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I found this article about the first year while looking for articles that I could use for another assignment. When I came across this article I was highly impressed by the information that w... See More

I found this article about the first year while looking for articles that I could use for another assignment. When I came across this article I was highly impressed by the information that was given. Last year was my first year of teaching, and I was doing a lot of reflecting when reading this article, and I would definitely recommend this to anyone who is about to start their first year. I enjoyed the information she shared about getting organized. This is the most crucial part I do believe. Being unorganized leads to so many other problems throughout the year, it is best if you handle them from the very beginning. I also loved how she gives advice on having fun and getting involved. Often times as a first year, you find yourself so focused on creating the perfect classroom, that you loose sight of having fun. You must remember yourself so you don’t become burned out. Lastly, the most important thing that she mentions is, finding supports. As a first year teacher you feel like you have so much to prove. Find someone that you can talk to about things that arise during the school year. This may not just be one person. You could even find different people for different things. Be sure to build a tribe. The one thing that I was surprised that wasn’t included in the article was, remembering to take time for you. It is crucial to take time for yourself. Teacher burn-out is real. It is so easy to become wrapped up in school and focusing on the kids that you forget all about you. Over all, I enjoyed the article, and it will be one that I save to present to any new teach that asks me for advice.

Very good advice!

Lynn Hensley’s article, First Year 101, gives great advice for the new science teacher. Hensley gives numerous tips on how a new teacher can make his or her first year a little easier. One s... See More

Lynn Hensley’s article, First Year 101, gives great advice for the new science teacher. Hensley gives numerous tips on how a new teacher can make his or her first year a little easier. One suggestion is to create a dry-erase model of the desk arrangement in the classroom with the names of students written where they sit to look at the first week or so of class in order to learn names of students. If students need to be rearranged during this learning period, the teacher can erase and move the student’s name on the chart so a new chart does not need to be made for each change. Another great tip in the article is to gain the attention of the students at the beginning of the year by demonstrating a cool chemical science demonstration and having students write questions they have, and also have them discuss how science is used in their every day lives. Hensley also suggests new teachers find a good mentor and take advantage of professional development and networking opportunities, such as conferences and workshops. One suggestion Hensley gives is to post and teach the class rules on the first day of school. I have recently found that many districts are straying from the traditional posting of rules, and they are now focusing on teaching good character traits students should try to have. When a student misbehaves, the teacher can use it as a teaching opportunity and explain which character trait the students should work on in order to better in the future. I think this is a great way to help students establish and maintain good character, both in and out of school. I appreciated the advice this article gave, and I feel it can be applied to new teachers of any K-12 subject.