Tips for New Teachers

#3 ~ Recognize that you are not your students.

When I say this, I mean two different things.  First, understand that how you learn best is not always how your students will learn best.  Many teachers tend to teach to their own learning style, whether or not it benefits the students.  My advice is to take time to get to know your students and what makes them tick, what inspires them, what motivates them...and use it!  Not only will doing this keep your kids engaged, but it will also help diminish behavior problems.

Secondly...please, please, please remember that you are not your students' best friend.  This is a classic "rookie" mistake and I cannot stress enough the importance of setting boundaries for your students (and preparing for your students to test those boundaries).  Get your "teacher look" going, practice it in a mirror...good teachers are able to stop unwanted behavior with a look!  I'm kidding, of course, but not entirely.  Establishing the boundaries in the beginning of the year will make the rest of your year more peaceful.

Tips for New Teachers

#2 ~ Be a team player!

There is something so special about being a new teacher--the excitement, passion and ideas are endless!  However, if you are not careful, your excitement, passion and ideas can be misinterpreted as being a "know-it-all."  This is not your fault...trust me.  However, it is important to respect those who have been in the field longer than you--regardless of how you feel about them.  My advice to you new teachers is to become a student of the teachers around you.  This does not mean you can't share your ideas or get excited about projects.  It simply means that there is a lot to learn, and much of it can be learned from your new colleagues.  If they think you are going to come in and try to change the way they do things, a wall will be built faster than you can blink.  Don't be afraid to share your ideas, but remember to listen to theirs.  Understand that these people can help make your first year a fantastic learning experience, or an awful experience!  I want you to have the best experience possible.  Remember, my goal is to keep you teaching!

Tips for New Teachers

#1 ~ Establish positive parent communication.

As the school year begins, take time that first week to contact all of your students' parents.  Whether you've already met them at "Meet the Teacher" night or not, I cannot begin to explain how important it is to establish positive communication with the parents of your students.  In the first week of school, I make sure to personally (...and briefly...) speak to each and every one of my parents.  Yes, it seems time consuming, but really it's not.  I take my class list and make about five phone calls a night.  By the end of the first week, I have spoken with each parent.  The conversation is very simple and goes something like this:

"Hi Mrs. Smith!  This is Ms. McCabe, Jonny's teacher.  I just wanted to touch base and let you know that Jonny is off to a great start in second grade.  I am so happy to have him in class and look forward to working with you throughout the year.  Have a great night!"

Doing this sets the precedent that you plan on working as a team for the benefit of their child, and that when you call, it's not always bad news.  I have had many parents tell me how nice it is to receive a "good" phone call about their child.  Too often, parents only hear from teachers when something bad happens, or someone is in trouble.  This makes parents cringe when they see the school's number pop up on their caller ID.  Think about the times you, as a child, saw your school's phone number on the caller ID...you were shaking in your boots!  Don't do this to your students...make them smile when they see your number.

Continue to make positive phone calls throughout the year.  Call to inform parents of a student who reaches their fluency or math goal, makes a really good choice, is extra helpful to a friend, etc.  You see the point...make positive phone calls (or send emails).

Of course, you will still need to make those "bad" calls as well, but I will promise you that parents are much more receptive to the "bad" calls when they know you are also recognizing the good in their child.

Here is a link to a simple, but effective parent/teacher communication log from Jessica Winston-Saunders at The Teaching Oasis  Remember to document ALL forms of communication, including those positive phone calls!

Get ready...August is close!

I cannot believe that summer is coming to an end already!  It seems like I just packed up my classroom last week.  I guess being crazy busy will make the time fly, and between finishing my master's, completing my internship and preparing for a new teaching role, I would say the time flew!

So, as I begin thinking about going back to school, I can't help but think about all you newbies out there.  Yes, you...the passionate, enthusiastic (...and maybe a bit overwhelmed...) first year teachers who are itching for the maintenance crew to finish cleaning so you can get into your first classroom.  I remember that time well, and while I was uber-excited, I was also nervous!

In working with new teachers over the last few years, I have been asked for advice on starting the school year and the amazing adventure of shaping the children of the future (in my best Whitney Houston voice).  I've come up with a few tips...things I've learned from other outstanding teachers, things I've noticed along my journey and ideas for making your first year the best year.  Let's face it, most teachers entering the profession, leave after the first 5 years...I want you to stay!  In fact, that is my passion and why I am making the leap into administration...you became a teacher for a reason, I want to help you keep that fire burning!

Over the next few weeks, I will post teaching tips for you...tips that I wish I knew as I began my first years of teaching.  If you have specific questions, please leave a comment below and I will do my best to answer all of them.  You can expect the first post to be published tomorrow!  Good luck and get ready for choosing the most difficult, yet rewarding job in the world!