What's the one thing you wish someone had told you before your started your first full-time teaching job?
Here's what they had to say:
- The most important things you'll teach your kids won't come from a textbook.
- About special ed students...mods...IEP meetings...laws ...etc....
- Make classroom management your top priority (because you can't teach and they won't learn if you don't have control of your classroom).
- Be humble. You may have fantastic ideas, but you won't have a shot of working with others at your school to make them happen if you come across as a newbie know-it-all.
- Growth is not just measured with numbers.
- Be proactive, not reactive.
- Take some time and watch everything that is going on around you. Once you figure out who they are, seek out that successful veteran teachers at your school and ask them for help.
- Every student deserves an IEP.
- Everything you think, say or do matters. Everything.
- Treat your students like they are your own flesh and blood.
- Remember that your kids are people, not machines. And remember that you are, too.
- Remember to take some time for yourself, it will be appreciated by you, your friends, and your students.
- Your students may not always listen, but they SEE everything--actions often speak louder than words.
- Engage and utilize the resources around you. Other teachers... anyone who you can share your vision with. No one ever said you had to be the change you want to see solo.
- If you're miserable, find anyone--significant other, roomie, advisor, shrink--who can help you take hold of your situation.
Experienced teachers, please share your tweet-sized answer in the comments so we can make these an even more valuable resource.