I know, I know... you're probably thinking, "
Another link up? When is she going to post anything genuine!?" Well just wait a minute before you scroll past because this is a good one! I'm linking up with
Teaching with Crayons and Curls to bring you some rockstar tips for your first year of teaching!
My best piece of advice to give is relax and refresh on the weekends. Save your sanity and get some sleep to refresh your mind and body. Not only will you better be able to concentrate when the time comes to do some work at home, but your stress levels won't be crazy during the week. So enjoy your weekends!
The first thing you should not do is take work home with you. I don't mean to not take papers that need graded home, I mean let school stay at school. This goes along with my #1 piece of advice. I know it's hard to turn it off because, as teachers, we are so compassionate about what we do and we truly, deeply love our students. We want what is best for them even after school hours, and there is nothing wrong with that. But you've still got to be you, because you're a person after all.
The second thing you should not do is fall into the trap of gossiping in the teacher's lounge. It's hard, it's where teachers eat lunch and it where we get to vent. I get it. But it can be super toxic. Just make sure it isn't turning you into a Negative Nancy.
For every "do not" there's a DO! plus one! First, you should make friends and collaborate. Don't stay out of the teacher's lounge all together. Don't not say hi to your fellow teachers in the hallway. Smile, be nice, and make some friends!
Just as much as you need to make friends with other teachers, make friends with the school secretary, custodians, and lunch crew... they truly are AMAZING people! And you'll thank yourself for it.
My last piece of advice is to have fun and enjoy what you do. Teaching is one of the best professions in the world, and certainly is one of the most rewarding. And don't ever forget that YOU were chosen to run your class and you CAN do it. It those moments of despair, stay positive and keep on keeping on! You'll get through every and any obstacle that you face and it will all make you a better teacher and person. Love your life and love your job!
What teaching tips do you have for new teachers?
All great words of wisdom! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteRachael
I soooo agree with you about the gossip. In fact, I shared the same advice in my post. It can be really hard to do but gossiping doesn't win you any friends and I have found that steering away from it actually leads to more friendships. Great advice!
ReplyDeleteHave a great day,
~Julie
I totally agree with you about taking your weekends to relax. I was pretty much completely burnt out by the end of my first year because I went into my classroom pretty much every weekend. INSANITY! But I learned that lesson fast...no more excessive overtime!
ReplyDeleteSomeone once told me that at the end of the day, it's still just a job/career, and your family and personal mental health should always be priority...That's definitely a hard lesson for teachers to learn since we put our heart and souls into our classrooms!
Great advice :)
Sam
Fun With Firsties
Stephanie,
ReplyDeleteI LOVE your advice! It's so important to make friends with the teachers and staff at your school! It's the worst feeling to feel all alone! And, you are so right to leave work at home! It's so important to enjoy your weekends and take time for yourself, or I don't think you'd be able to stay in this profession for very long! Teacher burn out is a real thing!!!
Thank you so much for linking up! Chandra @ Teaching with Crayons and Curls
Love all of your tips and advice! Collaborating has been a HUGE help with my experience! It is so nice to work with other teachers and have their support. Also avoiding gossip is the best thing you can do to keep yourself happy :)
ReplyDelete