Friday, October 21, 2011

Encouraging Words for New & Future Teachers

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!)
(Source: http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/curr152.shtml)


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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