I start teaching tomorrow for the first time ever...

[battleknight24]

... anyone out there got any last minute tips? And I mean anything!


Peace,

[AztecGringo]

1. Almost 20 years experience

I have been teaching in South Central L.A. for almost 20 years. Advice? Filter out as much as you can the bullshit from administration. Be patient with yourself and just do the best you can. If you satisfy yourself, then you are doing okay. Don't expect a lot of positive reinforcement other than the pats on the back you can give yourself and the appreciation you receive from students. Don't try to save the world, and remember to take care of yourself, especially when the initial euphoria and excitement wears off...

[MoseyWalker]

2. good advice you just gave

I did some sub teaching, and didn't have to deal with the admin aspect of it so much, but I've known others who have, and found it to be the most difficult part of the whole thing.

Take a deep breath and prepare to have some fun with your students?

What ages will they be? I wish you the best!

[battleknight24]

3. I will be teaching at a secondary school (7th - 12th Grade)...

I will be teaching two 7th grade Texas history classes, one 8th grade U.S. History class, two (mostly Sophomores) World History classes, a P.E. class (with a coach helping me), and a 7th grade Theatre Arts Class.


I know, its a lot for a new teacher, but we are a really tiny school.


Peace,


On edit: When I say tiny, what meant was, with all six grade levels together (7th-12th) we have about 200 students total, give or take a few.

[MoseyWalker]

4. You're going to be challenged, for sure

that's a really full schedule!

Some think middle school is the toughest, but I always enjoyed it more than the high schoolers. The 7th and 8th graders are testing their wings, while the high schoolers seemed to be always wanting to cut off somebodies wings!

You will have a good time, and being in a smaller district is a great way to start. I admire the earlier poster who has spent 20 years in a huge metropolis.

You'll do great!

[jpgray]

5. Don't trust children, they'll only hurt you.

:D

[femmocrat]

6. Congratulations and welcome to the profession!

You have a very full schedule.... can they do that to you? I mean, don't you have to be certified in P.E. and Language Arts for the theater class? They usually load new teachers up like that becuase they figure you are grateful to have a job and won't complain. (So act grateful and don't complain, and maybe they will lighten your load next year!) And join the union!!!

I have been teaching since the 70s... with a break for child-rearing. I think your biggest challenge will the the sophomores, since they are really tough to motivate. The younger kids should be fine for you. Just keep it fun and break up the lessons with projects, activities, games, etc. They like to be kept entertained.

Keep the discipline tight at first. Establish your classroom management plan on Day 1. You can always loosen it up later when you get the kids to know you better. I found something that works with middle school.... call the parents the very first time the kid acts up. (A lot will depend on your school's discipline plan, as to consequences and rewards, of course.) Good luck! Have a great year, and let us know how it's going for you, OK?

[battleknight24]

7. I love Drama/Theatre- and I have some credit hours in it...

... plus acting experience. The teacher who taught it last year knew NOTHING about Theatre. What happened last year near the beginning of school is that an Agriculture teacher quit (or was fired or got sick, or something... ) and those kids (7th Graders) did not want to be in Band, and they did not want to take Woodshop, so the school developed a Theatre Arts class just for them- it is the only Theatre course in the entire school.
I plan to go back to school in few years and get Masters Degree in Theatre, even though that was not my major or minor; many schools will accept you into their programs as long as you take a certain number of undergraduate Theatre courses before you start your grad classes.
Every teacher in the school has a heavy schedule; we are a small school in a low income rural community, so we don't have lots of money to hire lots and lots of teachers.


Peace,

[femmocrat]

8. The theater class will probably be the highlight of your day! :-)

I worked on our school play for the past few years (on set design) and was amazed at how talented the kids are. They really put their hearts and souls into putting on a good play. With your experience in theater, they will probably love your class!