Inside: We’ve all been through it – that much talked about first year of teaching. What did we learn from that experience? How can we encourage those who walk the path after us? This collaborative post shares ideas to encourage every first year teacher… and there might just be something us veterans need to hear too.
Hey First Year Teacher,
I see you and your cute color coded planner and heart of gold. I know you’re still working on building your professional wardrobe and thinking through a hundred questions and what if’s.
You know what? I love you! I met you at new employee orientation. We were both starting at the same district, and you were overly excited about your first year. I’m a ten year veteran teacher, and just eating lunch with you reminded me of my why.
In return for your gracious gift, I want to give you a foundation to stand on this year. For it will be a challenging year. Building the airplane while flying it- that’s what they say about your first year of teaching. It’s true, but think about how exhilarating it is to get to try.
Welcome to the grand adventure of teaching! We’ve been waiting for you, and can’t wait to help keep your passion strong. Just so you know- we’re here cheering you on.
From our experience to your heart:
Advice every first-year teacher needs to hear:
Relationships Matter More.
Do you ever feel like a professional juggler? The precarious balancing act of data tracking, contacting home, meetings, grading, oh, and let’s not forget lesson planning and teaching. Those are important too!
While you’re carrying the weight of the world, don’t forget that you need to build strong relationships – with students, parents, coworkers, and with administration. If you try to be an island, doing everything by yourself, you might survive. However, if you lock arms with the people around you, the odds are better that you’ll make it to May with a smile on your face.
Pro tip: Find the teachers who have been teaching a while and are still smiling. They know how to make it work in this profession.
Build relationships with students. They really will work harder for you and you’ll have less disruptions. Plus, students who like you will tell their parents and they tend to be happier as a result. However – you can’t be their friend. Have clear boundaries and expectations, but be reasonable.
– Amanda Hepburn, 15 year veteran teacher.
Always be kind to the secretary and custodians. They do a lot that goes unnoticed.
@spierce76 #teachersofinstagram
Treat Yourself!
Self-care is the latest and greatest rage, but its necessary for teachers. During my first years, I failed to take care of my needs. I practically lived at school. Then I had kids. With a newborn at home, and lack of sleep weighing heavy on my mind, I had to change my ways. I felt stuck though.
What made a difference was watching a veteran teacher. She also had a baby at home and coached me in the ways of being more efficient at work. She practically gave me permission to put my needs first. I will always be grateful for Emily Countryman.
What it looks like: Take a break on the weekends as much as possible. Make plans, slow down, eat your favorite foods, and laugh with your favorite people. If you don’t get a break, how can you recharge? If you’re empty, you won’t have anything left for your students. Burnout is a real thing.
Practically speaking: Drink water and go pee. Even if it means getting someone to watch your class. You don’t deserve severe bladder infections and other negative effects of dehydration, so take care of you.
You will find that your ‘other duties as assigned’ can become overwhelming. Ask other teachers for their system of managing all the additional responsibilities and then create something that works for you.
Erin Ryan, Veteran teacher and 4-8 ELAR District Coordinator
It’s okay to walk away from work at school. Breathe. Things will be okay.
@spierce76, #teachersofinstagram
Treat yourself by designing an adorably organized classroom! See how I organize my room with these farmhouse inspired class period labels.
Buy a Great Pair of Shoes!
That’s pretty much it. Your 40+ year old self will thank the adorable twenty something you for buying good shoes. Plantar fasciitis and sciatica are real scary things that you want to stay away from.
Pro tip: DSW has a great rewards program. Buy and earn points toward free shoes, and no, I’m not affiliated!
Learn to Say No.
Say it with me: N – O. No. (There you go!)
Another simple to say but difficult to carry out idea. When you do your job well, you will be asked to be a leader teacher. Beware! I got to the place where I was in so many leadership positions and on so many committees that I lost my heart for teaching. I was constantly getting pulled out of my classroom, so it was more challenging to maintain consistency.
It’s okay to get involved in the community of your school – it’s so exciting for students to see you outside of the classroom. However, be picky. Choose the right leadership positions and committees that overlap with your passions.
Growth is the goal. Growth is the victory. Make growth this year, not perfection.
@falonface #teachersofinstagram
Celebrate Small Wins!
There are going to be days where you question everything from your career choice to your sanity. That’s normal. Keep balanced by celebrating every small win.
Sam, a kid who usually never picks his head up off his desk, wrote one sentence today.
Zoe smiled today.
Jonas understood the objective for the first time all week.
You may not always have big wins, but there are daily victories to celebrate. Cash each day’s check and put it in your pocket. That way when the challenging days come, you have enough to get by.
I wish I had realized it couldn’t be perfect and that it will be okay anyway.
@sullyteaches – 11 year veteran teacher #teachersofinstagram
Trust Yourself.
Teaching someone’s lesson plan, without putting your own spin on it, will feel like trying on a glass slipper that doesn’t fit. You can definitely lean on your teammates, but ultimately, you need to trust yourself and your teacher instincts.
Feeling a little uncertain about your instincts? Pro Tip: You can only develop them through trial and error. Close your door and make the lesson your own! Check out this post on how to create powerful lessons for ELL students!
You will never be perfect. Give it your best effort and be ok with knowing you will make mistakes.
@slmcgill5 #teachersofinstagram
Stay true to yourself. The best teachers teach “outside the box” and are willing to take risks. Sometimes those risks scare others, but do it! You’ll learn and grow and so will your students.
@jodi.diorio #teachersofinstagram
Watch the veteran teachers. They are great resources to pull great ideas from, but stay true to your own personality.
– Amanda Hepburn, 15 year veteran teacher.
Keep Smiling!
Teaching is a demanding career. What’s amazing about it is that every day matters. You will see wide-eyed (sometimes crying) faces looking up at you every single day. You will go home tired with a full heart. What’s difficult about teaching is that it matters every day.
Sure, some days you’ll feel like a total failure, but you get the chance to get up and try again. Take every opportunity you can to show them persistence, growth mindset, and of course that great smile of yours.
With Love,
A Veteran Teacher Who is Rooting For You.
In case you need more inspiration, check out my previous post on life-changing literacy quotes.