Teacher Week- Teacher Talk Tuesday

I read about so many fabulous teachers yesterday through Blog Hoppin''s first day of Teacher Week.

Today is Teacher Talk Tuesday: A day dedicated to giving advice to new teachers.

I had an extremely difficult first year, and I questioned my choice to become a teacher on a weekly (if not daily) basis.  But here are the lessons that stuck with me and helped me be much more sane in the years since.

Start the year strict.

I am a secondary teacher, so I'm not sure if the primary folks are going to appreciate this tidbit, but it works in my opinion.  This was the hardest lesson for me to learn:  It's much easier to "get nicer" than to "get meaner."  If you start the year off with strict adherence to routines, procedures, rules, and expectations (and you take the time to teach them-- read Harry Wong's The First Days of School if you haven't already), the year will go so much easier.  I know it's not who you are, but acting this way in the beginning will actually allow you to be who you are for the remainder of the year.  The year when I had the strongest discipline in the beginning was the year I also had the strongest bonds with my students and it was the most enjoyable year I've ever had.

Ask!
It's insanely overwhelming in your first year, even at your first year in a new school.  Don't be afraid to ask someone about procedures.  It's less embarrassing to ask than to make a mistake!  Also, utilize the resources around you (other teachers!) when it comes to questions about curriculum, management, organization, and so on.

It's okay if it doesn't go perfectly.

Teaching is a learning process.  One thing that really got me down my first year was my disappointment when things didn't go as planned.  I'd spend lots of time planning and making resources for an activity I was super excited about, only to have it totally flop.  It's okay!  You can always try it again (you should!) or modify it-- it's not the end of the world and don't take it personally.  I learned that one of my weaknesses is assuming that some directions are self-explanatory-- that caused so many disasters.  All I had to do is try again and model while explaining the directions.

Grade for at least 30 minutes every day.

I'll be honest: I suck at grading.  I loathe it.  I find myself doing anything to avoid it.  As a result, I would put it off, only to find a larger pile waiting the next day.  Grading is essential to being an effective teacher-- if you don't grade promptly, you don't know what you're students are mastering/struggling with, and you can't quickly help them if they need it.  Make rubrics to streamline the process and force yourself to do it every day.  (Okay, maybe this little section was more for me than new teachers.  I promise I will be a grading machine this year!)

Close your door when it gets negative.

(Lock it if you need to.)

 Teaching is a very social profession, but sometimes the conversations turn negative... and tend to stay that way.  At times when you're feeling overwhelmed with negativity, just avoid it.  I can't even fathom the countless hours of work I could have accomplished during the times I was venting/listening to others vent about a lot of the same things over and over.  There are a few negative realities about the job, but focus on the positive, because there are so many positives!

Above all else, remember why you're there.

 Don't let stress or frustration distract you from your purpose.  Do your best for your students every moment! 

Make sure you head over to Blog Hoppin' and link up to share your advice!