After being out of the classroom for almost three years, I’ve had time to reflect on the lessons it took me nine years to figure out. These are the things I wish someone would have told me when I was a new high school teacher. I’m not sure I would have listened but just in case I can help someone else; I thought I should share these tidbits.
1. There will always be a few students that drive you absolutely nuts. Teachers are human, too. Out of 90 kids you see daily, there will be at least one that rubs you the wrong way. Sometimes personalities clash. You may not be able to see through their stubbornness and random acts of teen angst while teaching the Bill of Rights but they will be the same kids that come back and visit you time and time again until they graduate. They will be the same ones that you will keep in touch with throughout their adult lives. There are the only two words of advice that I can give you. Tough love.
2. Your heart will break for some of the kids you see every day. Know there is nothing you can do about their home lives. Just kill them with kindness and love them while they are in your room. Give them a place where they know what is expected of them and how they can succeed. Call them on their B.S., poke them if they are sleeping in class, and most of all, hold them accountable.
3. Sometimes, you will wonder what the heck you are doing. That’s totally okay. As a 9th grade World History teacher, I knew that ancient civilizations didn’t matter- still doesn’t (sorry fellow history nerds)….but team work, personal growth, and self-reflection does matter. Those skills will transfer beyond the four walls of your classroom (and the standardized tests). Don’t be locked in to Hammurabi’s code. Don’t know what that is? Google it.
4. High school students are honest. Brutally honest. Grow some thick skin. Sometimes their actions have nothing to do with you at all but what happened in the hallway before class. Keep it all in perspective. Grow some thick skin.
5. If you don’t engage them, you will lose them. No, I’m not talking about providing them nonstop entertainment but I am saying is respect your audience. Is it relevant to their lives? If the answer is, “No, I’m teaching this because its a standard,” I would argue that your lesson plan could use some revisions.
Most of these tips can’t be find in educational theory textbooks but they will come in handy when trying to keep your sanity in those first few “fly by the seat of your pants” years. Best of luck navigating the toughest, but most rewarding job in the world! Let me know if I can help in any way!
Fellow educators, what did you learn in the first few years of teaching that you wish someone would have told you? Can’t wait to hear your lessons learned!
I wish someone would have told me that the second year was the hardest year. My first year, everyone knew it was my first year. My administrators, my students, my colleagues, and even myself — all had a little grace for my mistakes. By year two, I was expected to have it all down. Even I expected to have all down. When I did’t, I almost left teaching, but another teacher reminded me I was still new at this. That it would take a few years to really work out the kinks in my teaching methods and figure out what worked for me as a teacher. She also reminded me that not every style or method worked for every teacher (just like every style or method doesn’t work ON every student). I shouldn’t beat myself up because I’m not just like Mrs. So-and-so. I’m not Mrs. So-and-so, I’m Ms. Lane and I need to figure out how Ms. Lane best communicates and teaches her students.
Once I learned to keep evolving and use my mistakes as learning experiences rather than seeing them as failures, my teaching life changed drastically. And when I goofed up, I apologized to my students. At first, I thought that they would see it as weakness (and some did). Most of them, however, used it as an example. When they messed up, they were never afraid to come tell me and apologize for it.
If someone had told me these things, I might have steeled myself up for them instead of considering quitting.
Very, very wise words! Truly wonderful teachers never stopped learning….and always seek improvement! It’s true, each teacher must use what works for them, in their own classrooms.
Oooo, Catherine, I LOVE the tweak! If memory serves correctly–you didn’t originally have the invitation to the reader–“what did your first years teach you, that you wish someone had told you”? Love it.
I shared some of my reactions to this post with you privately, but, in case others might be interested–I’ll make some of that public.
Reading this piece–what comes up for me–
I have so much admiration for teachers within the system who can teach from the heart (and implement the best learner-centered practices) without burning out. I’m in awe of them. It’s so difficult, given the constraints–especially the time constraints. But the emotional ones seem quite hard, too.
I think there are guideposts here to prevent exactly the kind of burnout I fear would hit me 6 months after walking in the door. That post seems really supportive of teachers with heart. Letting go of what you can’t change is so hard… It’s hard for me, and I have a more intimate relationship with my students than would be possible/ appropriate for most teachers. (I have a small collection of students–they come to my house–often I get to know the families really well, over years and years. Some of them start out as family friends–others become that. But seeing a kid in trouble and having to stay “on lesson” would be so rough for me. Since I teach one-on-one–and no one is going to ruin their future for falling behind at their piano ability–if someone is having a rough day, we can talk about that. I can get them an apple and a drink of water. To be “all in” like it sounds you are–and have your hands tied in some respects–my hat’s off!) I suppose you’re saying–You do what you can, & let the rest go. It sounds to me like a crucial piece of wisdom–maybe entire world of wisdom–to embrace, though. An inner journey as much as an outer one, if I understand correctly.
In my own personal experience–(this gets to the question–what I wish I would have known)–as a student, I was an overachiever and my teachers often put pressuring me to excel above my long term well-being. Before I even became a teacher, I was committed to doing my damndest not to replicate those mistakes.
My early years, I was insulated, (I teach piano privately) and so I was free of the endless external pressures that traditional school teachers face. (For me, there’s worlds of time–what public school teachers get to say that? If I could–it would be all of them!) But I put a lot of pressure on myself, starting out, to be “perfect”–to know everything–get it ALL right, from day one.
Evenings, I would talk over my teaching with my husband–and lament my many mistakes.
If I could, I would go back and tell that New Teacher–the fact that you care so much is proof that you’re not doing everything wrong, even if you fear you are.
And–the key is–pay attention, but be gentle on yourself. You were a student–you know what helped you, and what didn’t. The teachers who were on fire about their subject matter? Yes they were admirable, and you appreciated that they put so much into that part of it.
But the teachers who truly made a difference–were the ones who SAW you. As a human being. Who didn’t give a shit about the grade–who cared about your heart.
And that’s what you do.
And the other stuff? What music to explore, how to successfully collaborate with your students, so that the learning is meaningful and lasting… Well–again–pay attention. Notice what seems successful, what doesn’t… but instead of expecting perfection from yourself, ask of yourself the same that you would ask of a student–to show up, authentically. (No one has to learn or teach piano if they don’t want to–so we can all participate from a place of Genuinely Wanting to.)
And–like you would ask of them–give genuine feedback. (Is this working for you? Although, in my case–is this working for them?)
And–like you would encourage them, tackling a monumentally difficult piece–if you aren’t able to reach your ultimate goal right away–don’t lose heart–keep trying. Give yourself some credit for what you ARE doing well!
And most of all–enjoy the process. Life is short. Enjoy getting to know them–do your best to serve them–don’t forget to SEE them, and let them know you do. That you care about them unconditionally.
The rest will be forgiven, and forgotten…
(Along with how to play Fur Elise!)
Heidi- thank you so, so much for your feedback!! Also, you are the first ever to comment on the edutechchick blog : ) Teaching from the heart is the only way to go and learning what to let go of is the only way to prevent burnout.