Teacher Talk Tuesday - My Advice for Newbies!

It's a new year and we have 3 *BRAND NEW* teachers at our school. The past few years have been horrible with budget cuts.  I was beginning to think I'd never see a new teacher again. I was thrilled to see three squeaky clean new teachers on our first day back to work. These girls are sooooo cute! Totally clueless!! Ha! {Just kidding} They are totally "with it" and I only wish I could have had them as interns.

The past week and a half has probably been really overwhelming for these three, and I've been trying to think of things to say that will be helpful because I'm sure their heads are full to the brim.

1. Make sure to have a system in place where you have weekly (or daily) communication with your parents. Your school might have one set up or you might have to make one up on your own. I've used B.E.E. Books for the past seven years and they are fabulous. Not only do my parents love them, but they have gotten me out of hot water a few times. {"I put that note in the B.E.E. Book." or "I check the book every day and nothing was brought back to me." sort of things}  C.Y.A.

2. Change out of your school shirt before you go out on Friday nights. Seriously, we had a group of teachers drinking in the bar at Chili's with their school shirts on in front of everybody! Hello!?!

3. Keep your student information private, especially when you are out in public. You never know who might be related to whom. Another incident when a teacher said she had the class from h*#$ at a party and a mom from that class was there and heard it. Needless to say, it was not a good outcome!

4. Act like these kids are your own. This is their only year to be in that grade (hopefully.) Make it special. Think about how you would want your child's teacher to teach and behave towards them.

5. If all else fails, your excuse (for ANY reason at all) is a "Safety Issue." *We have to push in our chairs all the time? Yup, that's a safety issue. *We have to go to recess now? We went at such and such time last year. Oh, yeah. It's for your safety.

**If you are a newbie or not read all of these links for today (I know I will and I've been teaching for a while!) Teachers have the best advice!**