TEACHERS...I have a question for you

[kwormann]

This is probably a silly time to do this with a holiday weekend coming up, but I can always bump:)


I am working on a book project right now. I am gathering all of my best REAL WORLD tips for beginning teachers. Ya know the ones....the ones that are basically OPPOSITE of what Mr. PhD told you in your textbook in college. Im writing this in the voice of a experienced/new teacher (Im beginning year 5)

Ive got about 13 pages of notes right now, but am looking for any others.

*Disclaimer* Any info you share with me is fare game for the project and may some day be published (this is me thinking positively:D)) If you dont want me to use it, please dont tell it to me....OR if you want, email me your "reference" info and I will reference you in the project:)

TIA!

[lisalee]

That you don't have to make all the supplies for your classroom-during my student teaching I had to make all the games etc. I still do make a lot of them, however there are some good products out there.

That there will be days that you truly wonder why you ever decided to be a teacher!

That the lesson plan you are sure will fly so well, may not however the simple thing you do will be the greatest hit!

Remember to laugh with the kids, even if it might because of you.

:)

That the day your most difficult student (the one you were sure would be the death of you) turns around and makes positive growth and "gets it" will be one of the best (if not the best) days

That having students come and say you made a difference takes away all the stress.

Lisa

[kwormann]

Originally posted by lisalee
That you don't have to make all the supplies for your classroom-during my student teaching I had to make all the games etc. I still do make a lot of them, however there are some good products out there.

That there will be days that you truly wonder why you ever decided to be a teacher!

That the lesson plan you are sure will fly so well, may not however the simple thing you do will be the greatest hit!

Remember to laugh with the kids, even if it might because of you.

:)

That the day your most difficult student (the one you were sure would be the death of you) turns around and makes positive growth and "gets it" will be one of the best (if not the best) days

That having students come and say you made a difference takes away all the stress.

Lisa

Thanks LIsa

How bout the one that says at the end of the year "Now I can spell LOVE!!! I didnt know how to spell love at the beginning of the year and NOW I DO :D

That ALL teachers go through wondering if they are good at first and have trouble organizing, etc!

[lisalee]

The best gift I ever received from a parent was a note that said because of my work with her daughter-"You taught my daughter to dream and to understand that she could reach her dreams." I have spent most of my teaching career working with ld students and so have spent much time talking to them about the things they can do.

Also-how about that no one comes out of college knowing how to handle every situation, with control, and Knowing Everything!

Lisa

[kwormann]

Lisa you are great:)

[Beth]

Lisalee, I'm not a teacher, but they should remind folks who go to law school and medical school of the same thing. As a lawyer, I can tell you that law school gives you tools and ways to approach and think about problems, but little or no pratical skills for dealing with them once you think about them. Most baby lawyers won't be worth their paycheck for several years.

All the degrees in the world won't teach you everything you need to know about work or life, but if you keep your eyes, ears and heart open, the people and challenges you encounter along the way can help fill in some of the blanks.

[akairo]

Between the two of them they have 80 years experience.

If at all possible arrange to have your Math classes first thing in the morning when the students are fresh. This is when students will have the best success. They always began their morning with a segment called "Rockets." "Rockets" are a series of Math problems on the chalkboard for students to do as they come into class. They are review of what has already been covered in class. Repitition strengthens understanding.

Tamara

[Violanan]

A very wise PhD gave me this advice, and I followed it successfully for most of my 36 years in education:

Give your students something beautiful to look at every day...a wonderful rock you picked up, a pin on your shirt that's beautiful, a flower on your desk, a picture of the clouds, a print you love..the list goes on an on. Soon your students will be bringing you things they think are beautiful to share with the class..so you have a never-ending supply.
So many of my students years later talked about the "beautiful things table" and how it meant so much to them.

Nancy

[SallyCC]

Kim,
I have been a special education teacher for 26 years and there are so many things I like to share with new teachers. New teachers help inspire, 'shake up' and question what we are doing and why we are doing it!!

Some thoughts that I share with my student teachers:

Be in education for the 'right' reasons...its a tougher job than most people realize and you will quickly learn that you can't 'fake' it.
You need to love kids....enjoy them as people and as fellow learners in "Earth School".

Get connected with your students. Find something you like in your most difficult students that will help keep you going!! This also applies to other difficult people you need to work with in the course of your days.

Always keep the "whole child" in mind...you don't teach a subject (i.e., Math), you truly effect lives and your words can build confidence or tear an ego down. Be a builder!!
When considering the whole child, remember the family is a major component--there are stressors in every family...communicate with the student's family in a respectful, professional way.

Remember that our students are also our teachers....be open to their voice. I have learned so much from my most challenging students just by listening to them.

Remember your role with your students. In helping my students be responsible for their behavior, learning, and self, I may be the person who has to ask the tough questions, discuss consequences, support and encourage good decision making...this may not happen overnight and I need to remind myself that my role is to guide them on this path. When they reach a bump...be there and be ready!!


Well, that's it for now..I'll add more later.

Sally

[slawrence]

This isn't from the teacher perspective, but something I thought of a student from long ago (30 yr reunion was this weekend).....My H.S. English teacher was a woman I looked up to and still do after all these years. I finally wrote to her 13 years ago to tell her what an impact her love for reading had on my life. We still communicate during the year. My point is, she always hoped to have impact like that-I am so glad she was in my life and because of her influence, Ayn Rand, Tennessee Williams, and many more are in my life as well. Great idea for a project! Good luck! Sue

[bmonczka]

A tip for a new teacher would definitely be to remember it gets easier! I remember being really, really stressed my first 3 years and watching people in my dept leave at 3 pm with no bags, no huge piles of papers, etc..thinking how in the world???? Suddenly, it all clicks and you get it together. Lessons become easier, things get reused- lessons, ideas, etc.., grading becomes more organized, you stop lugging half your school life home. This is the first summer I don't feel like I need two extra months just to prepare for next year.

Run off as much materials for next school year as you can during the last week before summer vacation starts (i.e. syllabi, intro materials, etc.) It is a life saver that first week of school when you have a million other things to do.

Also another thing I'm glad I did, was to start a praise folder. I keep it in my desk file drawer and anytime I get any sort of thank you or acknowledgement I throw it in there. My second year teaching (I was insane!!!) I organized a trip to NYC with 10 students (I teach high school marketing). The trip was great but the nicest part was the flowers that a parent sent me after saying what a great time their daughter had and how it was a really big trip to organize, etc..You don't get a whole lot praise sometimes for your work but when you do it's nice to hold on too. It's even better to open up the folder on those really bad days and read some of the thank you cards or notes. Makes you remember why you do what you do.

[kwormann]

Thanks for all the help friends!

Im leaving for a trip but Ill be anxious to check this next week to see if there are any other pearls of wisdom:)

[beckms]

I'm not a teacher, but I have been a student for a while now...here are some things that have impacted my life more than the teacher could have known:

1)NEVER EVER tell a student that he/she will never understand something. I know this seems obvious, but when I was in 10th grade my chemistry teacher told me that I would never understand chemistry and I shouldn't bother asking questions. (I can hear all of you fainting to the floor as I type). Guess what happened? I stopped asking questions and I didn't learn chemistry. That is, until I had a real-world experience AFTER college that made me realize I wanted to become a vet. And in two months, I will start my first year of vet school, with several semesters of advanced chemistry under my belt! :D

2)If you are so proud of a student that you want to cry, then cry. My 11th/12/grade English teacher would sit at her desk with tears of joy streaming down her face when students gave presentations. She told us all the time how proud she was of us and how smart we were and how the most important thing in the world was to love people and love learning. She was one of my most inspiring teachers. Her son is autistic. Her husband died of ALS last year. And she is still one of the most joyful people I know. Her name is Mrs. Green, and she is an English teacher at Brighton High School in Brighton, NY.

3)At the end of the year, make a list of things YOU have learned from your students. I had a college professor that did this, and she has won at least one teaching award every year since she started at Rice 5 years ago(Michele Hebl, Psychology, Rice U.). I remember how special it made me feel to watch her stand in front of a lecture hall of 80 students and tell US how awed and humbled she was to have such an amazing opportunity to teach us.

4) Laugh at yourself, and do it often. With the kids. It's more fun to have a teacher who seems human.

5) Go to performances and extra-curricular events that your students are in. During my sophomore year in college, I was in a very select singing group. The day after one of our performances that had not been very well-attended, my Physics professor, who was about 100 and had a reputation for being a real bear, handed back my quiz with a note at the top telling me how wonderful he had thought my performance was the day before. I think I failed the quiz, but I felt so honored that he had taken the time to recognize me outside of class.

I've been lucky to have some really awesome teachers...without some of them, I never would have gotten to where I am now! :D

[kwormann]

First of all, nothing to SAY about that chem teacher!

I have been known to go to activities of my students and I have really enjoyed it! I LOVE the idea of telling students what I learn from them. ESPECIALLY with first graders. Little ones dont usually think they are old enough to teach anyone! Im going to start a little journal at the beginning of the year for this!!!

When I taught older kids, I told them at the beginning of the year I was a terrible speller (totally the truth!) They could earn rewards if they caught me spelling something wrong! I know some teachers dont agree with this, but I think its nice for students to know I have shortcomings!!!

disclaimer....many of the mispellings you may see on this board are from my typing skills....they are worse than my spelling skills! :)

[tbb113]

In the same vein as telling your students when they've "done good", its also nice to call the parents. When I was in 6th grade, my teacher called my mother to compliment me. She said that she never did it in the past, but thought my mother would like to hear nice things. My mother substitute taught at one school, told her principal about it, and after that each teacher was requested to call one parent a month to compliment a child.

[bmonczka]

I agree with calling parents with good news. Too often, we only call home when there are problems, parents (and students) are really pleasantly surprised when you call to tell them great things. I usually try to call home a few times a semester (not too often or word gets around and I think it appears fake) and tell parents how a great a student's presentation was, project, etc..It's really nice to acknowledge the kids who don't usually get acknowledged but you know worked hard and proceeded above and beyond. Keeping kids projects from year to year is great too, when you ask them if you can keep their work they are really touched. These then serve as great examples of what your expecting in the end (give or take- I keep a wide variety because I believe the more creative the better, my projects often don't have a set in stone end format but some basis so I can actually grade them!)

I love the comment about a sense of humor- many kids don't get mine but I still attempt to be humorous- once in awhile someone laughs!

YES, tell them your flaws- too often teachers portray themselves to their students as if they know all- I wholeheartedly admit to kids when I don't know something but promise to find out for them (and actually find out!).

As for the comment about spelling, my downfall is math (and my artistic representative of who knows what drawings on the board), kids get a kick out me whipping out the calculator to do what might be simple retail calculations but I think it also makes some feel less intimidated- you don't have to do "simple" math in your head- don't try to impress me, give me the calculator! My students run a school store and have to balance cash drawers, do bookkeeping and other retail math situations and they always want to add everything up in their head.

This is a great thread!! It gets me pumped for next year already:D

[lisalee]

I want to add my 1/2 cents worth about calling parents for good news. I called one of my student's parents this year to say how pleased I was with the student. They were so stunned that I called that it took several times of saying who I was to get through to them that I was serious. I also think laughing with students is important. I can't wait to see the students again!

Lisa

[Kay Henderson]

I shared some thoughts in a previous thread:

http://community.cookinglight.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=40429

Good luck in your quest!

[ambercita]

I agree with so many of everyone's ideas! One thing I would add for the new teacher would be to seek out and make friends with the custodial staff, secretaries, and librarians/media staff. These people are sooooooo valuable and can really help you out with "inside information."

--Amy

[bmonczka]

I completely second the tip about making friends with the custodial, secretarial, etc. staff. I have been successful at doing this and have noticed in the "custodial request book" that people have to ask 4 or 5 times to get things done and they get really nasty about it too- demanding things, they write snide little comments, etc.. I just write thanks and draw a little happy face and its done in a very reasonable time. Sometimes teachers get a little haughty about their position in the building and forget everyone there is necessary to educate the students. Our staff is very, very helpful but I'm sure if I treated them like dirt they wouldn't be- as I've seen others do!:eek:

[kwormann]

WOW it is so nice to come back from a great trip and see all these wonderful tips:)