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!)