Checking In With First-Year Teachers
Posted by Hope Spencer on 25 Aug 2009 | Posted in: Classroom Management, Inspiration and Motivation, Meet the Mailbox®, Teachers and Teaching
A few weeks ago, I asked editor Krystle Jones to give us some ideas from her first year of teaching. Because the first year is such an important experience, I’ve asked two more editors from The Mailbox® magazine to share memories of their first days in the classroom.
I was beside myself with excitement that morning as I entered the classroom that my assistant and I had spent many long hours preparing. The lesson plans that I had perfected over the weekend were in my supersize tote bag, which contained everything except the kitchen sink and my lunch (which was still sitting on the kitchen counter). After I set down my bag and massaged my aching shoulder, I checked the room one last time to be sure everything I needed for the day was in just the right spot. Soon, my little ones began arriving. We had a great day getting to know each other, touring the school, playing games, and reading favorite stories. My youngsters all left with smiles on their faces that told me their first day of school was just as great as mine. As I reflected on the day, I realized that I had only completed about half the things from my perfect plan. Every activity took longer than I anticipated, plus we had several unexpected guests and interruptions. I quickly learned the importance of being flexible because some days are just not going to go the way you plan.–Tina Peterson
I’ll never forget my first year teaching! The bulletin boards were colorful, my lesson plans were detailed, and everything was in its place! I was nervous and confident all at the same time. I was wearing a lovely, professional, long yellow dress. At the sound of the bell, I expected to hear the pitter-patter of little feet…and instead I heard loud voices, rolling laughter, and pounding feet. Oh my! I had envisioned greeting each and every child as he entered the classroom but instead quickly moved aside as the mob rushed through the door and took their seats. Okay, so began day one!
It didn’t take long to learn that respect is a mutual necessity in the classroom. I showed respect for my students and, thankfully, they responded in kind. (Caution: It took longer than one day!) Then I realized how much children love to learn, even when they don’t show it. I used this to my advantage! When your students feel good about themselves, they perform better. I can say the same for myself too! With respect, genuine care, and persistence to teach the skills in a variety of ways, there is no limit to what can be accomplished! I wish you the very best as you welcome the pitter-patter or the pounding of students’ feet; they are counting on you!–Lynn Drolet
Congratulations to Jamie Jo Hampton of Friendship Kids Preschool in Greenwood, Indiana. She is the winner of a copy of the Early Childhood Ultimate Plan book.
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19 Responses to “Checking In With First-Year Teachers”
More Comments Pages: « 1 [2] Show All Comments
More Comments Pages: « 1 [2] Show All Comments
I teach pre-k and i have 20 children and let me tell you it is no piece of cake. I go in with my schedule all made out for the week and have everything laid out to do and i never get everything completed. Just once i wish things would go as they were saposed to.
My first year teaching was a whirlwind. I was hired 3 days before the start of school. I made all the beginning of the year meets but had very little time to prepare my room, which had all the “extra” desks piled in it. Somehow it got done. Each day things did get better. Sadly as numbers go I was not needed the following year, so I was job searching again.
Year 2 I was hired on the Friday, school started on Tuesday!!! It was a different grade level so year 2 was like my first year all over again. New school, new grade and very little time to prepare. With the support of my new colleagues the first day went surprisingly well. Things grew from there. This year I am still in that very same school. Yet it feels like year 1 again. This is the first year I have actually had time to prepare for the first day of school and I really wonder how I managed those first 2 years, it seems like I still did not get things as ready as I expected. The first day was successful and each day just gets better!!!!
I like how Jamie (post #1) compared the 1st year teaching to marriage! So true. I’ve always thought it was like your freshman year of college. The first semester you’re totally awkward and stressed out, staying late at school every night and hardly sleeping. And by 2nd semester, you’re a pro! And you don’t even remember those stressed out days from the past
I wish everyone who’s starting as a new teacher the best of luck!! I hope you all find good teachers at your school to help!
I’m graduating with my Elementary Education degree in December, so I’m hoping to be a “first-year teacher” in January - if that works out for me! It’s great to hear that every first day isn’t scary or completely overwhelming, and that everything gets better day by day.
My first year of teaching was in 1980. I remember feeling very excited and very inadequate compared with the teachers across the hall. There were so many decisions to make…desk arrangements, posters, bulletin boards, lessons, etc! I felt overwhelmed!The lesson I taught flew by because the kids had knowledge of the prerequisites, so I had to think how I would fill up the rest of the time. We couldn’t just look at each other! Every day got better and better that is for sure! And I’m still teaching and excited that my daughter will start her first year of teaching this year! I’m sure we’ll have daily chats to compare ideas. When teachers support each other, it makes our job so much easier and more enjoyable. Just like all the wealth of ideas we get from Mailbox!
After 6 years of teaching small groups of students as a Title 1 teachers, I began my “first year” all over again when I became “the librarian.” I had forgotten those feelings of inadequacy and exhaustion that often accompany first year teachers. It is now my 3rd year in this position and when asked by other new librarians what it’s like, I tell them it is your “first year” all over again, with all the excitement and anticipation, but also with the wisdom from experience.
My first day so exciting, and scary! I was very prepared, or so I thought! Kind of what they say about marriage, the first year is the hardest. This year I feel like an old vet, I have easier plans, know what works, and field trips are much less stressful!