When I first started teaching, I was like most first year teachers… idealistic and ready to change the world. The reality is that teaching is tough, but it is also very rewarding. Every new school year during inservice, veteran teachers are asked to share their wisdom with ‘brand new to teaching’ teachers. My tips are not about technology tips or the top items that you need for your classroom. I’m not about all the fluff. I’m offering some good-old fashioned advice based on my experiences. So… let’s get started.
1. Don’t try to do ‘all the things’.
You will be be expected to serve on a committee or two. If you are given the option to sign up for the committee of your choice, choose one that interests you or that you can learn from. Your number one priority as a teacher is to teach, and as a first year teacher this should be your focus.
If you sign up for, or try to implement too many extra activities, you may be setting yourself up for serious burnout. As you get more experience under your belt you can tackle more of the ‘extras’.
2. Your room doesn’t have to be Pinterest worthy.
Let me say it again. Your room does not have to be Pinterest worthy. What matters is that your students enter a room that is welcoming and inviting. Don’t get me wrong… if decorating is your thing then go for it. But if it’s not your thing (it’s definitely not mine 👀) then just keep it simple. Your students are still going to learn! One tip I’ve learned is to let student work and posters decorate your room. They’ll love it and will feel increased ownership for their classroom and their learning!
3. Understand (and accept) that you are going to make mistakes.
We all make mistakes. I’ve been teaching for thirty years, and I still make mistakes… I’m human. The important thing is that we learn from our mistakes and move on. If you make a mistake, own it and if necessary, apologize. A simple apology goes a long way.
4. Make time for yourself.
There have been years where I was burning the candle at both ends, and I put my own self-care on the back burner. Teaching is hard work, and we are expected to do a lot. Here are a few tips:
- Try to get your work done at school... this is a tough one, but it can be done. I no longer take any work home with me. I use my planning period and a bit of time after school to get stuff done.
- Not every assignment needs to be graded. If your administrator tells you that you need two grades per week, then record two grades (just make sure they are meaningful grades).
- Spend your time outside of school with your loved ones and exploring your interests. Personally, I have a few creative outlets that bring me a lot of satisfaction. I quilt and garden, and I love to make jams and salsas. I find that when I can spend quality time with my family and doing the things I love, then my stress level is easier to handle and I have a better attitude.
5. Find someone you can talk to.
I have been fortunate to have worked with some very wise veteran teachers that have given me sound advice that I still follow. Find that person on your campus that you can talk to, and who can steer you in the right direction. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Every veteran teacher was once a first year teacher!
6. Avoid getting involved in drama.
One thing that I love about teaching is my coworkers. Educators tend to be a complex mix of individuals. As a student, I always looked at my teachers as being very calm (for the most part), boring people. When I became a teacher, I discovered that this is definitely not the case. When you have a lot of different personalities working together, drama occasionally pops up. My advice is… don’t start it and stay out of it. Period.
7. Last but not least… documentation!
You’ve heard this before… document everything.
- Keep track of phone calls to parents with the date, time, phone number, student and parent name,. reason for calls, and resolution (I just set up a Google sheet that I can easily access and quickly input information).
- Keep copies of all meeting notes, and if your administrators tell you to document certain types of information then do so.
- When it comes to documentation, don’t procrastinate. You don’t want to be that teacher trying to submite a year’s worth of documentation at the end of the school year.
I will be the first to tell you that teaching is not easy, but it definitely is rewarding. I hope you find this simple advice helpful. It truly is the advice that has guided me throughout my career.
Since you’ve stuck with me this long… how about a freebie? I have a set of editable data documents that can be used for any subject. Check them out!! (If you are already a subscriber, just use your resource library password to download!)
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