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6. Take advantage of all first year teacher inservices.
Staff development is a crucial component of “No Child Left Behind”. Most districts have developed appropriate staff development workshops to meet
intent of law and to provide details that are missing from teacher manuals. Veteran teachers who present sample lessons or time saving tips can be a life saver for first year teachers.
7. Begin parent contacts from first day of school.
Send some kind of a communication to parents first day. Describe your plans and goals for school year and solicit their help and expertise. Parents can be presenters, volunteers, and field trip chaperones. They love getting involved. Start first week by phoning each parent (do 5 a day) and introducing yourself.
8. Send a regular newsletter home
Whether it be a weekly report or a monthly newsletter, establish a vehicle for regular communication with parents. Parents are busy folks, too. They may also need frequent reminders about upcoming events. Have students write a letter to their parents as an end of day activity for example. There is no such thing as too much communication.
9. Get involved in at least one curriculum committee.
As a first year teacher, you may say to yourself that you haven’t got time to do one more thing. However, it is strongly advised that you begin to get involved in a curriculum committee at district level. Join a group. They are always looking for members. They usually meet only once a month after school. You should find an area that interests you most and sign up. Even if you can’t make a meeting every month, this will help you begin to see input and influence that teachers can have on curriculum decisions.
10 Realize that first year is toughest.
As a first year teacher, there will be days and sleepless nights when you will wonder if you took correct path. If you love teaching kids, hang in there. Each year will get easier because you will gain new insights and experience as each year passes. Being a teacher is a tough job. Don’t try to go it alone. A support system made up of family and colleagues will get you through tough times so that you can reflect back on rewarding times and know that you can and do make a difference.
About the Author Barbara Snyder is a retired California Distinguished School Principal and Coordinator For Human Resources. She has a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction. She holds elementary education, secondary, community college, and administrative credentials. She is currently the publisher of http://EducationResourcesNetwork.com, co-publisher of Strictly Business Magazine, http://www.sbmag.org.
