| So you are done with college and ready to return | | | | two years of teaching will be your sickest years? |
| to school as an elementary teacher. You are | | | | That is because your body has to adjust and build |
| teaching during some major transition years. | | | | antibodies against all the viruses and bacteria that |
| These are the years students are still in baby | | | | students will bring into the classroom. Take a |
| mode and you have to teach them independence. | | | | multivitamin to keep you healthy and your body |
| Do not stress, you will be fine. It has been done | | | | strong. You are no good to the students if you |
| before. Every great teacher had a first year! | | | | are sick and out of work. Also, budget, budget, |
| Below you will fine a few tips to help you get | | | | budget! Why would budgeting be mentioned in this |
| through your first year of teaching. | | | | paragraph? It is a common complaint of teachers |
| Classroom Management | | | | to be underpaid. Not handling your finances can |
| First, what is classroom management? Classroom | | | | cause serious stress in your life which can affect |
| management is the management of student | | | | your mental health and eventually your physical |
| conduct. It is the process of ensuring that the | | | | health. Take the time to manage your money and |
| classroom and lessons run smoothly despite | | | | avoid the "I am broke blues." Lastly, remember |
| disruptions that may occur during the day. | | | | your life lessons, drink your water, exercise, and |
| Classroom management is the key to a | | | | get some sleep. |
| successful and effective first year. One mistake a | | | | Do Your Job Well |
| first year teacher can make is not putting enough | | | | If you are reading this article then you live in the |
| detail into their classroom management plan. You | | | | 21st century. Well, so do your students. Although |
| do not want to forget about all parts of the | | | | your students are in the beginning of their learning |
| classroom when creating your classroom | | | | careers, they are still very advanced. Technology |
| procedures and routines. Every teacher knows | | | | is their friend, so technology is your friend. You |
| about the general rules when planning a classroom | | | | are competing with computers, cell phones and |
| like "no talking when the teacher is talking" or | | | | portable video games; do not be afraid to bring |
| "keep your hands to yourself." What about other | | | | technology into the classroom. There are so |
| rules and parts of the day. If you are not careful | | | | many great technology resources available; it |
| simple transitions can become a major hassle. | | | | would be a shame not to use them. Take to |
| When planning and organizing your classroom, ask | | | | your school's resource person or instructional |
| yourself questions like "How will students sharpen | | | | facilitor. Also, use your mentor. Your mentor can |
| their pencils? How will students be allowed to go | | | | be a great support system for you. Mentors are |
| to the bathroom? When will students be allowed | | | | experienced teachers with many classroom |
| to go to their storage space?" When you ask for | | | | strategies and successful lesson plans. Use that |
| homework, you do not want 15 students running | | | | experienced resource and the ideas that come |
| to their book bags. That will get annoying for you | | | | with it. Remember, you are a professional now |
| really quick. | | | | and although you are new to teaching you can still |
| Take Care of Your Body and Health | | | | be a valuable asset. Share ideas that have |
| Becoming a teacher requires plenty of work on | | | | worked for you and ask for suggestions to |
| your part. You are setting up your classroom, | | | | improve on those that did not. Like I said before, |
| creating lesson plans, and just busy being busy. | | | | every great teacher had a first year. Don't be |
| You are now so wrapped up in your students and | | | | afraid to try new things. Mistakes will happen! |
| career that you forget the most important piece | | | | Learn from them and use that learning to your |
| of the puzzle, you! Did you know that the first | | | | advantage. |