Being a new teacher can be exhilerating and scary. We have all been there! Here are a few things that I think every new teacher should remember:
1) Make a master list of contact info for your roster. Allows you to easily pull up and contact parents in an emergency or even to fill out the nurse's pass.
2) Create a master list of IEP accomodations. You will be required to document the use of these daily in your class as well as in the grading system.
3) Most schools use a parent communication network like classdojo or Parentsquare. I go down my roster and every week I send a positive message to the parents for 5 students. When I have gotten through my whole list I start over again. This helps me create a positive relationship with families so if I do need to contact them for a negative situation they will be more likely to believe me. Negative reports all the time and parents tend to ignore them-the teacher just hates my kid.
4)Positive sticky notes and notes to students.I do this before testing, at Thanksgiving ( I am thankful you are in this class) and just because. It helps promote a healthy positive environment.
5) Use the restroom at any opportunity you have. :) You are coming back from a meeting, at lunch. It may be your last chance for hours.
6) Be kind to the helpers. Whether it's a teacher assistant, custodian, cafeteria staff or secretary-they are the undersung heroes of your school. Appreciate them. You never know when you will lock yourself out of your classroom or you will need grace because your class was late to lunch.
7) Know that you will never please everyone. No matter how hard you work, the effort you put in there will always be kids/parents/colleagues who disagree with hor you are doing things. Try your best to accomodate everyone but at the end of the day you are accountable for student progress.
I wish you the best of luck!There are always challenges but it is very rewarding to see how much the students will grow.
Reach out if you ever need any assistance.
