Monday, July 15, 2013

Wisdom for New Teachers

Being a new teacher, you will get lots of advice.
Here's my advice:


A mentor is essential.  Every district I have taught in assigns a mentor to a new teacher, so if your district doesn't then seek one out!
 (My mentor and I butted heads, so I found one that had a teaching style I wanted to emulate. The more mentors the better!)

Ask for clarification!
There are no stupid question.
If you are a new employee they expect you to ask questions!
Make sure you ask in advance.  If you always ask late minute questions it may make people think you aren't prepared.
(I didn't know where the "Science Room" was for two years, because I didn't ask.)

Management- There is a fine line between teacher in charge, a drill sergeant, and a friend.
As an upper elementary teacher, you want to be friendly with the kids but you aren't their friend.  Your management style will develop over time.  (You don't have to be a drill sergeant either!)

In teaching there is pressure to be a top notch teacher every day.  (After all you only have this group of students for one year.)  Just remember:
Good. Better. Best.
Never let it rest.
Until your Good is Better than Best.
You are not going to be at your best if you stay at school until late at night. (The same thing is true of taking home a giant bag of teacher stuff.)
Choose a time to stop working each night and relax.
The first year of teaching is EXHAUSTING.
Pace yourself, remember the school year is not a sprint but a marathon.

Good luck!
If you have advice for a new teacher link up to Fabulously First!
EmilyK

4 comments:

  1. This is great advice! Everyone needs a mentor. Someone to help them learn everything from copy machine rules to curriculum. :) I just found your blog and am nominating you for a Liebster award. Hop on over to my blog to check it out!
    Sara
    First Grade Funtastic

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  2. Great advice! I wish I had heard these things 11 years ago. Oh well :) Also, if you have new teachers in your building I would say that you need to help them find the answers to the questions that they don't even know they have. This will also make for a smooth year.

    :) Nicole
    Tadpole Tidbits
    www.mrscorbitt.blogspot.com

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  3. This is great advice! Isn't it funny how we think we should just know everything and not ask?! Why is that? Also - the go home and relax. SO important. Management- YEP. Mentor- YEP. :) I am your newest follower. I'd love you to stop over to my blog if you get a chance!
    Carolyn
    Kindergarten: Holding Hands and Sticking Together

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  4. Having a mentor is so important, especially to a new teacher!

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