I did not choose teaching, it chose me. At a time in my life when I was really trying to figure out how I would change the world I was called to teach. Your first year won't be easy everyone warned...hmm okay I thought but if I attack it with the same grit as I did law school it can't be that bad. HA. Just like the first year of law school, the first year of teaching is a process. It's filled with highs and all kinds of low but here are a few reflections. I apologize if they are random but this is the order they came to me in.
People will sometimes tell you it can't be just be about the kids. But I think they are wrong. Everyday I woke up because of my kids. I worked in conditions that I didn't always like or agree with because of my kids. Teaching brought me joy. Even on the days I wanted to pull my hair out. I wanted to get better each day for my kids. So first and foremost it should be about the kids.
Things will change it's how you respond to that change that matters. My job description has changed so much I barely recognize it. My bosses saw something in me and so they changed my schedule several times so that I could work with as many students as possible. So not only did I feel responsible for my homeroom students but also every student that I worked with for intervention. As I look back I am glad that my bosses forced me to do this. All of my students both homeroom and intervention are at or above level. To put this into context in August only 12/83 scholars throughout the entire school were on or above level. Today ALL of the scholars I have worked with which totals about 45 including my homeroom are on or above level.
So don't let anyone tell you that you can't be effective as a first year teacher. I was intimidated initially because every other lead teacher had at least 2 years experience but hard work, perseverance, and a deep belief in my kids helped propel me to success.
My biggest lesson from this year is that you have to have a deep belief and I mean a real belief of what's possible for every child in your class. It should drive you and on the days they are not living up to that belief, you must still challenge them. I am a big fan of high expectations but it has to be coupled with the belief that children can meet those expectations. When you believe they believe. There will be disappointments and even testing cycles where they don't perform the same way they do with you everyday. But do not be discouraged, keep believing, and keep striving. It is very much possible.
Never stop working on you. Teaching is definitely a job where you can not rest on your laurels. There is always work to be done. You are truly your students greatest assets and advocates. Go to as many PD sessions as you can, go watch excellent schools and teachers if possible, use the internet. A few things that have helped me are Teach Like a Champion and Teach Like A Champion 2.0, Practice Perfect, Good Habits Great Readers, The First 100 Days of School, The First Year Teacher's Survival Guide, and The Together Teacher. Even if your district provides really good PD keep developing yourself.
ROUTINES, ROUTINES, so nice I had to say it twice. You must especially for K build strong routine and habits. This will help save you so much time and will help the pacing of your lessons. Think about everything you want students to do, from how they enter a class, early finish work etc. And write out a procedure and take time to do it again and again and again until it can become habit. Trust me great routines and procedures drive excellent instruction.
Take time for yourself. As I mentioned before you are students' greatest asset and advocate but if you are not 100% don't expect it from the kids. It's hard because the first year seems like there's always more work to be done and you're never really ahead. But Rome wasn't built in a day. Take time for yourself, set a hard stop on school and planning. Maintain your relationships. It makes a world of a difference in the classroom.
Find your organization system or adapt a mandated system to best fit you. Organization is really have the battle with teaching so if you're uncomfortable you can constantly fill frazzled---trust me.
Fall in love with your kids and the process. The best think about K is they were new to school to. But these kids want an amazing educator and are so eager to rise to your expectations. Fall in love with your class, appreciate their differences, celebrate them! The first year is a process---learn from it. Learn from the good, the bad, the ugly, and the I don't even want to talk about it but get me a glass of wine and take each day as a chance to get better.
Believe in yourself, believe in your kids, and believe that a first year teacher can make a difference.
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