April '09 Blog #1: A Note To The Incoming First Years From An Exiting 2nd/3rd Year

As you embark upon your journey into MCT land, I first commend you. It is NOT eay being a teacher. Those who believe this career will just give you extra time to do whatever else you want in live will be very disappointed. Teaching is hard! However, the gratification that you will get from it will probably be one of the greatest rewards you’ll receive in your live. You will have an opportunity to affect children in a wy that you will not even realize. You will be tested, tried, bruised and broke,, but please, please-Don’t give up. These students need you and your experiences and a part of your life. Teach them all that you are required to teach, but also teach them how to be better people. Teach them how to hare, be respectful, be responsible, and be productive.

Will you save every child? Unfortunately, no. It’s hard to see a child go down the wrong path. Do what you can, but realize that you can’t do everything. Don’t spend all of your time trying to stay afloat. One teacher told me that you’ll never get caught up; the idea is to do as much as you can in a given amount of time. Spend time with your friends, family, and with those who do not address you as Mr. or Ms. Do not expect everything to be perfect to just work out the way you planned. Yes, the system is flawed-Don’t expect to change it all your 1st year. Accept what you can change, do the best that you can and move on for the next year. Be genuine. Recognize and respect southern (Mississippi) culture. It’s ok if they call you mam or sir, even though you didn’t do that growing up. They are SUPPOSED to and don’t accept nothing less. You are a teacher. Say it to yourself over and over and over again. You will gain teacher confidence over time.

Demand respect. No, the students do not have to like you, but they MUST respect your. Don’t try to be friends with them. You are here to teacher them. Some days you will cry, be frustrated, and want to scream. Find ways to deal with your anger/frustration and stress. Join a gym or go out with friends or other MCTers living near you. Vent, vent, vent. They understand your struggle. Try not to let the students discourage you, they want to know that you’ll stay and that you care about them. Once they realize that, things usually get easier.

PLAN, PLAN, PLAN, and then PLAN some more. Use the time when you leave summer school to plan for the first month of teaching. Once school starts everything will move quickly. The more you have planned, the easier your duration will be. If you lack time management skills, start learning and practicing them during the summer. You will absolutely need this. Through it all-crazy administration, ever-changing schedules, crazy students, crazy parents, crazy you-stay POSITIVE, KEEP SMILING, and HAVE FUN. Remember even when it seems like you aren’t, you are making a difference.