Tips and ideas to help the new teacher learn the best way to cope with the first year of teaching
1. Plan as thoroughly as you can and if you don’t already have one, develop a system of organization. It’s amazing how much paperwork and marking goes into the first year. It’s easy for a new teacher to feel overwhelmed and confused. Try to avoid these initial feelings by planning your lessons ahead as much as you can. Rely on a system that is easy and user friendly.
2. Find a mentor, an experienced teacher that you can confide in. Arrange a time at school where you can sit away from the classroom for a bit and discuss strategies for strengthening your classroom management plan and improving your lesson plan.
3. Commit to a teaching post. The first year is a unique experience full of so many things to learn that one year is not enough to see the bigger picture.
4. Familiarize yourself well with the school policies and regulations. You should especially know where you stand in terms of how your school deals with discipline problems. Knowing this information will definitely help you when you are confronted with difficult and unanticipated classroom situations, which undoubtedly will happen.
5. Have a balanced life. Read The Joy in Finding a Balanced Life and Five Steps to a Balanced Life. The first year of teaching is highly demanding and very stressful. It is important to reach out to your family and friends. Exercise. Don’t hide behind the papers. Go out for a walk. Succumbing to the pressure without giving your mind and body rest will inevitably result in prolonged colds and sick leave. Don’t fall victim to this.
6. Remember and Grow. There will be good days and bad days. Remember what goes well. Enjoy them. Learn from your mistakes.
On my blog there are some more ideas and tips.
How are you dealing (or dealt) with the stress of first year teaching? Join our discussions and let us know.
