Top 10 For New Teachers

 

Top 10 - For Those Just Beginning in This Most Beautiful Vocation

The first day I walked into "my classroom" there was a rush of excitement and utter fear. I, at 23, was standing in a room with desks, a whiteboard, and a computer. Eleven years later, my classroom is my happy place. A room that will see all the feels and unlimited "moments". 

I think all new starts are scary. I am sure all jobs are scary. But between the lack of preparation, and the intimidation of 60 eyes inherently judging you.... There really is nothing like that first year of teaching. 

Perhaps resident surgeons, but still then you have someone ready to jump in if you... you know... mess up. 

So, even though it is scary, you are so much more important than most people understand. Our profession needs you. It also needs you to care, to reflect, to be willing to make mistakes, and ultimately to act with love first. The "it" I am talking about. Well, it is referring to a profession on the ropes, students whose lives you may change, and ultimately a voice in the future of education. 

Here is something important for you to know:

"Dear new teacher, we all want you to succeed. So please, please, do not think you are alone. Ask for help, and know that EVERY teacher worth a damn knows what it is like to make mistakes."

In the spirit of Top 10, here is my list of Top 10 things for a new teacher to value above all else.

10. Humility - On my best day of teaching I feel like everything in the world is getting better. On my worst day, tears flow and I question my ability to teach. There is no educator, who I trust, that does not see their own imperfections, their struggles, and their humanity. You will make mistakes, perhaps daily, and it is okay. As long as you are not trying to pretend like you have all the answers, "to the problem in education" you are going to be okay. Because, you will get better everyday.

9. Non-negotiables - Oh how I wish someone had told me this. What are the things you absolutely cannot live with, or absolutely must see. For me, a wise young mentor teacher told me something that changed me tremendously. He said, "sweat the small stuff, for then, there will be no big stuff". Sit with that. I require students iPads to be away unless I ask them to get it out. They need to be flat on the desk, unless I say otherwise etc.. why? So I do not have to try and get attention, I already have it.... It is so very much easier to relax throughout the year, than to try and regain expectations or create new expectations. Whatever you need to keep your patience, make sure students uphold those policies.  

8. Transparency - This is easy. Be honest. Be real. Be transparent. Kids will give a remarkable amount of grace, as long as you show you are honest, fair, and transparent. 

7. Don't take it personally - HORMONES. It is not about you. I used to think every eye-roll, head-down, tear, outburst, missing assignment, was about me. Honestly, it does not have a damn thing to do with you. Not saying to accept those behaviors per-say, but do not think it is an action directed AT you. Again, HORMONES.

6. Relationships - You want peace in your class. Care about each kid as an individual. Some will need next to nothing from you. Others, you may be the reason they make it to school that day. Regardless, show them you care. This is not weakness. This is not soft. This is not "the millennial generation". This is humanity. We are a social, unique species; we need relationships. We need safety. We need to feel calm, and safe, and loved in the environment we are in -- in order to succeed anyway.

5. Accountability vs Grace - Oooooffff - where to start. This will be a battle your entire career in education. You will always feel like you have not found the "sweet spot". That is, if you care about the balance. If you are okay just dishing out F's and do not think twice.... well.... you likely are not reading my blog. So, give yourself grace, and just try and do your best. It is so hard because it is a moving goal post. The balance is different with every kid and in every situation. 

4. Authenticity - BE YOU. "Don't smile til November." One piece of advice I got at the beginning of my career. This, is not me. I trip over my own feet, I am awkward, I laugh at ridiculous things, and I say dad jokes accidentally. Kids do not need a certain thing in order to love and respect you. They need to trust that who you are in the classroom is who you really are. You do not need to be fake strict, or fake nice. Just be you. Kids see through the B&*#$h@# real quick!

3. Philosophy - Why are you in education?  --- I cannot answer this one for you. I do not even know if I fully have my own philosophy figured out. However, I am ALWAYS thinking about it. How to be better. How to be more equitable. How to be a model of an adult in the 2020's.

2. Be open to .... Growth, Feedback, Grace, Love, Change, Flexibility, Being Wrong, Being More than a Teacher, All the Feels, Not Taking Everything Seriously.... and so much more

1. Love - Do everything with love at the center of it. May sound soft, feelingsszzy, and fluffy. But truly, you will find a lot more peace and happiness if you start all things, and do all things, for and with love at the core. You are modeling how to act, respond, show love, show integrity, and do good in the world. Nobody said it was easy. 

But please take it seriously, you never know who is watching!

Good luck this school year. You are in a community of wonderful people. Lean on us! Ask Questions! Give yourself grace! 

AND PLEASE, DO NOT WORK ALL WEEKEND. You need to take care of you also!

Peace! Be kind!

Sending you all the love - Lum