| With new classes, students, lesson plans, and | | | | last thing you want to do is head in the wrong |
| school policies, as a new teacher it is not always | | | | direction when a fire drill is happening, and have |
| clear to us where we should start. Thus, we need | | | | the entire school waiting for you. Or worse off, |
| an entry plan for any new school that we work | | | | how would it feel to have a student go into |
| at so that we don't feel overwhelmed in our | | | | anaphylactic shock in your classroom before you |
| jobs-- teaching kids can be hectic enough. | | | | have gone through training on how to give an |
| It is important to understand that your approach | | | | Epinephrine needle. |
| to teaching might be very different than the | | | | Being a new teacher you need to get close with |
| approaches of your colleagues; however, there is | | | | the special education programs that exist within |
| necessarily a right or wrong answer. Generally | | | | the school so you know how to accommodate |
| speaking, a new teacher must create a classroom | | | | students in your class. Learn how to access and |
| environment where lesson plans are created to | | | | sign out any technological resources within your |
| address the needs of all learners; classroom | | | | school including: computers, laptops, Smart boards, |
| management is a collaborative effort; and | | | | photocopiers etc. Other teachers typically book |
| students can take a constructivist approach, learn | | | | this equipment early because school resources |
| new things, and apply their knowledge in fun and | | | | might be limited, leaving the new teacher out of |
| innovative ways. | | | | luck. Also polish up, or have someone show you |
| First off, a new teacher needs to capitalize on the | | | | how to use Mark Book or a program like it so |
| strengths that they bring to the role of teaching. | | | | you can keep your marks up to date. Check out |
| Some strengths can include: humour, an interest in | | | | any workshops that may be happening at your |
| helping students reach and exceed their potential, | | | | school or within your board that will give you |
| an ability to motivate students by showing | | | | insights into things that will help your teaching |
| enthusiasm for learning, an aptitude for helping | | | | practice. |
| students develop their strengths, an acceptance | | | | Being prepared is so important in teaching to keep |
| for social and scholastic diversity, an understanding | | | | your stress levels down, so that you don't come |
| of and ability to implement instructional tactics, a | | | | home from work each day, and fall asleep on the |
| positive learning environment, effective | | | | couch. You do not want to ware yourself down |
| management techniques, knowledge of the | | | | to a point where you don't like teaching after |
| curriculum, and the ability to present material in a | | | | being exposed to all the stresses of being a new |
| meaningful and innovative way. | | | | teacher. New teachers need to take care of |
| A new teacher must have actions they plan to | | | | themselves in this profession by coming prepared |
| take when they step foot in a school. It is | | | | with an entry plan for success, taking a sick day |
| important to dress and act in a professional | | | | if necessary, and having a good laugh from time |
| manner, abide by the school mission statement, | | | | to time. A new teacher needs to take these |
| keep an eye out for the well-being of students, | | | | measures so they continue to enjoy teaching for |
| make yourself available to students who need | | | | the long term, rather than sticking around jaded, |
| assistance, show school spirit by attending school | | | | counting down the days for their retirement |
| events, and plan to assist with the coaching of | | | | pension. |
| school teams. | | | | Do not forget to check out the link in the |
| There are also things that a new teacher will | | | | resource box below. I've got a great free report |
| want to know about immediately. Emergency | | | | that details my experiences so you can learn |
| procedures are so important to understand. The | | | | from them. |