So you just graduated and are ready for a classroom of your own! Congratulations! You may be feeling very excited, overwhelmed, anxious, elated, nervous...so many emotions. Looking back on my first year of teaching, there are many things I wish I would have known which most of the time simply come from having experience. Teacher education programs alone don't prepare students for their time in the classroom. I asked my friends in the education profession what advice they would give a first-year teacher, and they had much to offer.
"Looking back, it is imperative to always remember the reason that we chose this profession. Everything that I do is for the kids. We should always strive to give our students the best education possible. We want them to be equipped to take on the real world and to be successful in their life journeys. Teaching is not an easy profession, and I see it as a calling. We don't make excessive money nor are there many extrinsic rewards but the intrinsic rewards are what drives me....doing what is best for the kids. Knowing that you give your all and go out of your way to help each and every kid is my motivation. They may, or may not, remember me or my name down the road but they will certainly be able to think back and know that they had a teacher who genuinely cared about them!" Zac B. - 14 years experience
"My advice to first-year teachers is to utilize the mentor that you are assigned and to ASK questions early and often. The second piece of advice is to get involved but to BALANCE school life w/ home life. Teachers will not make it if they cannot achieve this balance. New teachers are usually saddled with a ton of extracurricular coaching/sponsorships so it will be important to be able to achieve balance." Christina S. - 30+ years teaching, 2 years administration (and not ready to retire).
"Don't be afraid to ask for help from other teachers; most are very willing to share. Set high academic and behavioral expectations for the class; students will amaze you with what they can do. Have a routine for everything and go over it again and again until it is solid; the rest of the year will be smooth sailing. Most of all, enjoy your students; they will love you if they know you love them!" Stacey E. - 22 years experience
"What an exciting yet scary time for new teachers! I think I would encourage new teachers to get involved and collaborate with their peers. Take necessary risks to challenge not only their students, but themselves, and be open to constructive feedback. Surround yourself with positive people and teach kindness. Teach kindness every day. Understand that current reality right now will change...go with it! Work to make each day a unique learning experience." Heath W. - 22 years in education, 8 years administration, 14 years teaching/coaching
"First, love your students. Connect with them. Get to know them. Show them you care about them. Help them to see their own strengths first. Then you can work on weaknesses. Second, take the time early on to establish your procedures and expectations. Make sure your students know what you want them to do when you want them to do it, and how you want it done. Expect great things from all your students. They all want to be great. They need you to believe they can be." Debbie S. - 14 years experience
"My advice is to invest the time to get to know each child personally. Know their likes/dislikes, attend a sporting event they participate in, let them know they are more than a student in your class. For many students, they just need to know someone truly cares & it is amazing how hard they work for you. Always find at least one thing in common with each kiddo!" Kim P. - 15 years experience
"Classroom management is usually a struggle for beginning teachers. Take your time, teach your procedures and expectations, and find a positive behavior incentive system that works for your students. Don't hesitate to ask for help when you feel overwhelmed. Your coworkers are your most valuable resource so use them! Also, Keep in mind that if you feel like you failed in the classroom on a specific day, you get to come back and be successful the next!" Matt M. - 8 years experience
"My best advice to new teachers is to do what's best for kids. I know it sounds simple, but really, it's not! When you have to worry about standards and evaluations, and SLO's, and standardized testing in an ever changing cycle, it's hard to remember that it's the kids that we're fighting for, not test scores or school rankings. The kids are why you took this job. As rewarding as it is, and it is super rewarding, please make sure to not let all of the other "stuff" get in the way of producing exceptional, educated citizens. Also, please be flexible...not only with the kids but with your team. Teaching is not a profession for "one-size-fits-all" personalities. Accommodate, even if you aren't required to. Love on kids...even when they don't seem to deserve it. Try new suggestions from co-workers...even if you already had a plan. And please...see the good in all kids. It's there, no matter how hard some try to hide it. Fight for them!" Heather P. - 14 years experience
My advice: Even when they aggravate you, and they will love your students! Make the classroom and school a place where they feel safe and valued. Teach that it is okay to make mistakes and that everyone does, even you, their teacher! Don't be afraid to say that you don't know the answer to a question. You and your students can find out together! Look for teachable moments and take advantage them. Also, be great role model. Model good habits for your students - they look up to you! Think of teaching in terms of its impact on student learning. Get to know your students a well as their parents. Find out how each of them learns best because they are all different! They want to know you care about them. Jennifer B. - 5 years experience
We all hope this advice will guide new teachers who are about to begin their professional career, have just started a new school year, or even a student teacher.
What advice would you, our readers, give to the first-year teacher?
