As a still-pretty-new teacher myself, one question I get asked often by substitutes who are getting their degrees in education is:
“what is your best advice for me as a new teacher?”
In this post, I am going to share with you the 5 things that I say every time I am asked this question. These are the 5 best tips for new teachers I have learned the importance of in my first two years of teaching, and that I believe can make the biggest difference in your life as an educator.
5 Best Tips for New Teachers
1. Sub in different districts and grade levels before getting a probationary job.
Many newly graduated teachers are eager to jump right in to their own classrooms, and I totally get it. You’ve spent the last four years (at least) planning for that moment, and straight out of student teaching it can feel like you are ready to take on the world.
That being said, taking some time to be a substitute before getting a probationary job can be really beneficial for lots of reasons.
Subbing allows you to get a feel for different districts and grade levels before making a more long-term commitment. This is especially helpful if you didn’t have much variation in your student teaching placement(s). You can think of it like research. Which grade levels do you enjoy being in most? Which districts or schools make you feel most welcomed? Do you prefer larger or smaller districts? You may be surprised by what you find.
Being in different schools can also introduce you to different behavior management styles and curricular resources, and give you opportunities to further develop skills districts are looking for when they hire teachers for probationary positions. The added classroom experience in a variety of settings could also make you more confident and marketable as a job candidate.
They paycheck might not be as good, but the benefits of taking a year to sub are for real!
2. Don’t feel like you have to do everything on your own.
Teaching can be a lonely profession and all of the things you do have to do on your own every day can be overwhelming. You can find a lot of resources online, but don’t be afraid to go to your colleagues who have been around a little longer for help too.
Most schools will have some sort of mentor or buddy program for new teachers. These seasoned professionals can be life savers! Ask them questions, observe them in their classrooms, and ask them to observe you and provide feedback. Even simple things can be game-changing. My buddy teacher often made copies for me when she new our classes were using the same resources and it was a huge help.
Unit and lesson planning with a partner or small group is a great way to both get to know your new colleagues better and potentially take a few things off your plate. Don’t be afraid to divide and conquer when it comes to finding resources and prepping materials. Plus, if you are working with someone who is already very familiar with the curriculum or program you are using, they can provide really helpful insight and teaching tips.
3. Set boundaries for yourself. Don’t let your job become your life.
We all know the cliche, “nobody becomes a teacher for the paycheck.” But what is said less often is why we do become teachers. We are passionate about education and helping the next generation develop the academic and life skills they need to succeed.
As passionate people in a complicated profession, it can be so easy to fall into the trap of using all of your free time to complete work that you aren’t able to complete during contract hours. I know this because I have done it. I have spent most of the last two years working overtime either in my classroom or my living room and now that time is gone. I can’t get it back and it is one of my biggest regrets as a teacher so far.
You aren’t always going to be able to stick strictly to your contract hours, but don’t let your job become your whole life. Setting reasonable and strict boundaries for yourself right from the start will help set you up for success in this area. Don’t wait to clock out until you’ve crossed everything off of your to-do list… we both know how long that will take.
4. Keep track of everything you spend your own money on.
This is another unfortunate truth of teaching. You will very likely have to spend money out of your own pocket to purchase things for your classroom. Whether it is for storage, academic resources, extra snacks for students, extra supplies, etc., keep track of everything you spend. Not only may you be able to claim (a very small amount) on your taxes, but actually seeing those expenses accumulate could help you evaluate and adjust your classroom spending habits.
This could also come in handy when and if the time comes to pack up your classroom for moving on to another grade level, school, or district. Knowing exactly what you purchased out of pocket versus out of a school budget will help in determining what gets left behind and what moves on with you.
5. Keep a journal to record your first years, even if it’s just a line a day
I wish I had been doing this these last two years, especially on the days when I leave school feeling totally defeated.
Write down the funny and sweet things your students say, the totally unbelievable “can’t make this stuff up” things, the compliments you get, and any constructive criticism or things see that you want to try next year. Having something to look back on is a great tool for reflection and growth, and also good for a laugh when you need it.
And there you have it! My 5 best pieces of advice for new teachers. While this is not an exhaustive list of everything I have learned in my first two years, these lessons are the ones I wish I hadn’t had to learn the hard way. I hope that hearing them now will help you find some peace amid the overwhelm, and enjoy the important work you do with your students every day. Good luck!