First-Year Teacher Tips
Posted by Debra Liverman on 04 Aug 2008 | Posted in: Classroom Management, Holiday and Seasonal, Inspiration and Motivation
As I was reading through the comments that were posted in response to “Thinking Summer or Back to School?”, Tennith’s comment took me back in time! She mentioned the excitement she felt as a first-year teacher preparing for her very first class. I distinctly remember that feeling and I too had many sleepless nights before that first day of school. She also asked for some tips for getting her through the first year. So I walked around the office today asking a few of the editors what advice they had for first-year teachers. This is what they’d like to share…
“Be a good listener! Take time to listen to other teachers and be sure to really listen to your students.” –Hope Spencer, Managing Editor of Grade 1 and Grades 2-3 Teacher’s Helper
“Read through some books for tips on classroom management. Find the ideas that you’d like to implement and then stick with them.”–Kim Murphy, Managing Editor of Preschool MAILBOX
“Don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions! No one expects you to have all the answers.”–Tina Peterson, Editor
“Be proud that you have such an extremely important job. And remember the students are likely just as excited and nervous as you are!” –Diane Badden, Editor at Large
“Always remember to give your students enough thinking time after you ask a question. Most of the time they really need it!” –Sherry McGregor, Managing Editor of The Mailbox BOOKBAG
How about you? Do you have any words of encouragement for Tennith and all the other first-year teachers who are preparing to enter the classroom for the first time?
30 Comments |
Subscribe
|
Email This
30 Responses to “First-Year Teacher Tips”
More Comments Pages: [1] 2 3 » Show All Comments
More Comments Pages: [1] 2 3 » Show All Comments
One thing that has helped me was the realization that no matter how nervous I was, the parent or student saw me as a professional. As long as I faked confidence, they would never know my butterflies.
I have taught middle school for 20 years and now have 5 children of my own. The best advice that I can give a new teacher is to TRY to treat the students at school as your own children. That’s a difficult thing to do at times.
I am in my 15th year of teaching Pre-K and the advice I have for first year teachers are ….
1. Be patient
2. Be flexible
3. Respect the children and in turn they will respect you
4. Have fun with the children
5. Be organized
I hope everyone has a great year!
I have been teaching 2 and a half years and I read a quote one day that changed the way I look at things at 5:00 pm after a long day at school. It was: “Your work may never be done, but you can be done for today.” Sometimes you have to tell yourself to be done for the day and have some time for yourself, or you will burn yourself out.
Relax!@ You’ll do just fine!
The kids need to know you are the boss. What you say goes. They need to know that you mean business. Avoid idle threats.
Kids were always the LEAST of my problems!
Learn to laugh!
All the requirements the administrators dump on you cannot humanly be done. Not many people will tell you that. Often their bosses are fabricating the tasks.
You have to learn what is important, essential and be willing to adjust. Don’t get too far ahead on paperwork etc. because they WILL change it.
Just when you think you have everything under control, a new student will arrive at your door!
Oh and sign up early for the tv and vcr so you can use it on Friday afternoons!!
I read one time you will learn from every teacher at school. The choice is yours. From the positive teachers things you want to adopt and emulate and from the negative teachers you learn not to listen to their gossip or emulate their negativism.
I have been teaching Preschool for 7 years and have learned a few things that work and a few that don’t work. The best thing to remember is to have fun, if you are stressed out the children will feel it and that will make things harder for you in the long run. Find a organization technique that works for you and be creative when all else fails try it if it doesn’t work try something else. To many people get burned out because they want things to go their way and when it doesn’t work they give up. Observe the children to find interest and that will make planning alot easier.
Any comments for a first year male preschool teacher? But first, I must say the statement of, “oh your a male you will be snatched up quick when you start to interview!” While I was in school is over-rated!! I spent two years looking for a prek teaching position…but after working so hard to make a name for myself and not giving up I’ve finally got here. First year teaching headstart and More at Four. I agree with everything thats been posted above, thanks.
After being in early childhood for 34 years and teaching preschool for the last 20, the best advice I can give a new teacher is view each new year as a fresh start, a clean slate to try new ideas, and surround yourself with lots of idea resource books. Go into school prepared with lots of activities but expect to plan more than you need. Smile and greet every student as if he/she were the most important child in the world. Each year’s group of students is different with different needs and abilities. What may work one year may fall flat the next. And as those before me have said - be flexible!
I am entering my 10th year of teaching and thought I was reading about myself when I read Amy’s comments- I, too, taught 4th grade and LOVED it and last year was placed in Kindergarten. It WAS really hard, all through the year, but I had fun and had a great class- I wouldn’t go back to 4th grade now! My advice like others is BE FLEXIBLE! I can’t say that enough, especially with kindergarteners. And being organized is a must!! Most of all be positive and laugh a lot- they respect you so much more when you respect them! Oh, and I’m nervous, too!
I print feet prints on the floor to get my children to learn how to stay in a single flie line i just trace their feet on different color paper and cut them out and put them on the floor covered with contact paper,the children love it they go around saying my feet no my feet. I love it because they stand in line.
I am entering my 9th year of teaching. I have taught 4th grade and now teach Kindergarten. It was very hard the first few months. . . okay the first year. I actually cried. I could not believe it. It was very hard adapting to the age difference. It was me and 24 four year olds and no additional help. It was very stressfull. Here are a few tips that got me through it all. Oh and by the way I love Kindergarten now.
* Take a deep breath at every chance you get. It really helps relax the nervous and cuts down on the stress.
* Plan ahead!
* Be organized have and know what is next while the children are in midst of step 1.
* Be ready to alter your plans. In other words be flexable.
* Have fun. If the children see you enjoying what you do they will too.