I am currently in the process of writing my very first book for new teachers. It is going pretty well, but I keep adding details that I fear I will never finish! Teaching is something that is evolutionary and there is always something new to learn. I think I will force myself to have a deadline or else I will continue to add my newly learned lessons. (I’ll tell myself that I can save it for a Part 2 version! 🙂 ) **Update: It is finally finished. Check it out here! **
Like I have mentioned many times, I am working as a Teacher Development Coach this summer for TEACH Charlotte (TC). I love, love, love my job! In the past, I have worked for TC as a selector to hire candidates into the program and an instructor to teach them Teach Like a Champion techniques from Doug Lemov’s book. Now, I get to take these participants and coach them in the classroom during summer school. It’s a powerful experience to help a teacher become better in the moment. I did not realize how much I had learned over the years until I started coaching. Many lessons I take for granted and assume participants know, but as I share my experiences I see their face light up in realization that what they are feeling and going through is normal and that there is an easy solution on the horizon. I now can say I am addicted to not only seeing the light bulb go on with my students but also with these newbie teachers.
So, one of my participants asked me yesterday if I could shed light on what its like to be a first year teacher. We show lots of videos of professional teachers who have honed their craft over many years. Although it is helpful to see what effective teaching looks like its unrealistic to expect that perfection happens when you first step foot into the classroom (no matter how successful a teacher preparation program is).
I compiled a laundry list of helpful hints for that first year and passed it on to my participants last night. Here goes:
– practice the intro to new material section of your LP on your drive to school or as you was cleaning the house
– keep a journal (more like a list) of daily glows and grows and check back each quarter (when I did report cards, I’d review these to see if I had improved)
– you will have a CMS teacher as a mentor for your first 3 years. This person is ideally on you grade level/department so they can field lots of your questions. I chatted with them daily the first 3 weeks, once a week there after. I even could call this person in the moment if I couldn’t come up with a solution or had a question
– you will also have a TEACH Charlotte coach and have the Academy to attend so comparing stories with your fellow participants lowers stress, builds up your confidence, and is a great way to steal ideas
– set up your classroom before you leave each day so that if anything goes wrong the next morning (copier broken, long line, locked out, missing keys, traffic, etc) you’re prepared
– Take work home to have a change of scenery. Put on pjs, get a snack and relax while working. When its nice out take your work to the pool. (Many people prefer to stay in the classroom until it is all done so that when they get home they can relax, but I needed to switch it up to to keep motivated.) Plus WLB (work life balance) is huge your first year. Make time for you
– No lesson will ever be perfect, but if you are getting better each day and not making the same mistakes then you’re AWESOME
– before making anything ask teachers if they have something similar to what you want so that you do not recreate the wheel
– be honest with yourself and your principal about your goals – no one enjoys a people-pleaser or an arrogant first year teacher
– Make a copy of lesson plans so that if your principal comes in to observe and forgets to put it back you have something to refer to
– always plan for technology to go wrong, an assembly to go shorter/longer than expected and a random fire drill at any moment
– BE FLEXIBLE!
– don’t show the kids that you made a mistake, “fake it to you make it” (they have no idea what you “meant” to do)
– You’ll always remember your first class and first school so be present, take in each moment …there’s always something to learn, but a lot of great things are happening every second
– Leave your classroom key in your school mailbox (teacher workroom) so that you don’t run the risk of leaving it in your coat pocket and paying for a new one
– Don’t talk about other S to anyone, there is always someone listening
– there’s a fine line b/t being a “cool” teacher and being a “friend.” Be firm but friendly
– buy pencils…kids eat them (figuratively)
– over-communicate with parents- they’ll appreciate knowing what is going on (good, bad, ugly, indifferent) Try a monthly newsletter, weekly email or reminder text the day of (REMIND 101 allows you to make a mass text from a random number and no one can text back…LOVE IT. See my post on it
here.)
– Start off every conversation with something positive
– wear comfortable shoes, your feet will hurt
– touch the sky and touch your toes.. if your outfit stays in place its golden
– buy lamps (back to school college sale at WALMART has lots of floor lamps) because the overhead lights give S a headache, esp when looking at white paper
– incorporate music as much as possible to keep yourself sane if anything else
– make M-F folders and keep all copies per day in the folder (Thurs was my day to get all copies ready for the following week so I stayed a tad later than normal)
– never be late to a staff meeting
– watch all videos prior to showing in class
– only take pics of kids with CMS video release forms
– hang out with them at recess and lunch (you’ll learn a lot about them as people and what they might be going through… its also a TMI situation!)
– bulletin boards are effective when they are interactive and student made not pretty and store bought
– place college gear around your room to expose S to the thought of life beyond today
– build a family environment by “get to know you” activities throughout the year
– don’t teach any content day 1…teach procedures
– don’t show your personality until S earn it (a smile, high five, etc is fine), fine line remember? tread carefully.
– keep candy in your drawer- you’ll need it (Advil is the bomb as well)
– LOCK EVERYTHING when you are not in the room
– reread all emails sent and avoid REPLY ALL
– its a good day when S can tell you what they learned (don’t focus on whether you executed 100% the way planned)
– don’t use a worksheet if a student can create it themselves
– leave at buses on Friday and go out with your coworkers to celebrate (WLB right?)
– leave personal problems at the door or you can’t require the same of your S
– implement feedback immediately or you’ll never do it
– it’s not the end of the world to redo something if it didn’t work (there will be a lot of that)
– never give the same test per year or S will save and pass on to others plus it should reflect your current S’s needs
– cry when you have a bad day – if you don’t you won’t get rid of the feeling and will take it into the next day
– embrace being a first year teacher and admit mistakes (S love knowing you’re in the same boat as them!)
– get a desk calendar and write down EVERYTHING (mtg, conferences, field trips, etc) or you will miss something … it goes by so fast that you can’t possibly “remember”
… that’s all i can think of as of right now. Just know, you’ll be getting better each day. Don’t expect perfection. Take risks. Admit the progress you are making and *Have Fun*!
YOU GOT THIS! 🙂
Fellow teachers, add on to this list!
Readers, stay tuned for the extended book version coming soon!
About the author, Gretchen
I am a teacher trainer and coach. Working elbow to elbow with teachers and teacher leaders to ensure instructional proficiency and student achievement soar lights me up. We have a real need in our nation for strong educators to remain in the field. My blog, book, podcast, courses and instructional materials are geared towards empowering teachers (and those that lead them) to receive the support needed to grow and thrive today, tomorrow and always.
Awesome! Thank you for sharing. As a future educator, this list will come in handy.
You’re welcome Sharae!