S'More from the AP
Week Ending April 10, 2015
First Year - Far Better Than Fantasy! by Ms. Faulkner
I will never forget my first morning before school began, sitting in my room with a million thoughts running through my head. “What will the kids be like? Do I have everything I need? Do I know the schedule for the day? What if some sit and cry all day? What if one throws a temper tantrum?” Mind you, these are all things that I have spent weeks and years planning and preparing for, but at that moment I felt like a fish out of water. I am not sure there has been another time in my life when I have felt more emotions all at once. Suddenly the kids and their parents began filing in one by one, adrenaline kicked in and before I knew it, 2:50 rolled around and my first day of teaching was done. Now here I am, my first year almost over, and I find myself with more knowledge and experience than I ever imagined I could have gained in one year.
I think most teachers will say the first year of teaching is an unforgettable one, filled with exponential growth as both a person and teacher. A lot of first year teachers feel like that first year was one of “drowning.” I can honestly say that, while I was overwhelmed at many times, I always felt like I stayed afloat, because of the amazing support I received and the lessons I learned. I have built incredible friendships and memories I will always cherish. I have created a foundation of teaching strategies and styles to rely on. I have witnessed what a positive work environment can do for both teachers and students. I have been empowered by the strong support of my principals.
These are my “pick six” tips that I believe are essential for a first year teacher to know, as well as great reminders for veterans.
Pick 6 Tips!
1. Ask for help!
It seems so simple, yet so many people, including myself, have a hard time admitting they need it. There is no weakness in accepting that you may not know everything or have all the answers. There is always someone out there who can help you. I have never been very good at this, just because I never liked “burdening” people, but I finally realized that asking for help isn’t about me, or the person I am asking. It is about my children. Everything I do in this profession is to better the people around me, especially my students. I am doing a disservice to them by not expressing my confusion and questions to others and getting the help and answers I need. Never be afraid to ask for help, whether it is your first of year teaching or your twentieth year of teaching. Part of being a teacher is the never-ending process of learning and growing in your profession, so keep asking until you find someone who can help!
“The strong individual is the one who asks for help when he needs it.”
2. It is never going to perfect!
Everyone knows the infamous saying “a teacher’s work is never done.” This is something that I went into the school year preparing myself for, but it was still a huge challenge. The most important thing I had to learn was that just because my checklist was not completed did not mean that I was a bad teacher or failing my kids. It is never all going to get done and it is never going to be perfect. Some lessons will flop and some will be a total success! A huge part of this job is trial and error. What works with one group of kids, may not work with another. I finally came to terms with the fact that my first year may not be the year where every single one of my kids leaves kindergarten exactly where I would like them to be. My main goal was to instill in my students a love for learning, a self-confidence they did not have before, and the skills to be a kind and caring peer. This was a year for me to learn and at the end of the day, I showed up to work every day with a smile, prepared, and ready to teach them in every possible way.
“If everything was perfect, you would never learn and you would never grow.”
3. Have confidence!
Your way may be the right way! As a first year teacher, you are constantly looking at other teaching styles of experienced and veteran teachers. While learning from colleagues and exposing yourself to other methods and ideas is vital for this job, I also realized that my way of doing or teaching something may be what’s best for me and my kids. It took me awhile to figure out that, although this was my first year, I still had a lot of knowledge and great ideas that I could contribute as well! I got a degree, and subsequently a job, for a reason. Having confidence in my ability to teach was key to my success this year.
“You have to expect things from yourself before you can do them.”
4. Plan and prepare!
There was an undeniable difference in the days I was planned and prepared, and the days I was falling behind. I do not have years of experience to fall back on, so I needed to make sure that I was as prepared as possible. In the beginning, that meant lots of late nights and frequent trips up to school on the weekends. Now that I know the tasks I need to get done and the time it will take me, it means utilizing my time at school as best I can. Being prepared is beyond important for this profession; however, some of our best lessons, moments, activities and discussions as a class came from impromptu ideas. While I am not at all condoning lack of preparation, I am simply referring back to my “it is never going to be perfect” tip. On the days where your I’s are not all dotted and your T’s are not all crossed, there is beauty in using your knowledge, skills, imagination, and creativity as a teacher (combined with a little improve) to give your students an impactful and fulfilling lesson.
“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” “Success is where preparation and opportunity meet.”
5. Live outside your job!
This was by far the hardest lesson for me to learn this year. In order to put forth your best effort and attitude at any job, you have to fill yourself up. While we all wish we could live like the “energizer bunny”, most of us cannot. Everyone has their limit of how much time and effort they can give to a job, or anything for that matter, until they run out and need a break. I learned quickly that staying late every single night and coming up every weekend affected my motivation, patience, and joy during the day. Going home and rebooting your system is sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself, your students and your colleagues. Spend time with friends and family, exercise, partake in hobbies you enjoy, and rest and relax in those much needed quiet times.
“Be steady and well-ordered in your life so that you can be fierce and original in your work.”
6. Get to know the world around you!
There are no words for how important this tip was for me. Getting to know my students, their personalities, learning styles and the “world” they lived in, made an indescribable difference in my relationship and effectiveness with them. I made it a priority to build a uniquely special bond with each and every student of mine. True change and growth is best achieved when relationships are built. Just like life, this job is not possible without a support system. The bond that I have formed with my teammates and coworkers is irreplaceable. Whether it is venting frustrations, sharing a laugh, receiving support, or getting some advice, the role that your teammates play are sometimes all that keep you going on any given day. The love and support that I have felt from my team, staff, and administration is more than I could have ever imagined. I was encouraged in times of discouragement. I was recognized in times of success. I was supported in times of need. Strive to get to know the people you are working with, it makes a monumental difference!
“Remember, we all stumble, every one of us. That’s why it’s a comfort to go hand in hand.”
“Do more than belong: participate. Do more than care: help. Do more than believe: practice. Do more than be fair: be kind. Do more than dream: work.”
~William Ward
The Principal Ponders
Why Do We Teach?
“ Those who can, do. Those who can’t, teach”
This quote from George Bernard Shaw’s Man & Superman is often used to disparage teachers by implying those that can do something well can do it for a living, while those that are not able to do anything well, can make a living by teaching. REALLY? I have always taken issue with this quote for the obvious reasons and I think that teachers everywhere will agree that they did not enter the profession for the money. So why do we do what we do?
I came across an article published in the Boston Globe in late 2014, which asked 6 first-year teachers what it was that drew them to the teaching profession. Here are their reasons:
“For me, teaching means connection. I’m interested in contributing to social justice by helping young people become more thoughtful, kind, and engaged.” Leaf Elhai, 23, Fenway High School, Boston
“I know this is where I belong. I always felt like I could connect with kids.” Jenny Garrity, 22, Harrington Elementary School, Lynn
"I want to right the world for another child. I have a 9-year-old son with autism and when you have a child with special needs your whole world is turned upside down. And the people who righted my world, Riley’s world, and my family’s, were his teachers.” Susan Roy, 53, East Elementary School, Hingham
“I believe in the greatness within young people. Ever since I was a kid, I always wanted to help people.” Dinesh Ayyappan, 24, Charlestown High School, Boston
"Because without a light, souls are lost. Stephanie Crawford, 27, Josiah Quincy Elementary, Boston
“I teach. I learn. I play. My first and second grade teacher…told me, “Don’t be a teacher unless your passion for it is so great that you just can’t do anything else.” Amanda Dodson, 27, Cabot Elementary, Newton
My own personal belief has always been that those that teach have a desire to serve. Teaching is no doubt a servant profession, serving not just children, but parents, the community and each other. I also don’t believe that the true joy of teaching can be realized without the desire to serve – and this desire is evident in each one of the above statements. So in these last stressful, tiresome weeks, when you’re feeling worn down, like nothing you are doing is making a difference and like you just can’t make it another day, think back to why you became a teacher and know…… Those that can, TEACH!