During your first year of doing anything, you are trying to figure things out. Just like parenting and principalships, there is no manual for what to do and how to do it. Most of it is on the job experience. You learn by your fails which is great, but most of us have not been programmed to be forgiving of ourselves after fails. We want to get it right. As I reflected on things that I wished someone shared with me prior to teaching, other than don’t smile until Christmas, I thought about some practical tips that may be useful for someone that is starting out fresh as a teacher. Here are eight tips for a successful rest of your school year:
1. Omit the class management plan and build classroom community.
Too often we are consumed by pacing guides and coverage of content material that we forget to spend the time we need on building classroom community. What does that look like? Think of the courtesy and respect that you want from your colleagues on your hall or your neighbors on your street. What are some habits or behaviors that you exhibit among one another? Think about what this might look like in a classroom of caring students: class celebrations, student recognitions, townhalls etc. Get them to develop norms with you. What are our expectations of ourselves and our teacher to make this a place that we want to come to each day? Through this method, class management will take care of itself. Students build empathy with you and each other when the classroom is built around a community concept as opposed to learning about everything we can’t do in class. Try getting kids involved in the why beyond the what in your class expectations. You’ll appreciate the work you put forward in this approach and so will your students.
2. Take charge of your own professional learning.
For a long time I thought that the school would be the caretaker, leader and developer of my learning. I waited for the school to give me everything I needed. I watched certain people get selected for certain things and those people continued to get trained while I sat patiently for my turn. I was wrong with this thinking because my turn didn’t arrive until I took the wheel. If there is a conference that you want to attend, make plans to go. If there are books that you want to read, buy them, but don’t wait on anyone. Take ownership of where you want to see yourself professionally.
3. Set goals for yourself.
Setting goals for yourself can be aligned with taking charge of your professional learning. Consider what your gifts are. Nurture the areas of your talents and begin exploring and building upon those things. School leadership is not the only path, but if you are looking to lead, it begins while you are a teacher, not after you have left the classroom.
4. Join Twitter!
Twitter is one of the best professional development tools for educators. Twitter is a platform where you can grow your PLN or Professional Learning Network beyond your school building and school district. With Twitter, you are instantly connected with people that are teachers just like you or people that are in places that you want to go. If your next step is to be a principal, you are free to engage with principals that are already doing it. I have seen professional relationships blossom from Twitter where people have formed partnerships that they would have probably never formulated. Don’t be afraid to join because you don’t know what to do. Make mistakes and learn along the way, but don’t let it stop you from trying. You won’t regret it!
5. Join professional organizations that will benefit you.
There are so many organizations out there that are not cost effective for educators on a budget and every organization isn’t worth your membership. Join organizations that will ultimately benefit you. Organizations like ASCD provide you with free resources each month that can assist you in your craft, not to mention there is a FREE membership for first year teachers.
6. Connect with your parents EARLY!
Parents can be your biggest supporters. Building relationships with them is one of the most important investments that you can have. Start early with letters and thoughtful phone calls about how you wish to engage with them. Parents are sending you their best. It feels good to know that they are left in the hands of someone who cares each day. Think of ways to connect with parents and show them that educating their child works best in partnership.
7. Mentorship matters!
Who you are connected with formally and informally make a huge difference in where you are going. Typically, the school will connect you with a person that will help shape what you do and how you evolve as an incoming teacher. Then, there are those waiting to get you on board with their negative agendas. These people are patiently waiting in the wings because they are powerless without followers. These are the negative Normans and Nancy’s of the school. If your mentor fits in this category, ask for a new one because these people will ultimately have an impact on you whether you like it or not.
8. Get to know your students BEYOND test data.
This brings us back to community. Find out the interests of your students. Don’t collect data and do nothing with the information. Find out things that matter. How many of them are involved in after school activities? How many siblings do they have? How many of your students live with mom & dad? Is anyone homeless? We assume things about our students. Do they have support after school to assist with the types of assignments that you have given them? Data is so much more than test scores. This is why it is so important to get to know your students. Don’t treat everyone like they are the same with the same needs. We all bring really special components to our class community and it’s your job to find out what’s special about each kid.
With these few tips, you’re sure to have a great start. Make this your best year ever!