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!)
Finally, keep in mind the words of Philadelphia teacher Lew Clark: “Have a blast! You are about to begin a remarkable adventure.”
Source: http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/curr152.shtml
There are also a few First Year Teacher Resources at the above link. Click to check them out!!
