Things I would Tell New Teachers

     I love teaching. I face each day with excitement. When my feet hit the floor in the morning, I never know what challenges and excitement will come my way. When the door opens and students stream in I gladly greet them. Teaching is one of the few jobs where each day starts fresh, full of new possibilities. Many people trudge through life pursuing a career for which they are ill-suited. They drag out of bed each day, every dreary day, and head off to work, toiling in a career that brings no joy. Their labor leaves them unfulfilled, save for the paycheck; while I work at a task which demands my utmost in creativity and dispenses rewards gross and subtle. I am truly blessed to have pursued two professions I fully enjoy; being a soldier and officer in the Army and now teaching.

     I came to teaching later than most. After serving for twenty-seven years in the U.S. Army, I retired and returned to school, obtaining a Masters in Secondary Education. Eventually I secured a position at a small parochial school in Lubbock, Texas; where I teach Social Studies and English. Our school administrators seek to provide a quality educational experience at a cost most middle-class families can afford.  I enjoy the small class sizes and the creative flexibility small numbers provides. I also enjoy the light load of extracurricular duties that come my way. Periodically I am called on to interview new teachers as part of my duties. I often think about what I would tell a group of new teachers. It was not so very long ago that I stood before my first class. What advice would I give my slightly younger self?

1.       Teach your passion. All too often we make career progression decisions based on what we think will provide success. I’ve spoken to prospective teachers who chose their field based on employability or other factors. You will spend eight hours a day working with your subject. Make sure that you love it. If you do not, you’re consigning yourself to spending large portions of your adult life working with something that does not provide joy. You and your students will suffer. You may find short-term success in the job market, but will face great challenges down the road. In this area, follow your heart. If you love your subject, chances are that joy and excitement will rub off on your students.

2.       Remember, you are the adult in charge. When the door swings shut everyone, even the students, expect you to run the show. As an adult, you have the upper hand. Students may try to convince you otherwise, but in their hearts they want you to exert your authority. Do so properly. Parents may question you, but in the end they want their children to learn. The principle may wonder about you and their decision to hire you. But they want you to exert appropriate control. Never forget that as an adult you know more and have the skills necessary. Explore different ways to use the authority you’ve been granted. My students may not be sitting at the ready, with pencils poised over notebooks ready to record my every word, but they understand that I expect a certain level of behavior. They often challenge my authority; some days it seems like every minute. But, at the end of the day we all know who the adult is and who is expected to keep good order and discipline.

3.       Do not be afraid to inforce discipline. I periodically catch myself hesitating to enforce the standard, fearing students will no longer “like” me as a teacher. Students will lose their respect for me when I fail to fairly and impartially inforce the rules and standards. Students will normally perform to the standard you inforce. When I inforce discipline from a consequences standpoint, eschewing anger, most students respond positively.

4.       Be careful when employing relational teaching. Everyone likes to talk about relational teaching. Properly executed, relational teaching, teaching from the standpoint of knowing your students, works well. However, do not confuse relational teaching with being your students friends. I personally prefer the term mentoring. My students do not need a fifty-five year old friend. They need an adult who understands them and is committed to helping them develop the skills they need to succeed in the school environment and life to come.

5.       Plan well. Do not stint on your lesson plans. Take the time to carefully think out and write down what you will do during your class time. A well-constructed outline of your planned lesson will help you navigate the sometime chaotic waters of classroom instruction. As in writing, an outlined lesson plan provides structure for your class; and students thrive on structure. I frequently deviate from my plan; however, I normally start each class with a detailed plan.

6.       Exploit whatever level of technology support is available. While technological song and dance does not guarantee a great classroom experience, it helps. Look for ways you can use computers to support your instruction. Well-chosen automation supports the learning process. It does not have to be complicated or expensive. I use several apps that do not charge for their service. Be sure to check de-bug apps as much as possible. While nothing works perfectly, some apps are more trouble than they are worth. Students enjoy the periodic and appropriate use of technology.

7.       Do not be afraid of failure. Do not let fear lead you away from trying new things. Some days things just do not work properly. Your plan may be a poor one. Automation may fail due to network issues or unforeseen bugs. Students understand this. More than once I’ve had to say, “Well, that did not work as I planned. We’re not doing that again.” Students appreciate the honesty. Have a back-up plan in your hip pocket so you do not waste time. Whatever you do, always be willing to try a different approach.

8.       Be willing to admit you were wrong. None of us are perfect. Students, parents, and administration know this. They are not perfect. When you make a mistake, apologize seek forgiveness and move on to the next issue. No one likes a no-it-all; and students appreciate a teacher who willingly admits a mistake and corrects the problem. Often angry parents turn into avid supporters when you say, “Oh, you’re right. I was wrong. I’m sorry and will try to do better the next time.”

9.       Be flexible. Some days things just do not work properly. Your best plans may fall apart at the last minute. The printer will jam eating a most critical handout. A student may have a melt-down in the middle of class. A bookshelf may decide that now is the moment to fall apart all over your classroom, taking your laptop with it. The list goes on. These things will happen. You cannot change this fact. All you can control is how you respond. If you take things in stride, making adjustments to your plan without a display of anger and frustration, students will adjust with you and you will enjoy more peace.

10.   Have fun. You will spend eight or more, usually more, hours a day at this job so extract as much joy out of the process as is possible. Every job has challenges and portions we do not like, but make the most of the rest. If you think a lesson is dull and boring, it probably is. Do your best to find interesting ways to transfer information. If you found the planning and preparation process exciting it will show up in your classroom execution.

     Teaching is a great and noble profession. It is one of the few that enables one to continually explore an area they find fascinating. Every day I teach, I get to spend hours talking about a subject that I love. I get to try to convince over seventy teenagers that my subject is the best one. I get to hang out with a group of young men and women who think I know what I’m doing…whether it’s true or not. I get to laugh and occasionally cry. If I find something unusual, beautiful, or fascinating I get to share it. When I close the door, I’m in charge…sort of. It is fun and entertaining. And twice a month they throw money at me for doing what I love. Welcome to the club.