I was fortunate enough to ease into teaching. I started at a substitute and then moved into a full teaching position. All wasn't easy though. There are so many things that I have learned as a first year teacher. My tips to new teachers would be:
1. Get use to riding a roller coaster, teaching has its up and downs and loops, all within a day.
2. Know where to find help: veteran teachers, mentor teacher, a day for yourself (spa day, etc).
3. Try your best to leave work at work...I have NEVER taken work home with me on the weekends.
4. Be prepared to fall flat on your face and pick yourself back up...dust off your pride and keep going.
5. Don't be afraid to learn. You don't know everything, and will learn something new everyday!
6. MOST IMPORTANT...sit back and enjoy the ride, take in every experience, and don't blink, you will miss something!
Hi, Kendyl!
ReplyDeleteI am a fellow Sped teacher and ECAP intern and wanted to know if you had any more specific tips on leaving work at work. I've been told that my district requires more than others for Sped documents, data, etc., but there must be a way to keep from working at night and nearly every weekend.
Hi Kendyl,
ReplyDeleteI think your advice is right on the money. We all have to be okay with failure our first year. Its the whole dusting yourself off and getting back up that is important. Love your blog design and posts. Much luck to all of us as we approach the end of our first year. ; )
Hi Kendyl,
ReplyDeleteI also eased into teaching. I was a Kindergarten Teaching Assistant for 12 years before becoming a full time teacher.
Even after all that time in a classroom I learn something new every week.
I enjoyed your tips. You are on target! However, I must learn to leave work at work and not return to school on the weekends!!