THE ABCs FOR FIRST YEAR TEACHERS
·
Admit your mistakes -- and learn from
them.
·
Be firm but flexible.
·
Communicate with parents.
·
Develop a homework policy -- and stick
to it.
·
Empower your students; don't just lecture
to them.
·
Find time to attend after-school events.
·
Get to know all the teachers in your
school and make friends with the cooks, custodians, aides, and secretaries.
·
Have the courage to try something else
if what you're doing isn't working.
·
Institute a clear discipline policy --
and enforce it consistently.
·
Just listen -- both to what the kids
are saying and to what they're not saying.
·
Keep a journal.
·
Learn your school's policies and procedures.
·
Model desired attitudes and behavior.
·
Non carborundum ignorami. (Don't let
the imbeciles wear you down.)
·
Overplan.
·
Prepare interesting lessons.
·
Quit worrying and just do your best.
·
Remember that you teach students first,
then you teach whatever academic discipline you learned.
·
Stay alert.
·
Take pictures.
·
Understand that the learning process
involves everyone -- teachers, students, colleagues, and parents -- and get everyone involved.
·
Volunteer to share projects and ideas,
and don't be afraid to ask others to share their ideas with you.
·
Work within your limits.
·
Xpect the unexpected -- and plan for
it!
·
Yell if you need support.
·
Zero in on your strengths, not your weaknesses.
(Remember -- nobody's perfect!)