#RaesBlogChallenge  Post #1

Advice from an "old" teacher to a new one...

What advice can possibly prepare you for the journey you are about to embark on? How can anyone explain the contrasting feelings you will feel in that first minute, day, month, year that you stand in front of a room full of young people? I am certainly no expert, but here are a few things that I wish someone would have said to me:

1.  Forgive yourself. Being on all day is exhausting, especially when you have worked hard on your classroom and lesson plans, when you have responsibilities outside the four walls of your classroom. You are going to make mistakes, say the wrong thing, not return a call, hurt someone's feelings, be unprepared. Forgive yourself. 

2. Do something for yourself once a week. Take a class, get a massage, watch a movie, go for a hike. It is so easy to get totally absorbed in prepping, grading, meetings, and the million other things we have to do to make our classrooms run. Make yourself a priority. Your students will benefit from the time you make for yourself.

3. Ask for help. It is impossible to know everything and do everything. Ask a colleague to explain a policy, ask a parent to grade some papers, ask your mom to pick up your dry cleaning, ask a friend to listen. We get better when we ask for help.

4. Pay it back. When you have been teaching for a few years, remember how tough that first year was. Remember the people that helped you. Remember that something special that helped you survive and then share that with a new teacher. 

We "old" teachers are very glad that you decided to join us in this amazing career. Let us know what you need. We want to help.

Thank you +Rae Fearing for the December Blog Post Challenge!