This
month’s blog is not created with words of wisdom from me, but from educators
that have been in the field for quite some time. I have compiled a list of the 50 most
important things that a new teacher should remember as he/she enters the
field. Over the course of time, we
confront many obstacles, but in some cases we don’t have the tools to handle
them. This list is in part, a master list of advice for how to cope or keep
pushing through the rough patches. Enjoy
the first month….
1. Choose 2 days out the week to take work home.
2. Just say no!
3. Be their teacher not their friend
4.Well the first piece of advice is to be honest with your students. If you make a mistake, admit it. Let them know it's ok to mess up and you never stop learning.
5. Communication with parents (grades, take home folders) is essential.
6. Discipline plans are important for classroom management.
7. Use a timer to stay on task with teaching schedule.
8. Set up your classroom before pre-planning.
9. Befriend the janitor.
10. The first year is the hardest.
11. Collaborate with your peers. The worst thing you can do is try to be on your own island. This is a tough job...it takes the help of others. Work with your team....try to get to know them both on a professional level as well as a personal level. Being new has its advantages, you are refreshing and full of ideas. Share them....some will be resistant and that’s ok. Don’t change who you are or what you bring to the team. People will notice and appreciate your efforts.
12. Take pictures of your work! You never know when you may have to show evidence of teaching and learning practices. Take pictures of the kids being engaged, your anchor charts, record yourself. I wish I could go back and see how far I have grown. It’s a great way to reflect!
13. Get to know your students. We get caught up in data...but really take the time to know what their strengths and interests are outside of the classroom and use that as your benefit. You never know what gifts and talents they have.
14.Maintain a continuous to do list perhaps on stickies or construction paper that’s visible daily (I keep mine on my laptop).
15.Communicate with every parent the 1st couple days of school with something positive.
16.Stay out of the teachers lounge the first month then sparingly after.
17.CYA!!! Lol.
18.For new teachers and the TKES I think the most important have to include the expectation for each area on TKES...like understanding what a 3 looks like, a 4 looks like for each standard. It is overwhelming to new teachers I think not fully understanding what the true expectations when being observed.
19.I joked about CYA, but keeping records of EVERYTHING pertaining to any sst, emails, etc is a hard lesson I think most teachers learn from getting burned
20.....its ok...its gonna be overwhelming...its gonna be stressful...dont try to be an island, create a community where you share resources and ask for help.
21. Flexibility is important
22. Routines are a must
23. Teach to the standards
24. You'll have a better and less stressful weekend if you do your lesson plans before you leave on Friday. Don't wait until Sunday evening
25. Work as a team...don't think you can do it all by yourself.
26. Communicate with your parents.
27.Learn to love ❤️ meetings...lol that's the truth, but not sure you should include it.
28.Don’t listen to others who may have heard of or know your new student. Especially those students that may have had behavior issues. Come to your own conclusions based on your experiences with the child. Don't go in with preconceived notions based on someone else's opinion. It's hard but holds true.
29.Get to know your students’ "stories". That goes a long way in you understanding their emotional / academic needs.
30. Look beyond their exterior, push through to that place within that makes them tick. If you show you care, children will respond to that.
31.Ask for help, collaborate to give and receive support.
32. Set daily/weekly expectations and chart a path as to how you plan to meet those expectations. The goals do not have to be lofty....they must however be realistic.
33. A must... use a planner...to keep you organized.
34.It's ok to stop a lesson that doesn't seem to be working, no matter how much you planned for it. Sometimes you " just have to fix your ponytail and try again".☺
35. Collaborate with your colleagues. Together anything is possible.
36. Study your lesson plans thoroughly and look for other resources to help understand the lessons. (YouTube, Teacher Tube, etc.) Trainings doesn't mean you got it you have to practice, practice, practice and you will get it.
37. Flow in your lane of teaching and don't try and adopt everyone's materials. Try and use PowerPoints w/differentiated slides, reviews, practices, etc.
38. Self-reflect frequently and track your glows and grows then create a check off list to correct areas that need improvements. Watch other veterans teach and ask All kinds of questions.
39. Know and become familiar with the services that are available for students at the school.
40. Establish and maintain discipline in your classroom.
2. Just say no!
3. Be their teacher not their friend
4.Well the first piece of advice is to be honest with your students. If you make a mistake, admit it. Let them know it's ok to mess up and you never stop learning.
5. Communication with parents (grades, take home folders) is essential.
6. Discipline plans are important for classroom management.
7. Use a timer to stay on task with teaching schedule.
8. Set up your classroom before pre-planning.
9. Befriend the janitor.
10. The first year is the hardest.
11. Collaborate with your peers. The worst thing you can do is try to be on your own island. This is a tough job...it takes the help of others. Work with your team....try to get to know them both on a professional level as well as a personal level. Being new has its advantages, you are refreshing and full of ideas. Share them....some will be resistant and that’s ok. Don’t change who you are or what you bring to the team. People will notice and appreciate your efforts.
12. Take pictures of your work! You never know when you may have to show evidence of teaching and learning practices. Take pictures of the kids being engaged, your anchor charts, record yourself. I wish I could go back and see how far I have grown. It’s a great way to reflect!
13. Get to know your students. We get caught up in data...but really take the time to know what their strengths and interests are outside of the classroom and use that as your benefit. You never know what gifts and talents they have.
14.Maintain a continuous to do list perhaps on stickies or construction paper that’s visible daily (I keep mine on my laptop).
15.Communicate with every parent the 1st couple days of school with something positive.
16.Stay out of the teachers lounge the first month then sparingly after.
17.CYA!!! Lol.
18.For new teachers and the TKES I think the most important have to include the expectation for each area on TKES...like understanding what a 3 looks like, a 4 looks like for each standard. It is overwhelming to new teachers I think not fully understanding what the true expectations when being observed.
19.I joked about CYA, but keeping records of EVERYTHING pertaining to any sst, emails, etc is a hard lesson I think most teachers learn from getting burned
20.....its ok...its gonna be overwhelming...its gonna be stressful...dont try to be an island, create a community where you share resources and ask for help.
21. Flexibility is important
22. Routines are a must
23. Teach to the standards
24. You'll have a better and less stressful weekend if you do your lesson plans before you leave on Friday. Don't wait until Sunday evening
25. Work as a team...don't think you can do it all by yourself.
26. Communicate with your parents.
27.Learn to love ❤️ meetings...lol that's the truth, but not sure you should include it.
28.Don’t listen to others who may have heard of or know your new student. Especially those students that may have had behavior issues. Come to your own conclusions based on your experiences with the child. Don't go in with preconceived notions based on someone else's opinion. It's hard but holds true.
29.Get to know your students’ "stories". That goes a long way in you understanding their emotional / academic needs.
30. Look beyond their exterior, push through to that place within that makes them tick. If you show you care, children will respond to that.
31.Ask for help, collaborate to give and receive support.
32. Set daily/weekly expectations and chart a path as to how you plan to meet those expectations. The goals do not have to be lofty....they must however be realistic.
33. A must... use a planner...to keep you organized.
34.It's ok to stop a lesson that doesn't seem to be working, no matter how much you planned for it. Sometimes you " just have to fix your ponytail and try again".☺
35. Collaborate with your colleagues. Together anything is possible.
36. Study your lesson plans thoroughly and look for other resources to help understand the lessons. (YouTube, Teacher Tube, etc.) Trainings doesn't mean you got it you have to practice, practice, practice and you will get it.
37. Flow in your lane of teaching and don't try and adopt everyone's materials. Try and use PowerPoints w/differentiated slides, reviews, practices, etc.
38. Self-reflect frequently and track your glows and grows then create a check off list to correct areas that need improvements. Watch other veterans teach and ask All kinds of questions.
39. Know and become familiar with the services that are available for students at the school.
40. Establish and maintain discipline in your classroom.
41.Routines and procedures are key.
42.Do not be afraid to make mistakes and seek help from your peers, students and parents.
43.Stay ahead of paperwork and prioritize it.
44.Contact parents for good and bad, celebrate the little things, ASK QUESTIONS even if you think you know.
45.Documentation through email is important.
46.Know who you are and know your worth.
47.Connect with seasoned teacher(s) that will groom you professionally.
48.Love all of your students.
49.Do a 2x10. Spend 2 mins. a day for 10 days getting to know that “hard to reach” kid. Ask them about life outside of school (their family, soccer game, favorite show). Get to know their likes/dislikes. This helps to build a relationship with the child. And this helps you to get to know the child on another level.
50.Always start a difficult conversation with a parent with positive attributes about the child. This helps to lower their defenses. And there’s positives in every child.
51.Don’t forget we are also responsible for the social/emotional well-being of our students. Take the time to teach life lessons and communication skills. Teach the “total” child.
42.Do not be afraid to make mistakes and seek help from your peers, students and parents.
43.Stay ahead of paperwork and prioritize it.
44.Contact parents for good and bad, celebrate the little things, ASK QUESTIONS even if you think you know.
45.Documentation through email is important.
46.Know who you are and know your worth.
47.Connect with seasoned teacher(s) that will groom you professionally.
48.Love all of your students.
49.Do a 2x10. Spend 2 mins. a day for 10 days getting to know that “hard to reach” kid. Ask them about life outside of school (their family, soccer game, favorite show). Get to know their likes/dislikes. This helps to build a relationship with the child. And this helps you to get to know the child on another level.
50.Always start a difficult conversation with a parent with positive attributes about the child. This helps to lower their defenses. And there’s positives in every child.
51.Don’t forget we are also responsible for the social/emotional well-being of our students. Take the time to teach life lessons and communication skills. Teach the “total” child.
