Getting ready to enter the teaching profession can be so exciting, but also overwhelming. As a blogger and a veteran teacher, I am often asked to offer advice for new teachers. I developed a set of rules that I think are extremely helpful when entering the teaching profession.
Samantha in Secondary’s Guide for First Year Teachers
Because it’s a marathon, not a sprint.
#1: Be yourself.
Your students may not always remember what you teach them, but they will remember you. Don’t get hung up on what you think a teacher is supposed to be. You do not need to create a teaching persona; they don’t work, and your students will see right through a façade. It is better to own who you are, strengths and flaws, and model self-love in a genuine way.
#2: Create systems.
Figure out what is required by your school and then create systems that work for you work within those boundaries. For instance, if your school requires weekly lesson plans, but does not specify how they must be laid out, work with a few templates to see what best fits your style. Create a system for everything – scheduling, lesson plans, make up work, filing. The more systems you can seamlessly implement into your day, the better your day is going to go.
#3: Prepare, but be flexible.
Even the best laid plans have a way of getting off course. There are a million things going on in a school at any given time, and as any experienced teacher will tell you, anything can happen in one class period. Prepare to the best of your ability, but remember to be flexible. Your class will be interrupted, often multiple times. Sometimes interruptions make for the most memorable and teachable moments. Embrace the unknown, don’t try to fight it.
#4: Find a routine.
Schedule everything in your life as though it were a meeting you can’t miss – grocery shopping, exercise, relaxation, and even social engagements. It is very easy to get caught up in the teaching profession and let the amount of work you could be doing take over your life. Don’t let it. If you plan on teaching for the long haul, accept that you need to take care of yourself as well and make that a priority. Too often teachers stop exercising and start ordering a lot of take out during their first year. (I was guilty of this and gained 30 pounds. Sad, but true.) It is not beneficial to your energy level to neglect yourself and it really does reflect in your teaching. Bottom line – take care of yourself. That’s non-negotiable.
#5: Build a support system.
This includes everyone and anyone you can get on board – parents, colleagues, administrators, mentors, support staff, friends, and family. I even make it a point to learn which students are related or just good friends and use that information to encourage better outcomes. If there is one thing I have learned about teaching, it’s that relationships matter. You are not wasting time by implementing an icebreaker or a team building activity into your lesson. You are not wasting time talking to a colleague about the football game. These interactions matter and they will make your teaching life so much better if you give them the attention they deserve.
#6: Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Ask, and ask again if you need to. Your questions are valid and you deserve clear answers. If you don’t get them, try again somewhere else. This lesson took me a long time to learn and I truly believe I would have saved myself a lot of time and energy had I not accepted unclear instructions and tried to make do on my own. You and your sanity are worth the clarity you will get from asking the question until you are satisfied with the answer.
#7: Don’t reinvent the wheel.
People have been teaching for years. Chances are, you aren’t the first person being asked to teach that unit. Ask what teachers in your school have done before and see if they will share resources. Check with your school or district’s curriculum coaches. Google ideas. Use Teachers Pay Teachers for units. (In the long run, that money is 100% worth it.) Some units you will be learning right along with your students – that is perfectly okay! Be honest with them. If I am using a resource I didn’t make, I’ll often ask my students to rate it when we’re done. It helps them feel like part of the process.
#8: If you need a day off, take one.
I don’t know where “teacher guilt” came from, but it is a real thing. Here’s some practical advice: your students will survive without you. They were making it before you came along and they will make it after. You missing a day for whatever reason will not make or break your teaching career. In fact, I’d argue that a well-placed personal day can even enhance your teaching. If you’re sick, stay home. If you need a day off, take one.
#9: Self care, self care, self care.
Find what makes you feel good and do more of that. If you like to sing, work it into your schedule. If you need to work out to feel like a human being, make sure you’re doing that. Teaching can be so incredibly absorbing that educators forget to take care of themselves. I fully believe that if you aren’t taking care of yourself then your students will suffer. Rest and relaxation are your friends. Give yourself the love and consideration you deserve.
#10: Progress, not perfection.
A lot of teaching is struggling to feel like you are making a dent in anything. In fact, first year teachers often feel like they are making no headway at all. The truth is that you are making things a little better every day. It’s progress that matters, not perfection. Whether you are making curriculum, delivering content, assisting with technology, or just asking a student about their day – you are making a difference. Celebrate the little victories. At the end of the year, you will realize how incredibly far you have come and all of those little things will be the big things!
If you’re just getting out your teacher prep program and you’re looking for help with your resume, interviews, or portfolio, please click to see my blog posts on those topics. I have a ton of helpful information for budding teacher candidates.
You can download these as a handy printable at my Teachers Pay Teachers store for free. Print them and hang them up near your desk or planning area for quick tips or a gentle reminder that it’s all going to be okay!
Remember: You’ve got this!
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