You finally landed that teaching job! Now what? Principals have said for years that children who sit in the class of a first year teacher seldom learn. It is time for you to prove them wrong!
Teaching is the most difficult, stressful, time-consuming position you could have chosen. It is also the most rewarding, exhilarating, fun and worthwhile career you could have ever picked.
How do you survive the downs on the rollercoaster of teaching? Here are a few tips to get you organized for that first day and year.
Classroom Letter
This helps you as well as your students and their parents. This is where you will set your expectations for the year. Some teachers do this in the form of a handbook, I think a letter works and guarantees more that the students and parents will read it.
Describe your class. Include your preferences on appropriate clothing, snacks and lunch (if you have the kids all day), birthday celebrations, daily schedule, conference hours, arrival and departure procedures. The more informed your parents are about who you are, your expectations, etc., the easier your life and the year will run.
Monthly Calendars/Newsletters
Parents should be informed about what you are teaching every month. It keeps them involved as part of the process. The calendar or newsletter is a good way to do this. Include special dates or field trips/ themes for the week or skills you are working on. This way you have a blue print to what you want accomplished and the kids/parents know what to expect.
Make Files
In order to not repeat all the stress of your first year, it is important to keep files. Purchase at least one folder for each unit you will teach. Inside the folder, write a list of all the books and materials you need for that unit. Any thing you do during each unit, goes in the folder. Keep notes on what parts the kids liked and disliked for tweaking of lessons next time. Include a copy of your lesson plan. Take pictures of projects your class and other classes make for the unit.
Make friends
Get to know the veteran teachers well. Ask for advice, help and ideas for every unit. Teaching is not a competitive field. You want what is best for each child. Good teachers take help from the experienced. After all, they have been there for a long time for a reason. Look at their procedures, how they set up their room and do what you are comfortable with doing.
Think about Procedures/Then think again
Work out your procedures several times to make sure they are something you are comfortable with and know inside and out before the kids come. Kids need structure and routine and it is your job to provide that. Do you know how you are doing bathroom breaks? Does your school have rules on the timing? Do you know where you are putting backpacks, how the kids are going to sign-in each day, where do they get make-up work, wht are clean-up procedures, how do you want your class ran? You need to know all this and have it posted for the kids as well.
Take a deep breath and enjoy this time. The more organized you are, the less stress during the year. Take this time before you start to prepare. Don't forget to have fun. A happy teacher makes happy kids!
Veteran teachers: feel free to leave advice as well in the comment section below. You remember what it was like when you first started.
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