Aug
2014
New Teacher Nerves
In 25 days, a new chapter of my life will begin. I will start my teaching career; what I have worked so hard towards for the past four years. And even though I went through school to learn how to become a teacher, I feel like my learning is just beginning. There are many ups and downs as a new teacher, and the learning curve is huge. I have many apprehensions and at times I feel very unprepared. I wish I had a better understanding of what I will experience for my first year, how I should handle certain situations, and even how I should organize my academic year.
Since I have so many unanswered questions, it has been very helpful for me to collaborate with other teachers and educators. There is so much to learn from other teachers who are engaged online and willing to share resources, ideas, and helpful tips. Technology plays a huge role in preparing me for my upcoming teaching year. I am lucky to be a teacher in a time that allows me to share and gather resources online. I can connect with other educators through blogs, Twitter, Pinterest, Teachers Pay Teachers, and even Facebook. I find that teachers who are connected online and are active with social media are quick to answer questions and help me with my uneasiness about my first year of teaching!
25 days from now will be the start of an unfamiliar experience, and to say I’m nervous is an understatement. I feel like I have so much more to understand and prepare for, but at the same time, I have to take everyday as it comes. I realize that things won’t always run smoothly and will probably seem chaotic at times, but I will continue to learn from my mistakes and experiences as I go along.
As a first year grade 3/4 teacher, I would love to hear any advice, tips, or ideas from other experienced teachers. I am excited to experience my first year of teaching alongside other educators by connecting online! I plan on using blogging and Twitter in the classroom, so any advice on how to get things started in those areas would be great. Let me know your thoughts!
-Amanda
Michelle Smart
August 8, 2014 at 9:26 pm (10 years ago)Thank you for being so open and honest about your hopes and fears at the beginning of your career. What a great thing to be able to reach out to your PLN. I think the most important piece of advice I have to offer out to you would be to take time to get to know your students and build relationships before you worry about anything else. Building relationships and accepting your students as individuals where they are will get you off to a good start. Teaching is not easy but very rewarding. Live each day and learn always. I still say almost every day “I am going to live Andersen from that” Best of luck with your start up and enjoy your first year .
Amanda Brace
August 9, 2014 at 7:49 pm (10 years ago)Thanks Michelle! I am very thankful for my PNL and am truly learning the benefits of connecting online especially from all the advice I am getting by sharing my blog post! You are so right, relationships are key, and I will focus on that!
Lorne Maier
August 8, 2014 at 11:01 pm (10 years ago)I hope you have a fantastic beginning to your teaching career! You are very fortunate to have social media to help you network with colleagues, something I would have loved to have when I was in my first year! Remember to make some time for yourself amid the stress and craziness of a first year teacher; ours is truely the greatest profession!
Amanda Brace
August 9, 2014 at 7:50 pm (10 years ago)I think I need to remind myself of that, to take time for myself, because sometimes I let the craziness take over! I will focus on a balanced life especially for my first year. Thanks!
Allison
August 8, 2014 at 11:41 pm (10 years ago)Dear Amanda,
I agree wholeheartedly with Michelle. Work to build relationships with your students and their families. It will be the single most important foundation for the rest of your career. If you are worried about behaviour management, relationship building will help you with this. Watch and learn from your students as they will inspire you and guide your preparation and planning of their time with you. You already plan to connect with as many educators as possible. This is an excellent way for you to continue your own learning and benefit from their experience. It is also important to look after your own health and wellbeing. Don’t let your work take over your life. Don’t spend all of your time planning and preparing for your classes. Don’t allow your students to feel that you live your life for them. That sets a poor example for them. In fact allow them to discover glimpses of your private life, your favourite places to go for holidays, special family celebrations, your pets. If you share these things with them, they will share a little of their life with you……that’s what helps you to build those positive relationships. Finally always be quick to show your joy and happiness to be with them, curb frustration or anger, even if you feel it. You teach your students more than just the set curriculum. The person you are teaches them a great deal more.
Amanda Brace
August 9, 2014 at 7:53 pm (10 years ago)Thanks for the awesome words of wisdom Allison! I so often think that my private life or personal likes and dislikes need to be hidden, but kids can really connect and learn from my life experiences! I need to remind myself of your advice as I go through my first year.
Paul
August 9, 2014 at 11:00 am (10 years ago)Congratulations Amanda. You are about to embark on a wonderful journey. I will suggest 3 things to help you get started: Focus on what’s good for kids, Persist in the face of adversity, and Be a learner.
1. You will encounter a series of time guzzlers, interfering and often conflicting “things” that will get in your way. Stay focused on what you think each of your students needs. When you become distracted (by an upset parent, a disgruntled colleague, a late bulk order) make sure you remember that you students need you to stay focused on them.
2. Teaching is hard. Schools are tough places to work. Your plan will fail more often than it works. Kids are unpredictable. You must never ever give up. Teaching is very very emotional. You will work tireless to create a great learning opportunity and a student or parent will make you cry because it was so “awful”. You have to go home, reflect and get right back at it. Persistence and resilience are the keys to success.
3. As a new teacher you might be the best in your class, however, as a teacher you suck. I wish someone had told me that when I was starting out. I might not have been eaten alive by grade 7s. Ok, I am being a bit silly. The real message is you have to start learning now and you must continue to learn to become a better teacher. You have experts all around you. Work with them as professional learners and you will find that teaching becomes more of a science every day. Embrace a “growth mindset”.
Amanda Brace
August 9, 2014 at 7:47 pm (10 years ago)Thanks for the amazing advice Paul! I will definitely embrace a growth mindset with a lot of reflection.