Tools for the New Teacher
Starting the Year out Right
Starting the school year on the right foot is critical if you are succeed in the classroom. Many new teachers discover they have to study even more after they leave the friendly confines of college classrooms. Plan, plan and plan some more. Have backup plans. And have backup plans for your backup plans.
Where should you start to prepare for that first day, first week and first year? We have put together a brief sampling of on-line resources to help. We think this is a good place to start your first great year. Good luck!
Important skills to acquire early in your first year:
=> Create a Positive Learning Environment
=> Create a Positive Rapport with Students
=> Assess Student Learning Styles
=> Create Viable Lesson Plans
=> Prevent Discipline Problems
=> Reward Success
Sources on the Web
Learn NC: the North Carolinba Teachers' Network
LEARN NC, a program of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Education, finds the most innovative and successful practices in K-12 education and makes them available to the teachers and students of North Carolina and the world. Included are articles about arranging your classroom and getting organized for those first important days with your students.
The New Teacher's Advantage
The Advantage Press has some experience with setting the right tone for a positive learning environment. Our "Discipline Learning Packets" have made many classrooms more condusive to successful teaching. We recognize that all teachers, regardless of their management skills, are challenged by student misbehavior: both in understanding it and responding to it. Classroom discipline problems can cause any teacher to re-think why he went into the profession. In fact, it is one of the main reasons why many educators leave their jobs. Acquiring good student management skills can help prevent the feeling of frustration and disillusionment and help you to become a more confident and effective teacher. We have provided our New Teacher's Advantage to help you make the most of your first year. Good luck!
This 29 page book in PDF format is available as a free download.
The Asociation of Texas Professional Educators
The Association of Texas Professional Educators has made available their New Teachers Handbook. Included are chapters on "How to Handle the First Class Day" and "Effective Instructional Management."
The Ontario-Montclair School District
Many school districts have developed their own guides for new teachers. The Ontario-Montclair Schools have a particularly good one available for you to examine. Included are such topics as the importance of Long Term and Short Term Lesson Planning, Instructional Strategies and Social Interaction Strategies.
The Wisconsin Education Association Council
The stated mission of this Council is to provide for the professional and personal growth of educators. To help achieve this end they have published their "Beginning Teacher Handbook." This handbook is designed as a guide to help you make your first year less frustrating and meet the challenges for a successful first year in your classroom. Included are "Tips" for the first day of school, "Sample letters to parents" and "Substitute survival."
The Teachers Network.org
The TeachersNetwork.org, a website "By Teachers, For Teachers" has developed a "New Teachers How To...." page. Advice includes sections on How To "Manage Your Classroom," "Adjust Your Teaching Styles," "Work With Students' Families," and more. This organization also has a "New Teachers Helpline" and a "Talk With Teachers" bulletin board where you can ask for help.
The Lutheran Church
There are also many resources available for teachers heading to a non-public school setting. The Lutheran Church, for one, has a "Handbook" for New Lutheran School Teachers. Included are sections on "Questions for your Principal" and "Quesitons for a Fellow Teacher." The chapters on "Preparing Your Classroom" and "Suggestions for the School Year" are well worth looking at.
Copyright © 2010 Advantage Press.