As I finish my third semester as an Elementary Education Major, my love grows and I continue to learn more and more. I have learned some lessons that no one truly tells you about as you enter line of work. So, for all those future teachers, here are some lessons from me to you.
1. Do well on your ACT.
This is a big one that I wish I would've known. If you do well, it may get you out of certain classes once you enter college. It can help you get ahead and graduate early.
2. Take the PRAXIS and CASA as soon as possible.
This is something you must have completed before you can continue on with any education classes, and it is over things you should already know from high school.
3. Don't be afraid to ask for help.
If there was one thing I have learned at ISU, it is that your teachers want you to succeed. So don't be afraid to stop and ask for help when you need it.
4. Make a Regular schedule with your adviser.
This one is very serious. This could easily dictate whether you are there for four years or five and, more than likely, you don't want to be stuck there any longer than you have to be.
5. Take good notes in math.
If you aren't good a statistics, then you better get a tutor ASAP. Some colleges require you to take statistics as if you plan to teach a bunch of first graders how to do a t-test.
6. Lesson Plans.
Live it, love it, learn it. It's truly as simple as that. I am only a sophomore and I have already had to make many lesson plans. They are long and they somewhat stink, but somehow, you find a love for doing them.
7. Always be open for opinions.
I am very critical of myself and the work that I do. I have written and rewritten this article four times, and I started it a month ago. So, with that in mind, I am always open to hearing what I can do better and what my teachers may suggest when asking how I can improve.
8. Develop a schedule.
This one is very highly recommended due to the fact that on top of taking all of your education classes, you also have to keep up with your foundational studies and extracurricular activities. If you are anything like me, you are a dis-functionally organized person.
9. Always have a back-up plan.
This is one you learn quickly when entering the field. You see, there will be one time when you get to present a lesson of your own. While you may think you have it all worked out, there will be one child who will show you how wrong you were to think that.
10. Study Hard and Have Fun.
While becoming a teacher may feel stressful, don't forget to enjoy the little things that come with it. If watching a child's face light up when they finally understand and grasp something doesn't melt your heart and make you happy, then you are truly in the wrong field.
