As I move into my sixth year of teaching, I've learned a few things. Some have been hard learned lessons and others just ways to make life easier.
Make Time for You
This I've always believed from the start. My first student teaching placement supervisor was a high school Social Studies/ELA teacher. He had family and was completely dedicated to being able to spend time with them. He got all of his work done before leaving for the day. His reasoning - You spend so much of life working that you don't get to enjoy time with your loved ones. So #1, make time for you (and your family). Don't let school become your entire life. Have fun and do things outside of work!
Know Your Students
I've mainly taught at rural school districts. From this, I've learned to speak "tractor" and "redneck". In addition, you learn how to predict absences based on when hunting season really starts. A lot of kiddos around here will start to wear camo (which can also been seen year round if truth be told).
The point of it all is - get to know your students. If you can take military tactics and relate them to a football play, your football players will most likely pay more attention. If your kids love duct tape - have at it. If you all like the same kinds of foods - great! When you know your students, you can tailor lessons to best capture their attention and get them excited for what's next.
Do Your Research
Sometimes you just get stuck. One large brain fart and it feels like you don't quite know what to do for the next year, lesson, class. The best thing about this modern era is the internet - so use it! There are plenty of blogs out there with helpful hints, tips, plans, powerpoints, etc. Find someone who inspires you and follow them! Also, Pinterest gives you a great way to scope out what's available before you get too lost in the land of information...
You Don't Have to Make Everything From Scratch
Almost the same as Do Your Research. But realize that not everything has to be made from scratch. There are perfectly good resources out there that you can use without stressing yourself out. In fact, remember to ask other teachers what the use and if you can use theirs. I think too many new teachers try too hard to make their own that they get overwhelmed. Perhaps leading to burnout?
Get Organized
It's way too easy to forget where papers went and things occasionally got lost. There's nothing worse than losing that one child's HW. So get organized. Keep folders in a binder so everything is close at hand. There are many teachers out there who use a "Teacher Binder". I have just started to use on and it's working out great! I wish I had seen one sooner! My binder has everything from schedules, student data, lesson plans, meeting minutes, to parent contact logs. Come time for APPR summative evaluation, everything's ready to go! Plus, it makes life so much easier and lessens some stress.
Get Connected/Be Seen
It's important to get out into the community. Both the school community and the town's community where you teach. I feel it's important that the kids know that you exist outside of school. Perhaps it'll help them stay off the streets, but it lets them know that you're out there and you care. In addition, it will really help you to get to know parents, students you might not have, and other teachers. The worst thing you can do is stay in your room, squirreled away.
So get out there! Get involved with school sports, with musicals, with marching band, go to games. If you can, try to find something where you can volunteer in the community. I volunteer with an Emergency Squad and you wouldn't believe how many kids visit our EMS tent at events just to say hello. Shop local if you can, too. This lets parents see you and you see them in a setting that isn't all about their kids or school. In all reality, it's about making connections and building relationships with the community you're in.
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