Tips for New Teachers

Now in my 14th week of student teaching, I would suggest that new teachers do the following:

• Find a mentor at your school who can help you with questions as they pop up. Most of the teachers you will work with will be helpful in many ways, but you should have at least one who you feel comfortable going to the most.
• Keep detailed notes after each lesson about what worked and what needs to be tweaked. Keep the supplies (or a list of the supplies) in a file along with your notes for the next time that lesson comes up.
• Practice classroom procedures every day until they become routine. Be very consistent in your enforcing of these procedures.
• Develop a non-negotiable Quiet Signal that you can use to quiet down and focus your students. Use lots and lots of praise when they get the hang of it. And most of all...
• Remember why you chose teaching in the first place. It is an honor to make a difference in children's lives. Enjoy your students and be the best teacher you can be.