August '08: Advice for the 1st Years

Going into this year of teaching, it almost seems like I have been doing it for a long time. My advice for the First Years includes the following:

Plan. Plan. Plan. Always have a plan. Always make a plan. Always have a back-up plan. Things do NOT always go as they are supposed to in school, so for every plan, make sure that you have an alternative if the copier breaks; you have to hold home room for two hours; if you are supposed to do some things on your planning period and your principal has you covering another teacher’s room. Always have a plan.
Be courteous to others. You never know who can help you out at the school. Be nice to everyone (that’s just the Southern thing to do anyway). It will get you far! Janitors, Secretaries, Librarians-these people need to become your new best friends. They can should where supplies and books are that no one else would even dream about knowing. They also know what teachers have what supplies. They are the backbone of the school. Keep these people close. Be nice to the cafeteria people as well. If you are a hungry person, they will “hook you up” from time to time. They also don’t mind saving some of the good things behind so that you can get them.

Be a hard donkey. Your kids may seem like little angels in your classroom for the first week and a half; however they are really just testing you and learning you to see what they will be able to get away with. Be CONSISTENT. Don’t bow on a rule, because you like the student, and they act better than Johnny. Even if kids cannot pick up on your lesson or anything that you try to teach them, they will pick up on bias in a heartbeat! Be fair. They are human beings.

It’s ok, if you can’t get everything done at one time. Pick a task, do it and do the rest later. Don’t make school your entire life, because it WILL consume you. Find people, non teachers and talk to them from time to time. They will just keep you sane. When you still converse with your fellow teachers, make sure that outside of school, you call them by their first name. Hearing your first name from time to time, keeps you grounded! Last, but not least, try, try, TRY not to talk about your students. Make yourself have a life.

Use the students to your advantage. Many times you will have kids who beg to clean the board, sweep the classroom, and file the papers…LET THEM! Take some stress off of you and let them maintain the classroom. They want to do it, and you should want the help. Disclaimer: I am NOT telling you to break any confidentiality agreements. You will get to know your students. As they say at school, “use your professional judgement.” :)

Call parents early about the good things. Don’t wait until the child is completely horrible, before you call. The parents will not want to hear that bad news and will be less receptive of it. On the same note, don’t be afraid to call parents. Some parents do not know what their child is doing in your class. Many will handle their child at home after you speak with them. There are some parents who don’t care, but you have to take that risk. At least when you call, you have documentation that you have tried to contact the parent about the child’s behavior and still a solution has not been reached.

The final, most important piece of advice is to let the students know that you care. If students know that you believe in them and that you won’t give up on them, they will do their best for you. They might not lean towards you at first, but eventually, they will appreciate you for always staying on them to help them be better. Remember, to be a real teacher you have to love what you do!

August '08: First Days of School: Growing Up

The first days of school this year were much better than the previous year. As soon as my students approached my door, I made sure that they were in the right class, checked their uniform, and directed them to their assigned seat. I forgot how it was to have SO many students in the class. When they came in, there were instructions and an assignment on the board.

For the past week and a half we have only covered rules and procedures. They just took a test on it today and can expect another test in the near future. The students and I took turns modeling good procedures. They corrected my bad procedures and defined my rules over and over again. I think they were getting a little sick of my rules and procedures, but hey, that’s life. I have heard many good things though. For example, the Librarian told me that she overheard my students in the hallway saying, “Ms. Siwell has a rule for EVERYTHING!” Of course they meant procedures, but it was still funny, and I fell out laughing. Hopefully, I’m doing something right.

I have everything set up almost the way I want it. I also have almost all of my supplies. Again, I say, MAKE FRIENDS with everyone! (See the other blog entrance for 1st year advice.)

Things are going so good this year that I almost seems to be a fairy tale. I keep waiting for something else to happen so I’ll know it’s reality.

So far, based on the past few days, I would say that this is going to be a GREAT year.

How am I different from last year?

This part is a little harder to describe. Honestly, I don’t think too much is different from last year except that I have more students and a larger classroom. I think I have grown more as a professional. I look for more Professional Development workshops. I view myself as more of an adult now. At first I used to think, “Who am I telling these kids what to do,” but now I feel comfortable as their teacher. It’s funny at times, because we listen to the same music and watch the same videos. This year I know my students better, because I had some of them last year at the alternative school. They have already spread the word about how “mean” I am and how I “don’t play no games”! I think that’s helped a lot too, because the new students (sisters, brothers, cousins and friends of my alternative students and in some classes my alternative students who failed last year) know that I mean business and I follow through with what I say!

I guess the biggest thing that is different from last year is that I am just comfortable as a teacher. I know my role and I know what I have to do in order to teach my students effectively. I have stopped second guessing myself as much as I used too and wondering if I did the right thing. I have a lot of confidence in my ability to manage a classroom. I am not saying that I am super teacher by no means, but I can say that I have grown.