Rock Your First Year Teaching

Hi everyone!  I'm teaming up with

to share tips and tricks for your first year of teaching!  

Lets start with 3 things you should do! 

1.  Ask for help:  If you are confused, don't understand something or just need some advice ask for it.  It is better to ask for help than to do things incorrectly.  You should be given a mentor teacher.  They are a great resource.  Use them.  My first year I had to go visit my administrator many times to bounce ideas off of his head.  I had a difficult class that the other teachers had yet to handle.  They were not able to assist but were willing to offer support.  The administrator helped a lot.  Remember that you are not an island.  This job is successful when we are part of a team or "family" to provide what is best for all students! 

2. Set routines on day 1:  This was something that I wasn't aware of when I started.  I spent a lot of time creating routines after finding that I needed them.  Assume that students know very little.  We must set routines for everything.  Teach them and practice them.  It may sound silly but they need a routine for all things.  Even teach the routine of going to the bathroom, flushing, washing hands, coming back to class.  Teach how to get out supplies and put them away and more.  This is a huge life savor.  

3. Manage stress:  This is a hard one.  Find yourself an outlet to manage your stress.  I joined an aerobics class once a week.  This was a way for me to escape the school mind set for at least an hour a week.  I also found that calling my mom and debriefing my day meant by the time I get home to my family, I can let go of the day and focus on other things that didn't stress me out.  Everyone has their own way to manage so find yours right away!  Don't stray from this either.  Many weeks I found it would be easier to just focus on school work instead of attending aerobics class.  I always made myself go and felt way better afterwards!  

1. Get caught in the negativity:  Other staff members can be very negative.  When one person starts being negative it creates a vicious cycle and then everyone can easily become negative.  I've found that when they start to get down if I find something positive to say then it helps stop that cycle.  If the teacher's lounge is too negative and the teachers just complain; eat lunch in your room.  Don't get caught up in the complaining and drama.  It will look bad on you and it will make your year miserable.  

2. Don't spend too much time at school:  There is always more work to be done.  Set yourself hours and try to stick to them.  My first year I spent a lot of time at school.  I was in an hour early and left typically 2 hours after the kids did.  I would go in on the weekends and spend hours working as well.  Now I don't do that.  I still have the same amount of work to do but I'm ok with some of it not getting done right away.  As long as the most important tasks are finished then I am done.  I now arrive 30 minutes before school starts and I leave about 1 hour after the kids do.  I make sure that during that time I prioritize my work and try to not get distracted.  Family time is important.  We can't "live" at the school. 

Take time for yourself!  We are given personal days for a reason.  As much work as it is to plan for a sub, it is worth it in the end.  As long as you have some days take one during stressful times to just escape for a day.  Go get a massage, sleep in, go out to lunch and more.  Spend a day not worrying about the stress of work.  

Best wishes for your first year teaching!!