Tag: teacheradvice

Monthly advice–September

We are in full-swing to a new school year. Some of you started in August, some of you started in September. Some of you are ready for a break already! 😂

As we start a new school year, here a few suggestions for the month:

  • Take a few pictures, take a few pieces of work–put them aside. At the end of the year, take them out and really appreciate how much you and your students have accomplished.
  • Focus on behavior management. At every turn, model and remind students of the rules. This is the time. There is nothing more important than setting down the foundation for a happy and productive school year than strong classroom management.
  • Tell a family member a specific thing you like about their child. Start the year off right with a positive note and interaction. Make sure to take note so that every child is given a compliment.
    • For upper grades and secondary, this is still possible, it will just take longer.
  • Make sure to have a few items copied, a few plans made, and/or a whole activity ready as an emergency. Technology can be fickle. Plans will change. Sick days happen. Be prepared with something ready-made now.

It’s a new year and it’s good to keep a record, take a few notes, and set aside something for the future. The best investments and preparation happen early, happen now.

 

 

Teacher Tip #1

This is for all the newbies:

You will never be caught up.

Never. Not even at the end of the year.

Sometimes the grading will not get done–just don’t put it in the gradebook. Problem solved.

Sometimes the chairs will not be stacked for the weekend–let it go this weekend.

Sometimes you will have five meetings, five mornings in a row. Embrace it for what it is, and rejoice when you have a week with no meetings.

Sometimes a “perfect” lesson will be a complete disaster. Plans will be shifted. Plans will need to change. It happens.

Sometimes you will lose papers. Schools have copy machines–you can get another copy.

I say this in all seriousness, you will never be fully caught up.

Even at the end of the year you will have leftover papers, lessons, and a classroom with a couple of boxes–a couple of boxes that you just threw random items into just so you can check-out for the summer. It’s okay.

You can only do your best; you will learn to recognize what has to be done, and what can wait.

Any time you feel bad about not being caught up, or being “on top of it”, brush that feeling aside. You will never be fully caught up, just do what you can and move on. It’s gonna be okay.