There is no experience quite like hands on experience. It's something no textbook or even the smartest professor can teach you. To know if you can swim, you kinda just have to be thrown into the water. Some fields of study have internships, and if you are an education major that comes in the form of student teaching. The beautifully stressful time period in which you are expected to perform as a teacher but still graded as a student. Crazy, right? Such is education, so you might as well get used to it and embrace it with open arms.
However, sometimes God throws some crazy blessings right in your lap and you get a little window into what is to come. In other words, the experience before THE EXPERIENCE. And for me, that has come labeled in a package called Substitute Teaching and shaped in some different unique opportunities, one in which I got to play teacher: creating lesson plans, grading, makeup work, assignments, teaching... the whole nine yards. And let me just tell you, you can learn more from a week in the classroom than you can a whole semester of education courses.
For a little over a week, I had the great privilege of doing an interim type position for the English IV classes at my alma mater, while the administration searched for a permanent replacement. You have to know that God sets these things up because there's no way I could have. For a whole week, I was a "real teacher" with a real class, real grades, real plans, and I loved every second of it. I guarantee you that I learned more than my students this week. So from one education major to another, here's the 411 (that you won't find in the College of Education)! And to all, here is what I've learned.
1. Teaching is a full body work out.
Like seriously, it is. My back hurts; my feet hurt, and even my arms are sore. "Have you been working out?" Nope, just teaching!
2. It's okay not to know all the answers.
This is so important! Don't feel like you need to know everything. That's God's job. It is better for you to say, "I don't know. I'll have to get back to you," than to make up a wrong answer in fear of looking stupid.
3. Go to bed early!
You are going to be so worn out, and that 5:30 am alarm is definitely coming sooner rather than later!
4. There WILL be technology issues; so prepare to operate on the fly.
It will happen. There is no way around it, so don't freak out; just improvise. And kick it old school if you have to!
5. Students are creatures of routine.
The more routine there is in a classroom, the more managed the classroom is as a whole. You can thank me later.
6. "How old are you?"
You'll more than likely hear this more times than your name. Oh and "older than you" is a sufficient answer!
7. Post-Its are your best friends!
You're gonna need them for everything especially if you are like me and forget your own name sometimes.
8. Sometimes you almost need three different projectors.
Just trust me on this. So much information, so few projector screens.
9. Coffee and Jesus and Jesus and coffee.
If you think you can start your day without either, you are sadly mistaken.
10. You need other teachers.
No one understands your struggles and victories quite like another teacher. They were once where you were. You also need them for your own sanity and adult conversations. It's the key to your livelihood.
11. Be mean: like seriously, it's okay.
You aren't there to be their friend or to be liked. You are there to teach. It will have positive longterm outcomes for you.
12. Don't wear heels; just don't.
There is absolutely no reason to murder your feet. You are going to be on them all day long.
13. Be confident.
If you believe in yourself so will they!
14. Check your email!
They seriously do send out important info through email, so check with more frequency than you do that Gmail account with 6,500 unread emails.
15. Take notes on what you cover in each class. Every class is different.
I cannot stress this enough. You will lose your mind if you try to remember it all. And it makes the beginning of the next class period run so much more smoothly.
16. Drink lots and lots of water.
That teacher voice needs to stay hydrated!
17. ...And start training your bladder.
You get to go to the bathroom at lunch if you are lucky and again at 3:05. The bladder of a teacher is a strong force.
18. Snow days mess up your completely perfect plans.
No plans are perfect, even if every class is at the exact same spot in The Canterbury Tales. Give up expectations of perfection, and enjoy the day off!
19. Stick to what you say.
Your first answer is your answer for every single student!
