teaching on the first day of school without any assistance or
introduction. All that has changed!
changing requirements for teaching and the increasing demands for
teachers to include a variety of teaching styles and methods, you now
need to know your school and your co-workers before that first day. It
is, therefore, vital for you new teachers (or those new to buildings) to get there NOW and begin
networking.
1. Find your MEDIA/TECHNOLOGY COORDINATOR.
This person will be your best friend if you have incorporated
technology into your lessons (YES- There should be technology in your
lessons!). The building tech person will have your gradebook access
information, your access to the projectors, dvd players, mobile labs,
etc. They will also be the one you call for HELP when you are in the
middle of a lesson and the whole system goes down. It happens!
2. Meet your SECRETARY/BOOKKEEPER/RECEPTIONIST.
You may have the idea that this person is not important in your life,
but that is a very bad assumption. They are your lifeline to resources,
classroom materials, club schedules, and parents! Your office staff will
help you when no one else is available and they will always be there
with a kind smile to help you get through the toughest of days.
3. Beg for time with your ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS or CURRICULUM FACILITATORS.
These roles are sometimes new in the buildings these days, but they are
vital and often overwhelming (my husband was an assistant principal and was always running!). In the old days, the principal took care of
everything between the Central Office and the classroom teachers. Now,
the principals pass those obligations down to their assistants. So for
curriculum or discipline questions, these are your “go to” people. Make
them your friends and allies!
4. Know and love your CUSTODIANS.
If you’ve ever watched The Breakfast Club, you know that the custodians
are the eyes and ears of the building. They know everything. More
importantly, they take care of your classroom. I very much appreciate my
custodians and the work they do. It is an incredible job, and I try to
do all I can to make sure they are not stressed with extra messes and
mishaps. One simple practice – make sure your last class picks up
anything from the floor and deposits it in the trash can on the way out
the door. Simple, but significant!
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| From The Breakfast Club – a great movie to watch as you prepare for the new year! |
5. Collaborate with your COUNTERPARTS.
Find the other teachers in the building that teach the same students.
Work together to create interdisciplinary lessons and talk with one
another to share effective strategies in classroom management for your
“challenging” students. More importantly, these teachers will know and
understand your specific stresses like no other in the building. Be each
others’ sounding board for ideas, and share each others’ stresses to
make your year go by without a serious catch!
Finally, find other NEW TEACHERS.
If your school does not have a new teacher co-hort or mentoring
program, create your own. You need to work with one another and share
the stress of being a newbie! But don’t be the downer in the group. Just
remember – your first year (or first year in a new building) is temporary. Next year, it will be your
second, and by then, you will be an old pro!
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Happy Teaching!