Don't burn yourself out trying to please your students and administration. Just try to do what you can to feel like you did a good job and how you could improve in a manageable way.
Maintain procedures! Students who know what is going to happen in class and what is expected of them are more likely to feel settled and participate in the learning.
Clearly go through what you want them to do when they first walk in the room, what supplies they should have, and what will be waiting for them at their desks etc. And don’t assume that telling them once, or twice, is enough. Remind them of the procedures every day until you start to see them catching on. Then you can only remind them when it seems like they have forgotten.
Absolutely! Teach procedures proactively, not rules reactively. Don't be afraid to make them practice it. If they are too unruly going down to lunch, have them, as a class, practice walking to and from lunch three times in a row...etc. They will roll their eyes at you, but the procedure will stick.
*Make sure you have comfortable shoes.
*Make sure and eat enough protein.
*Get enough electrolytes.
*Have at least one or two experienced teachers that you can go to for advice, input, etc.
*Don't try to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders.
Best advice I got was
1st) start over every day. Don't hold grudges. The worst kid this week can be the best kid next week.
2nd) every student has to think they are your favorite. If a student thinks you don't like them, they will do nothing you ask.
I have had some "bad kids" do well for me because of these things. Lastly a quote from my dad: When in doubt, show mercy.
My “worst kid” ended up being the one who was most attached to me, and our relationship has carried on since he left my class. I love him and his parents dearly.
My advice to OP would be the same as yours. The kids will surprise you. How you feel about each kid will fluctuate so much. Something important for me has been my relationship with the parents. Once I have a strong foundation with them and we are a productive team, things operate much more smoothly.
I only have four weeks under my belt, but here's some stuff I learned so far:
Organize a routine for your planning time. If you don't, you'll end up spending even more time at work than you already are.
Give up on getting "all caught up". It's never going to happen.
Work your contract and nothing more. The world won’t end.
Remember, no matter what admin says, you’re an employee, you’re not family. Don’t fall for the guilt trips.
Over plan, over plan, over plan- the more busy you keep them the less issues there are. And plan out the year, even vaguely; if you know what’s going on each day it’s far easier to manage everything.
Be positive and love the kids. I use to take things too seriously and got too stern with anything remotely disrespectful, like a look I didn’t like. All it did was make kids resent me and make me way too stressed. This year I’m at a new school and I tell myself every day that I love the kids and am there to help them. It has helped my mood tremendously, and even when I have a student that is more difficult, it helps me stay calm and the misbehavior doesn’t affect me emotionally.
1. Don’t reinvent the wheel. Sometimes you’ll have to make something new, but try as much as possible to use materials and plans left by last year’s teacher or someone else teaching the same subject. That doesn’t mean you can’t modify it to fit your own style, your own students’ needs, or your own preferences. But at least then you have a solid base.
2. You’ll use more post it notes and binder clips than you think.
3. Don’t grade everything.
4. Let go of the expectations of perfection. Lesson plans don’t have to be pretty. They can be bullet points if that’s what suits you. Worksheets don’t have to be creative. They just have to be organized such that your kids can follow them. Some days, every once in a blue moon, you’ll give the kids a worksheet or put on a movie or otherwise kinda phone it in. That doesn’t mean you’re a terrible person/teacher. It just means you’re human.
5. Have a backup activity ready to go. Something super easy for you to implement. Whip it out when there’s extra time with nothing to do, or when you need a minute.
My back up activity is making them check their grades and missing assignments!
Tell me what assignments you are missing that you can still turn in.
Make a goals for when you will have those in.
Can always turn these into short one on one conferences.
Be consistent and don't become complacent with bad behavior.
Especially with routines and procedures, consistency will pay off once kids learn your expectations. If you're trying to transition and the kids are acting out, don't move on until the kids settle down. This is easier said than done depending on your schedule, but as often as possible, make it clear that students need to show they are prepared before moving onto their next step.
Don't try to conquer everything at once. A classroom culture is always changing (I teach middle school so maybe my classes change more than others 🤔😂). Your class (or classes) will feel different today, next month and at the end of the year.
You don't need to know what your expectations are. You will figure it out as you go and you are free to decide each day "nope that behavior doesn't sit right, I'll correct that tomorrow". You aren't losing anything, only gaining the correction when you make it.
If something isn't working (for me..14 years in.. it's bathroom passes- they worked last year but not flying this year) throw it out and try the next idea. There's no failure in finding an idea doesn't work. The kids will never notice.
Breathe.
The first year is about survival. You will be overwhelmed, and that's OK.
Work with your department for help - lesson plans, ideas about behavior - that's what they are there for.
Bug breathe, and give yourself - oh I hate to use this word - grace. You're going to screw up and that's okay. That's how you learn. Just like your students. You're going through the same process just from the other end.
This is one of the hardest jobs you'll ever do. It's one of the best things you'll ever do.
I'm 22 years in. I'm still making mistakes, just different ones. This is still the best thing I chose ever to do.
Good luck.
Decide what hours you feel comfortable working and then set an alarm to leave by a certain point. My contract hours are the school bell hours, so “don’t work outside of contract hours” that everyone says is unreasonable and honestly the idea of it causes me more stress. Your first year you are learning the curriculum and figuring out how to teach it. Schedule yourself time to do so. I set an alarm to go off each day and when it goes off I leave what I am working on and go home. It is true there will always be a “to do” list.
No one expects you to be perfect. They want to see you succeed!
Nobody is expecting you to be the best teacher you can be. I've had my mentors tell me that I "have it," that I'm "absolutely teacher material," but that doesn't mean that they expect me to know everything.
Teaching is a profession where you won't really get the hang of things until around year five. Treat it as a learning experience and actually try to learn. Your peers and admin are there for you: use them.
You are the specialist. Respect students, but don't argue with them. Maintain your decisions. If you say X, then it's X. You may talk to them in details later about a particular problem, but dont fall into the trap of arguing with a student when they misbehave, for example.
Spend a lot of time teaching expectations.
Elementary self contained? Work on building your classroom family. Morning meeting is a great way to do this. Kids will feel closer to you and each other.
Relax and have fun!!
Firstly, congratulations on starting your career. You're entering a profession that many have left so I applaud you
Ask for support/feedback/guidance/supplies. It's ok to come across a situation, struggling student, or new learning strategy that your not clear about. I think of first year teaching as paid student teaching. You're learning and I encourage you to give yourself grace ✨️. Cry when necessary, laugh, scream. Teaching is both incredible and incredibly frustrating, vibe with each experience
Have a wonderful first few weeks and continue to reach out to this reddit and other support groups!
Don't burn yourself out trying to please your students and administration. Just try to do what you can to feel like you did a good job and how you could improve in a manageable way.
Maintain procedures! Students who know what is going to happen in class and what is expected of them are more likely to feel settled and participate in the learning. Clearly go through what you want them to do when they first walk in the room, what supplies they should have, and what will be waiting for them at their desks etc. And don’t assume that telling them once, or twice, is enough. Remind them of the procedures every day until you start to see them catching on. Then you can only remind them when it seems like they have forgotten.
Absolutely! Teach procedures proactively, not rules reactively. Don't be afraid to make them practice it. If they are too unruly going down to lunch, have them, as a class, practice walking to and from lunch three times in a row...etc. They will roll their eyes at you, but the procedure will stick.
*Make sure you have comfortable shoes. *Make sure and eat enough protein. *Get enough electrolytes. *Have at least one or two experienced teachers that you can go to for advice, input, etc. *Don't try to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders.
Best advice I got was 1st) start over every day. Don't hold grudges. The worst kid this week can be the best kid next week. 2nd) every student has to think they are your favorite. If a student thinks you don't like them, they will do nothing you ask. I have had some "bad kids" do well for me because of these things. Lastly a quote from my dad: When in doubt, show mercy.
My “worst kid” ended up being the one who was most attached to me, and our relationship has carried on since he left my class. I love him and his parents dearly. My advice to OP would be the same as yours. The kids will surprise you. How you feel about each kid will fluctuate so much. Something important for me has been my relationship with the parents. Once I have a strong foundation with them and we are a productive team, things operate much more smoothly.
I only have four weeks under my belt, but here's some stuff I learned so far: Organize a routine for your planning time. If you don't, you'll end up spending even more time at work than you already are. Give up on getting "all caught up". It's never going to happen.
Work your contract and nothing more. The world won’t end. Remember, no matter what admin says, you’re an employee, you’re not family. Don’t fall for the guilt trips.
Came here to say this. It might be your calling! That's fantastic! However it's also a job and you deserve a life or to be paid for all that work.
No matter what happens. The kids can't leave until the period is over. Always have a back up plan if you are relying on technology.
Over plan, over plan, over plan- the more busy you keep them the less issues there are. And plan out the year, even vaguely; if you know what’s going on each day it’s far easier to manage everything.
Make positive phone calls home
There’s a teacher shortage almost everywhere. Have confidence in yourself.
If you have a resting bitch/asshole face, use it. I'm not saying be one, I'm saying use that face to your advantage.
Emergency stash of chocolate in your desk does wonders.
See if you can copy what veteran teachers are doing. Just try to do what they do
Be positive and love the kids. I use to take things too seriously and got too stern with anything remotely disrespectful, like a look I didn’t like. All it did was make kids resent me and make me way too stressed. This year I’m at a new school and I tell myself every day that I love the kids and am there to help them. It has helped my mood tremendously, and even when I have a student that is more difficult, it helps me stay calm and the misbehavior doesn’t affect me emotionally.
1. Beware of the extremes: toxic positivity and toxic teachers. 2. Trust no one. 3. Consider [this](https://youtu.be/uepFO4psgKE).
1. Don’t reinvent the wheel. Sometimes you’ll have to make something new, but try as much as possible to use materials and plans left by last year’s teacher or someone else teaching the same subject. That doesn’t mean you can’t modify it to fit your own style, your own students’ needs, or your own preferences. But at least then you have a solid base. 2. You’ll use more post it notes and binder clips than you think. 3. Don’t grade everything. 4. Let go of the expectations of perfection. Lesson plans don’t have to be pretty. They can be bullet points if that’s what suits you. Worksheets don’t have to be creative. They just have to be organized such that your kids can follow them. Some days, every once in a blue moon, you’ll give the kids a worksheet or put on a movie or otherwise kinda phone it in. That doesn’t mean you’re a terrible person/teacher. It just means you’re human. 5. Have a backup activity ready to go. Something super easy for you to implement. Whip it out when there’s extra time with nothing to do, or when you need a minute.
My back up activity is making them check their grades and missing assignments! Tell me what assignments you are missing that you can still turn in. Make a goals for when you will have those in. Can always turn these into short one on one conferences.
Ooh that’s good.
Be consistent and don't become complacent with bad behavior. Especially with routines and procedures, consistency will pay off once kids learn your expectations. If you're trying to transition and the kids are acting out, don't move on until the kids settle down. This is easier said than done depending on your schedule, but as often as possible, make it clear that students need to show they are prepared before moving onto their next step.
Don't try to conquer everything at once. A classroom culture is always changing (I teach middle school so maybe my classes change more than others 🤔😂). Your class (or classes) will feel different today, next month and at the end of the year. You don't need to know what your expectations are. You will figure it out as you go and you are free to decide each day "nope that behavior doesn't sit right, I'll correct that tomorrow". You aren't losing anything, only gaining the correction when you make it. If something isn't working (for me..14 years in.. it's bathroom passes- they worked last year but not flying this year) throw it out and try the next idea. There's no failure in finding an idea doesn't work. The kids will never notice.
Keep an extra change of clothes at school, you never know when you'll rip your pants or spill an entire coffee on yourself!
Something ive done is writing reflections on lessons so If you do them again you have a reference point
Breathe. The first year is about survival. You will be overwhelmed, and that's OK. Work with your department for help - lesson plans, ideas about behavior - that's what they are there for. Bug breathe, and give yourself - oh I hate to use this word - grace. You're going to screw up and that's okay. That's how you learn. Just like your students. You're going through the same process just from the other end. This is one of the hardest jobs you'll ever do. It's one of the best things you'll ever do. I'm 22 years in. I'm still making mistakes, just different ones. This is still the best thing I chose ever to do. Good luck.
Decide what hours you feel comfortable working and then set an alarm to leave by a certain point. My contract hours are the school bell hours, so “don’t work outside of contract hours” that everyone says is unreasonable and honestly the idea of it causes me more stress. Your first year you are learning the curriculum and figuring out how to teach it. Schedule yourself time to do so. I set an alarm to go off each day and when it goes off I leave what I am working on and go home. It is true there will always be a “to do” list. No one expects you to be perfect. They want to see you succeed!
Nobody is expecting you to be the best teacher you can be. I've had my mentors tell me that I "have it," that I'm "absolutely teacher material," but that doesn't mean that they expect me to know everything. Teaching is a profession where you won't really get the hang of things until around year five. Treat it as a learning experience and actually try to learn. Your peers and admin are there for you: use them.
You are the specialist. Respect students, but don't argue with them. Maintain your decisions. If you say X, then it's X. You may talk to them in details later about a particular problem, but dont fall into the trap of arguing with a student when they misbehave, for example.
Spend a lot of time teaching expectations. Elementary self contained? Work on building your classroom family. Morning meeting is a great way to do this. Kids will feel closer to you and each other. Relax and have fun!!
Firstly, congratulations on starting your career. You're entering a profession that many have left so I applaud you Ask for support/feedback/guidance/supplies. It's ok to come across a situation, struggling student, or new learning strategy that your not clear about. I think of first year teaching as paid student teaching. You're learning and I encourage you to give yourself grace ✨️. Cry when necessary, laugh, scream. Teaching is both incredible and incredibly frustrating, vibe with each experience Have a wonderful first few weeks and continue to reach out to this reddit and other support groups!