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40 Tips For New Teachers From Experienced Teachers

Experienced teachers will already have the knowledge and experience in terms of which teaching methods work and those that don’t. New teachers, however, will be bombarded with plenty of new information as they begin their journey in education.

You will need quite a long time and much effort to process and learn all the cultural norms and new procedures of the school you belong to. Not to mention, you will need to prepare for the most important matter of all, which is your classroom instruction.

As you go through the process of securing a teaching job, it can help to prepare yourself for your first year of teaching by reading these tips from veteran educators.

40 Tips For New Teachers From Experienced Teachers

  1. It is vital for you to build relationships with your school community. Reach out to them and let them know that you’re eager to know more about them. Encourage them to get to know you as well.
  2. Try to be great at everything, but don’t do this all at once. Master the procedures step by step.
  3. Be strict, but fair. On day one, consider setting disciplinary standards. Make sure to stick to them because if you don’t, your students won’t follow them, either.
  4. Focus on your job: You must concentrate on planning and teaching, and avoid taking on any extra work or projects.
  5. Be humorous. Most students today respond well to teachers with a good sense of humor. Always portray a positive attitude.
  6. Let your students do the heavy lifting. Students will learn best if they are in control of their learning. And learning will require doing, not just observing or listening.
  7. You don’t need to be new and innovative every day. There will be days when you will simply need to reinforce concepts.
  8. During meetings, sit next to an art teacher. She has the best doodles.
  9. Never allow your students to engage you in a public battle. You have to settle problems privately and calmly. Also, let them admit that they were wrong without losing face.
  10. Never be discouraged. There will be days when you feel like you’ve failed. And when this day comes, shake it off and get back to your work.
  11. Make meaningful connections with each student. Learn more about them. Whenever possible, use their interests when giving instructions.
  12. Create routines for your students. For instance, greet every student each day at the door before they enter your classroom.
  13. Some parents may use a negative approach when communicating, so be prepared to respond in the proper manner.
  14. Sometimes, you have to let go of things. As a teacher, you must learn how to pick your battles.
  15. Expect to experience hectic days with little time for sleep or rest during the first year. Moreover, getting sick is always a possibility, so make sure to boost your immune system.
  16. Never quit! No profession is easy, especially when you are new to it.
  17. Work smart instead of hard. You need to have a learning attitude and always collaborate.
  18. Stay organized! Decorate and organize the classroom. Also, keep duplicates of all paperwork and diaries the deadlines for all activities and submissions.
  19. Beware of school factions – all schools actually have them. Boost your confidence, and you’ll be okay.
  20. Make learning fun and interactive – for both you and the kids.
  21. You are their teacher, not their friend. Wanting to be like should not be your priority. They should love you because they respect you.
  22. Do your best with the kids. As for the grown-ups, play nice. You should be diplomatic.
  23. Expect that you will be spending the first part of the school year on classroom procedures and expectations.
  24. Remember that with every idea you come up with, 90% of it will most likely be thrown away.
  25. Always assume that parents want their kids to be successful, not just intellectually but emotionally as well. Give data without emotion at all times and everything will surely work out.
  26. Be accommodating! During parent-teacher conferences, always tell the parents that they can come to you if they have any concern.
  27. Your schools days won’t always be good – some will be bad and impossible, so it’s best to accept the fact.
  28. Don’t worry if everything you have planned for your students was not accomplished during the day. There is always tomorrow!
  29. Lesson plans must be done at school. Avoid having to spend your weekends doing them. Saturdays and Sundays are your rest and relaxation days to make sure that you won’t crash and burn.
  30. Make friends with the secretary and the custodian. They are the school’s real leaders. They can either make you or break you.
  31. Classroom management is far more important than classroom content. By managing the classroom well, your students will learn.
  32. Be a 21st Century Educator. You must teach in imaginative ways. Also, adapt to vibrant teaching experience. If technologies fail in the middle of a class, the show must go on.
  33. Be willing to grow. Don’t get offended when your administrator or mentor asks you to make some improvements. You should never let your ego get in your way of growing or moving in a better direction. Accept the comments or suggestions. Be thankful if someone offers you some ideas for growth.
  34. Attend professional development conferences. Today, there are free online opportunities you can take part in to improve your knowledge and skills.
  35. Put your experience into writing. Journals will allow for professional reflections.
  36. Comfort is more important than style. So always wear comfortable (but professional) attire, from head to toe.
  37. Go home after work hours. Most new teachers stay so late at school because they feel like they haven’t done enough to finish their work. If you do so, you may forget about your family, friends, and significant other because you are too consumed by your work. Bear in mind that an entire day is not enough to get all your tasks done. Create a to-do list and prioritize the tasks in it.
  38. Sleep peacefully. When you’re at home on your day off, don’t think about your students or your work at school. Focus on having a good night’s sleep so you’ll have the energy to teach the next day.
  39. Find a colleague. This is someone who can help you solve problems, someone whom you can be friends with, and seek advice from. You don’t have to go through the challenges of being a new teacher alone.
  40. Don’t take the challenges personally. Instead, see them as challenges shared by the system, the school, and society. Help the school and the community understand their specific roles in the successful education of young people. So if you notice any misguided policy and behavior, speak out. You may be a new teacher, but you can make a difference.
  41. Emphasize anti-bullying. Despite spending lots of time playing video games instead of interacting with other people, students today must practice mutual respect with their peers and educators. Demonstrate and explain the negative effects of treating others deceitfully.
  42. Be careful with sensitive topics. Children face different challenges and come from all walks of life. Be conscious and sensitive to anything that may alienate them. This tip will help you make a lifelong impact on your student’s lives.

The first year of teaching is both exciting and challenging. It will get better only if you work from your heart. If your words and actions emerge from your heart, you won’t make as many mistakes — but if you do, you can always learn from them. Experienced educators will tell you that you never know what you are in for on any day. These tips can create efficiencies, help prevent mishaps, and make you a smart teacher.

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Mark Anthony Llego

Mark Anthony Llego, from the Philippines, has significantly influenced the teaching profession by enabling thousands of teachers nationwide to access essential information and exchange ideas. His contributions have enhanced their instructional and supervisory abilities. Moreover, his articles on teaching have reached international audiences and have been featured on highly regarded educational websites in the United States.

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