Teacher Talk Tuesday

It’s Teacher Talk Tuesday over at Blog Hoppin.  This is a day for us to offer advice to new teachers.  If you have some advice of your own… be sure to link up.

My advice:

1         ~If possible, talk to the previous teachers before the school year.  I usually have them come in and check out my seating chart/desk arrangement to ensure students are in a good spot.  There may be two students that just don’t get a long, or that talk to much, and this will help avoid that problem right from the start. 

              

          ~Communication is key!  In many cases… you can never communicate to much with parents.  Well, I’m sure you can… but they do love their updates.  This is why I keep a daily take home journal.  Students record one thing they did during the day, and parents sign it. Then, if they have any questions they can jot a note down in the journal, shoot an email, give me a call, or pop in the room.

     ~Don’t be afraid to ask for help!  In many cases parents would LOVE to come in to the classroom and help out.  If you have a big art project planned… ask one to help out.  If a struggling student needs an extra person to read to or to work on math with… ask one to help out.  If you have some odds and ends that you need done (coping, cutting, etc.)… ask one to help out.  I think you get the point! 

     ~Be sure to treat yourself.  You deserve to feel relaxed… so make sure you do!  A little glass of wine at night, your favorite shows, whatever you enjoy.  The students catch up pretty quickly to someone who is stressed and becoming angry.  It will make the year much less enjoyable.  You NEED to be able to have fun WITH the students.  This is especially true when winter becomes long, and spring drags on before summer. Those can be some of the toughest times to get through… but you have to do it with a smile on your face and excitement in your heart.

     ~Blog it out!  We are all here to help.  If there is something you can’t figure out what to do… or you need advice… that’s what Blogging is for!  We are all ears and ready to listen/support.

I hope this helps!  Have an amazing year!