This first post will be dedicated to new and future teachers. I did some research and found a helpful list of things for first-year teachers to keep in mind.
The ABCs for First-Year Teachers:
- Admit your mistakes -- and learn from them.
- Be firm but flexible.
- Communicate with parents.
- Develop a homework policy -- and stick to it.
- Empower your students; don't just lecture to them.
- Find time to attend after-school events.
- Get to know all the teachers in your school and make friends with the cooks, custodians, aides, and secretaries.
- Have the courage to try something else if what you're doing isn't working.
- Institute a clear discipline policy -- and enforce it consistently.
- Just listen -- both to what the kids are saying and to what they're not saying.
- Keep a journal.
- Learn your school's policies and procedures.
- Model desired attitudes and behavior.
- Non carborundum ignorami. (Don't let the imbeciles wear you down.)
- Overplan.
- Prepare interesting lessons.
- Quit worrying and just do your best.
- Remember that you teach students first, then you teach whatever academic discipline you learned.
- Stay alert.
- Take pictures.
- Understand that the learning process involves everyone -- teachers, students, colleagues, and parents -- and get everyone involved.
- Volunteer to share projects and ideas, and don't be afraid to ask others to share their ideas with you.
- Work within your limits.
- Xpect the unexpected -- and plan for it!
- Yell if you need support.
- Zero in on your strengths, not your weaknesses. (Remember -- nobody's perfect!)
Now, I have a question for you. Based on your experiences, what is the best piece of advice you can give to new teachers before they enter the field of education?
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