Teacher Talk Tuesday

Words of Wisdom for First Year Teachers:

• Set your expectations from the get go. Life will be sooo much easier and you won't waste time later correcting behaviors that you let slide during the beginning of the school year.
• Share and Take! My first year of teaching, I had an AH-MAZING group of ladies to work with. We shared ideas and took each other's ideas and made them our own. It was wonderful! Then...I got married...and moved...to a tiny school where there were only two 2nd grade teachers. While my colleague was the sweetest little lady alive, she was also set in her ways, and close to retirement. Let's just say, I didn't have anyone to "share" with!! Well...good news!! I now have a FABULOUS partner in crime to plan with and share ideas with and life is good again!! Don't be afraidto share ideas or borrow those of others!!!
• Communicate!!!! Have some sort of daily communication with parents. I use a take home notebook where I stamp the conduct daily, write encouraging notes, and let parents know of any concerns I am having with their child. Keep records of all communication...it might come in handy later.
• Read Aloud to Your Kiddos. It doesn't have to be for AR or even to have a purpose. Just read. You will be exposing your students to so many new words, experiences, and feelings just by opening a book.
• Love! Find one thing to LOVE about each and every one of your students. On those days that they are driving you CrAzY, stop and think about what you love about that child and smile!

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