Comments on: 10 Things A First Year Teacher Should Do http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/10-things-for-a-first-year-teacher-to-do/ Providing HOPE for educators since 2007 Wed, 13 Apr 2011 17:59:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: MeaghanMontrosehttp://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/10-things-for-a-first-year-teacher-to-do/#comment-6345 MeaghanMontrose Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:17:29 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/?p=2024#comment-6345 This is such a great list of advice. The first couple of years are very tough, but as time goes on you learn little tricks and tips to become more efficient and effective with your teaching, planning, and grading. Just be patient! This is such a great list of advice. The first couple of years are very tough, but as time goes on you learn little tricks and tips to become more efficient and effective with your teaching, planning, and grading. Just be patient!

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]]> By: Juliehttp://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/10-things-for-a-first-year-teacher-to-do/#comment-6296 Julie Wed, 30 Sep 2009 02:19:43 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/?p=2024#comment-6296 Although I am not yet a teacher, I really liked your list. The suggestions you make seem very practical, and I am going to save the list for when I am a first year teacher! Although I am not yet a teacher, I really liked your list. The suggestions you make seem very practical, and I am going to save the list for when I am a first year teacher!

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]]> By: Ms. Fhttp://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/10-things-for-a-first-year-teacher-to-do/#comment-6277 Ms. F Fri, 25 Sep 2009 15:33:01 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/?p=2024#comment-6277 I have to vote for #2. I know planning to take a day off is hectic, but mental health days are important. As someone who had "prefect attendance" her first 4 years of teaching, I can tell you it is highly overrated. TAKE DAYS OFF. You need them. it won't kill the kids if you have them do a worksheet or read a chapter or watch a movie every once in a while. I have to vote for #2. I know planning to take a day off is hectic, but mental health days are important. As someone who had “prefect attendance” her first 4 years of teaching, I can tell you it is highly overrated. TAKE DAYS OFF. You need them.

it won’t kill the kids if you have them do a worksheet or read a chapter or watch a movie every once in a while.

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]]> By: Jason Flomhttp://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/10-things-for-a-first-year-teacher-to-do/#comment-6242 Jason Flom Mon, 14 Sep 2009 15:51:36 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/?p=2024#comment-6242 Remember to enjoy the students. They are what makes teaching such a worthwhile endeavor. Every once in a while, leave the planned curriculum behind, and go "off road" with them, sniffing out a teachable or learnable moment. Unexpected, shared experiences lead to a sense of community that can last much longer than any set of facts. When all else fails (or anytime), laugh with the students. It'll remind them (and you) that learning can be a great deal of fun. Don't let "standards" get in the way of seeing each student as special and unique. "Standards" are set by people looking at populations. Teachers get to know the individuals. Remember to enjoy the students. They are what makes teaching such a worthwhile endeavor.

Every once in a while, leave the planned curriculum behind, and go “off road” with them, sniffing out a teachable or learnable moment. Unexpected, shared experiences lead to a sense of community that can last much longer than any set of facts.

When all else fails (or anytime), laugh with the students. It’ll remind them (and you) that learning can be a great deal of fun.

Don’t let “standards” get in the way of seeing each student as special and unique. “Standards” are set by people looking at populations. Teachers get to know the individuals.

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]]> By: Oraleahttp://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/10-things-for-a-first-year-teacher-to-do/#comment-6241 Oralea Mon, 14 Sep 2009 13:23:22 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/?p=2024#comment-6241 Wow... these are such great comments to a wonderful post. I'm a student teacher and it has been easy to find myself pulled down by all the stress and anxiety felt by teachers. Not to mention all the rhetoric surrounding education policy and politics. Thank you for contributing your positive voice to the dialogue about teaching... it is so very necessary and appreciated. Thank you thank you! Wow… these are such great comments to a wonderful post. I’m a student teacher and it has been easy to find myself pulled down by all the stress and anxiety felt by teachers. Not to mention all the rhetoric surrounding education policy and politics. Thank you for contributing your positive voice to the dialogue about teaching… it is so very necessary and appreciated.

Thank you thank you!

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]]> By: Nick Jameshttp://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/10-things-for-a-first-year-teacher-to-do/#comment-6235 Nick James Sun, 13 Sep 2009 20:34:01 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/?p=2024#comment-6235 I think the advice above is great and should be stuck to. I'd also like to expand on the "get to know your administration" idea- find a mentor in the school that can give you some support. I had a handful of great people offering advice and answering every question I threw their way. One was an assistant principal and the others were teachers. Make sure you ask a lot of questions and don't be afraid to ask for help. This is my second year in. One thing that my AP kept repeating was, "It gets better." It does. Stick with it, survive the first year and the next will be much better. I'm only a couple days into my second year and the difference is so stark that after school this Friday I was sitting wondering what happened, but wondering what had made the students listen to me every time they asked me to. Last year on the first Friday of the year I was sitting in my room feeling completely numb wondering why students at my school threw textbooks at one another instead of listening to adults. Listening to those who can empathize helps to. My blog is dedicated in part to first year teachers. It's http://frontlinewithwine.blogspot.com/ . I think the advice above is great and should be stuck to. I’d also like to expand on the “get to know your administration” idea- find a mentor in the school that can give you some support. I had a handful of great people offering advice and answering every question I threw their way. One was an assistant principal and the others were teachers. Make sure you ask a lot of questions and don’t be afraid to ask for help.

This is my second year in. One thing that my AP kept repeating was, “It gets better.” It does. Stick with it, survive the first year and the next will be much better. I’m only a couple days into my second year and the difference is so stark that after school this Friday I was sitting wondering what happened, but wondering what had made the students listen to me every time they asked me to. Last year on the first Friday of the year I was sitting in my room feeling completely numb wondering why students at my school threw textbooks at one another instead of listening to adults.

Listening to those who can empathize helps to. My blog is dedicated in part to first year teachers. It’s http://frontlinewithwine.blogspot.com/ .

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]]> By: Mr. Bhttp://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/10-things-for-a-first-year-teacher-to-do/#comment-6233 Mr. B Sun, 13 Sep 2009 18:19:02 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/?p=2024#comment-6233 I absolutely agree with this, and these are the moments when I become acutely aware of how much I love my job. Thank you for pointing this out. I absolutely agree with this, and these are the moments when I become acutely aware of how much I love my job. Thank you for pointing this out.

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]]> By: Joelhttp://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/10-things-for-a-first-year-teacher-to-do/#comment-6232 Joel Sun, 13 Sep 2009 18:13:20 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/?p=2024#comment-6232

Sure, some days I want to throw them out a window, but overall, I do what I do because of them, and when I’m feeling frustrated even with an entire class, I can look at individuals or other classes and remember what rockstars they are. And it helps.

I love it! Thanks for the smile. :)

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]]> By: teachin'http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/10-things-for-a-first-year-teacher-to-do/#comment-6231 teachin' Sun, 13 Sep 2009 17:22:20 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/?p=2024#comment-6231 I agree with all of these (though honestly, #2 never worked for me - it's way more stressful to me to not be there and know I'm going to have to deal with whatever happened when I come back. But I do know teachers who find those days really helpful), but can I add one? 11. Find something you love about your job. If you have something you love that you can focus on when you're feeling down, it's a lot easier to pull yourself back up. For me, it's the kids - their stories, their ridiculousness, their hope, their potential. Sure, some days I want to throw them out a window, but overall, I do what I do because of them, and when I'm feeling frustrated even with an entire class, I can look at individuals or other classes and remember what rockstars they are. And it helps. I agree with all of these (though honestly, #2 never worked for me – it’s way more stressful to me to not be there and know I’m going to have to deal with whatever happened when I come back. But I do know teachers who find those days really helpful), but can I add one?

11. Find something you love about your job. If you have something you love that you can focus on when you’re feeling down, it’s a lot easier to pull yourself back up. For me, it’s the kids – their stories, their ridiculousness, their hope, their potential. Sure, some days I want to throw them out a window, but overall, I do what I do because of them, and when I’m feeling frustrated even with an entire class, I can look at individuals or other classes and remember what rockstars they are. And it helps.

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]]> By: Mr. Bhttp://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/10-things-for-a-first-year-teacher-to-do/#comment-6230 Mr. B Sun, 13 Sep 2009 17:20:18 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/?p=2024#comment-6230 Maybe I just have a great teaching position, but I've had no problems doing most of the things on that list. (Of course, I have had problems with other things, but that's to be expected somewhat.) The things I am most grateful for as a first-year teacher, though, are a very personable and approachable principal (who is great and probably the primary reason I took this job without a moment's hesitation) and great staff who have been open to giving advice or talking things out. I also can't really fathom leaving a position during the school year, but I admittedly have not been in a situation where I've felt like it was necessary. For me, the first four weeks have been challenging in a lot of ways (I have some difficult students but not overwhelmingly so), but I keep coming back to the fact that I really have the greatest job ever. It often doesn't even really feel like a job (although it certainly takes a lot of work to be prepared). I hope that these first-year teachers are able to get there, despite the struggles. Maybe I just have a great teaching position, but I’ve had no problems doing most of the things on that list. (Of course, I have had problems with other things, but that’s to be expected somewhat.) The things I am most grateful for as a first-year teacher, though, are a very personable and approachable principal (who is great and probably the primary reason I took this job without a moment’s hesitation) and great staff who have been open to giving advice or talking things out. I also can’t really fathom leaving a position during the school year, but I admittedly have not been in a situation where I’ve felt like it was necessary.

For me, the first four weeks have been challenging in a lot of ways (I have some difficult students but not overwhelmingly so), but I keep coming back to the fact that I really have the greatest job ever. It often doesn’t even really feel like a job (although it certainly takes a lot of work to be prepared). I hope that these first-year teachers are able to get there, despite the struggles.

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