)


I lucked out that I started teaching as a team (someone was transferred to my school after being excessed and they didn't have anywhere to put her, so they paired her with me - the newbee), but even after they spread classes out and I was on my own, I ALWAYS 9and still do) lean on my coworkers. Turn to them for help (if you can find someone who is kind)

As for parents - something I started early in my teaching (and not sure if it kept parents at bay) was positive feedback. Who doesn't like getting good phone calls home.

Re: Tips for a first year teacher?

You can do it!!!!!

My 1st year teaching was THE WORST!!! I had to take over a class that was out of control...it was horrible!!! Everyday, I went home with a headache and questioned being a teacher. I did this until I saw how much I helped them learn and how rewarding it is to be a teacher.... I really loved it.

It was tough getting used to everything that comes with being a teacher and can def. be overwhelming- it still is for me...4 yrs later.... you just learn how to deal with it and how to manage your time.

I do my lesson plans and most of my paperwork AT SCHOOL during my prep periods and lunch. Id rather work straight than to bring work home. I used to do this- and was never able to relax. The only time during the year that I really bring stuff home is when Im doing report cards.

Good luck... just hang in there. It WILL get better and it will become easier when you get used to everything!

Re: Tips for a first year teacher?

It's you first year, nothing will be perfect, you will make mistakes because you are human. The point is to learn from them. I cried a lot my first year to and thought what did I get myself into? Heck I cried my second year too!

I agree with the above poster and find a friend in the school who maybe can be your ally and get you though the ropes. You'll need other teachers to lean on for support because the first year is hard. And of course you always have us on LIF

It's ok to cry and feel frustrated, you'll have really good days and really bad days.

Many

I also taught 3rd grade last year so if you need any help on ideas I'm only an FM away

Re: Tips for a first year teacher?

Hey Michelle!! FM me... Hope you're having a restful weekend

Re: Tips for a first year teacher?

Definitely, definitely do good phone calls. Not only will it help you with the parents but it will also help YOU see the positives.

Also, devote one weekend day to lesson planning, grading, etc. That will give you one day to do nothing. Don't let yourself EVER feel guilty for not doing work at home. Give yourself a break. Always have an emergency plan just in case you can't function one day. Sometimes, I would do sudoku or like a problem of the week for a day.

And last but not least, use this board. I wish had it during my first year.

Re: Tips for a first year teacher?

Hang in there- By December you will get the swing of things and things will fall into place!!! Like someone mentioned already- make sure you eat right- exercise a bit (maybe take a walk or something) and go to sleep early!!!

Re: Tips for a first year teacher?

hugs i hope it gets better

Re: Tips for a first year teacher?

Hi,
Last year was my first year of teaching and I have to say, it is rough. I had all the same questions in my head that you did, but you will get through it. Just do the best you can.......... plan everything, organize everything and you won't be so overwhelmed. Everyone used to tell me the first year is your most difficult year, cause you really don't know what to expect, and I couldn't agree with them more. With every day that passes, you will become less nervous and have more confidence. This is my second year and I feel a million times less anxious and nervous than last year. I made it through. Good luck with everything!!! You will do a great job!

Re: Tips for a first year teacher?

TIME MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION IS KEY!!!!!!


Honestly it might sound like obvious 'cliche' advice for a teacher..... but it's SO true. When I manage my time well, I DON'T bring work home with me!! And that makes a HUGE difference!!!! Life altering, even. I do all I can to make sure my preps are productive and things get taken care of AT WORK.

Also, organization. When my room/desk/books/handouts/etc. are organized, it makes me feel like I literally just have to go in and teach and it feels so simple! I was a mess last year an had no organization strategies..... it always made me feel 'scatterbrained'

I found one thing that helped was throwing out papers I know I don't need. I had a bad habit last year of hoarding papers I MIGHT need...... now I just throw it all in the recycling bin. I learned my lesson last June when I was throwing things out at the end of the year from September that I thought I would need by never did!

You would be amazed how much random papers can just accumulate! It's like a disease!

Re: Tips for a first year teacher?

At the end of my first year, I had to write a letter to a new teacher as part of my mentoring. I saved it, so here it goes...

Dear New Teacher,

Congratulations! You are a teacher! Has that sunk in yet? It will be overwhelming but amazing and one day, while you are driving home, it will occur to you that you are indeed a teacher and you will feel excitement, fear and delirium all at once. But you are part of an amazing profession and yes, the journey you are taking is going to be bumpy. I will not lie. It will be a long, winding, twisting, pothole filled road with scary monsters lurking in the woods on the side. But once you get past the fork in the road, the part of your career when you ask yourself “What have I done?” the road will suddenly be smooth, with flowers growing along the side just for you, lemonade stands just for you, sunshine just for you. Basically, I’m telling you it will be hard. Sometimes a lot harder than you could have imagined. But it gets better. I promise. One day, you will feel like instead of taking one step forward, ten steps back, it is the reverse. And one day, you won’t be staying up until 11 pm planning. You won’t have to stay after school until 5:30. It will get better.

So, advice…you want advice? Become the most anal-retentive, organized person you can imagine. Keep a lesson planner and write in pencil. My little trick is this. I got the little post it notes and write my lessons on those so if there is a change in my schedule, I can just move a post it instead of erasing and crossing out. I also keep a daily calendar for my to do lists. Keep them simple. Make copies ahead of time and keep them in a little tickler file for the week ahead. Or, if you want to get even MORE retentive, get a small crate and 33 files folders. Number them 1-31, to copy, monthly. Keep copies that you will use on Oct. 10th in the file marked the 10th. It helps!
Or if you are giving the copies in to be copied by the aides, make sure you keep the original. Things get lost. Buy contact paper. Laminate everything! Write your name in your books. Ask questions! Go to the dollar store for the little things…clothes pins, notebooks (buy extras for the kids who will never ever afford them), pens, pencils, little trinkets, cups, tissues, napkins, a hanger for your coat, white out, baskets, brooms, etc, etc. Get the staples teacher rewards card. Go to used book stores and buy old children books. Go to garage sales for books, too. Become friendly with the internet. Plan. PLAN PLAN PLAN!!! Get into the habit of planning once a week for a couple of hours. Use your preps and lunches wisely! Make a to do list and do it. Plan during your preps, make copies during lunch. Save your lessons and planners. You never know where you will be in 10 years. Make friends with the custodians and aides! Be really nice to them! Be firm and consistent with the kids, but let them know you are there for them. Teach them to be nice. Read to them and talk to them. Keep a candy/snack drawer in your desk. Sometimes, lunch doesn’t come quick enough so get some sucking candies. This is your little stash. Also, keep a nail file, lip balm and hand cream in your desk. Get one of those chalk holders. And there are these really cool staple removers that are the size of a pen…get one!!! Put your name on everything! File immediately notes and flyers. Go out for lunch sometimes. Go to the bathroom when you think of it. You never know! Make emergency sub plans and one day...follow them. You may have a day when you just don't feel good and need to do something with them. Leave on Fridays with a clean desk and a washed board. Use the kids!!! Seriously, put them to work, especially at the end of the year. When it comes to book baskests, put the category IN the book, too, so the kids know where books go. This is a time when you should USE the kids.

I could go on but the letter would be very long. The biggest thing I can say is this…be as organized as possible and have a bag of tricks. The kids will not know if things go wrong if you don’t let them see it. So stay cool. Act! Lie! Well, more like pretend. They don’t know! Have fun! And know that everyone has experienced the feelings you are feeling right now, so don’t be afraid to ask for help. Some of your colleagues won’t want to help. But when you find the one who will, let him or her know how much it means to you. Anyway, much luck and remember, just making one kids life a bit better will make it all worth it! So be the teacher who just makes school safe and good and everything else will fall into place!

Re: Tips for a first year teacher?

One of the best things I've found is to always use the people around you. If you're not sure of something ask for help. Its so much better (and easier) than screwing up.

Re: Tips for a first year teacher?

Teaching is a truly rewarding profession; however, we often don't see the rewards until we have to opportunity to look back on what we've accomplished and who we have helped. Don't beat yourself up. You will make mistakes this year, but you will also touch lives and have positive impacts on a child's life. A professor in grad school told me this: the first year of teaching is a about survival, the second is when you develop classroom management, and the third is when you finally have a firm grasp on your own technique. Someone else posted to make friends at your school--that social network will become invaluable as both a resource of support and professional critique. One more piece of advice--utilize every moment of your prep periods, have a plan for what you will accomplish during those times and see that it is done. It's a wonderful feeling to get through a stack of papers that need to be graded, update a bulletin board, etc. and it's one less thing that you'd have to stay at school late for--which I NEVER advise doing!