Words of wisdom for new teachers.

Here is some wonderful advice from fellow educators around the world.

(You may not copy the information on this page without written permission from "Free Things for Educators".)

"Plan, plan, plan! I find that being well organized is a must. Be prepared, however, to be flexible too." -- U.S.

"Be willing to act crazy with your students!
Be willing to adjust the schedule if necessary!
Be stern in the beginning, lighten up as the class can handle it!" -- Texas, Kindergarten

"As a new teacher last year, I would recommend quickly identifying and establishing relationships with those teachers at your school who give 110% effort for their students and others in the school. Stay away from the negative teachers who are critical of other teachers, administration, and students. Not that other teachers, administration and students are beyond reproach, its just that as a new teacher you need to create good habits and fighting battles is not a good position for a first year teacher." -- Missouri, K-6 Special Education

"Make sure you have the classroom organized the way you want it, teach and reteach your rules and procedures, overplan so you always have something to do, and try to relax." -- California

"I, myself am a new teacher, so I say Stick with it!" -- South Carolina

"Read ''The First Days of School'' by Harry Wong.
Plan for all procedures and activities.
Be consistent and firm with discipline.
Don't be afraid to ask for help from other teachers." -- Florida, first grade

"Each child is different - and each needs special attention." -- Illinois, 3rd and 4th grade

"Focus on children, with severe behavioral difficulties, as challenges to care for, not problems to get rid of." -- New York, 2nd, 3rd, 4th grades

"Team up with veteran teachers for management techniques and even tried and true lessons and activities. There is a wealth of knowledge and expertise available right in front of you! Also, many teachers may be willing to share bulletin board materials and other supplies with you until you get a chance to build up your own inventory. Just ask!" -- Florida, 5th grade

"First of all, relax. Try to learn as much as possible about the campus layout. Knowing where the faculty potty is can be a life saver. Second, forget trying to learn everyone's name. Just call everyone "Honey." Next, plan, plan and over plan. Then prepare to leave most of your plans undone. Make friends with the staff and maintance crew. Show them the same professionalism as you would your boss. Trust me, they will come to be your best allies. Mostly, listen. Listen to everyone and every thing. But, keep your mouth shut. You'll learn more and look smart. The best part of the job are the children. They are forgiving and loving. Learn to rely on them as they rely on you. Don't ask for your pay check. Let someone remind you to pick it up. Try not to take up too much of the principal's time. Find one person you can talk to and exchange ideas with that person. You will need support the first year. Let people help. Do one nice thing for yourself every day. And remember, relax!" -- Florida, grades 1-6

"Always show love and understanding to the students, you never know when the last time someone else did." -- South Carolina, grades 6,7,8 Social Studies

"Go in with a smile on your face and have an open mind. Everything that college prepared you for is not what you will get when you walk into YOUR classroom for the first time. You have 20 (more or less) little faces looking up to you and it's your floor. You'd better have something to say! Good luck and HAVE FUN!!! It's ALWAYS better to have too much planned than not enough." -- Louisiana, 3rd grade

"Relax! Kids are full of natural enthusiasm. It would be hard to keep them from learning most days! Try to incorporate a variety of approaches to appeal to different learning styles, and let the children blossom." --U.S., K - 1st

"Always give instructions BEFORE you hand out supplies." --Pennsylvania, PreK-5

"As I am a "new" teacher, as well as one with experience in working in non-traditional settings - you will always make a difference - just by caring - just by being who you are - you will reach your students - they will value you - and all that you have to keep in mind - particularly when you're exhausted right down to your hair follicles and you're feeling stumped - is that you make a difference." -- New York, grades 8-10

"If you think a child is spending to much time in the restroom or asking to go to the restroom too often, call the parents and SUGGEST that they may want to have the child checked for a urinary problem and explain the reason. This way you're not accusing the child of not wanting to work. Parents usually respond better and correct problems faster if the teacher suggests that the child MIGHT have a relatively minor medical problem." -- West Virginia, 2nd grade

"Be fair." -- Tennessee

"Do the best you can...but don't worry about trying to accomplish everything. Even those of us who have been teaching for many years can't do it all. Enjoy watching your learners BLOOM." -- California, 1st grade

"Be prepared! The first day of school is the most important! You must have everything organized and set the stage for the rest of the year. Have a discipline plan and be consistent! If not, you will have a rough year!" -- Louisiana, Kindergarten

"Whenever someone asks me what I do, I answer that I am a teacher. When they say , "oh, and what do you teach_" I say , "CHILDREN!" -- North Carolina, 2nd grade

"Always be prepared and organized for your students. It pays to be even OVER prepared and able to choose from a number of activities planned for the day. Always have a detailed lesson plan and be willing to digress from it if the mood of the class necessitates that." -- Washington, D.C., K/1st grade

"The words of wisdom I offer is that it is not necessary to raise your voice to get your students' attention. Using a key word or phrase, or a signal of some kind will work quickly. Once students realize what you expect when you use these words or make a motion or gesture you'd be surprised at how responsive they can be. Students need and want consistency!
Read Dr. Harry Wong's book "The First Days of School" and "Positive Discipline in the Classroom" by Jane Nelsen, Lynn Lott and Stephen Glenn." -- Colorado, 3rd grade

"Love your students and they will love you back. Don't participate in teacher's lounge gossip. We do not punch a clock because our job is 24 hours 7 days a week. Don't worry too much about coming in early or leaving a little after the designated time. These students are "your" kids. Put as much time and effort into educating them as you would want/expect from your child's teacher. It is alright to call a parent when you get home from school or on weekends or whenever it is convenient for them to receive calls. Remember that some parents can not be easily reached while we are also at work. Set and review the classroom rules for at least the first week of school. Be loving, but firm. Have fun!!!!!" -- Florida, 7th grade

"Look for the strength in each child." -- Massachusetts, PreK-12

"Relax! If you seem to be frightened or uneasy the kids will REALLY try you to find out what you are made of. They want to know if you are in control and will take care of all the problems. (I have taught preschool - 2nd, and 4 -12 all subjects, age doesn't matter here). Go through your major class rules on the first day. The fewer rules the better. Write them on a poster or bulletin board and review the first week.
Be real, let them know you care and do your best to lay responsibility for their learning on them. They will learn what they want and have the interest in. Make your room interesting in how the subject is presented, but don't do too much truly exciting stuff. This will backfire in the end. The child will think they have to be entertained like they do when they watch tv or go to the movies. You are not responsible to stand on your head to get attention or their interest. Have fun yourself!" -- Tennessee

"Pair up with an experienced teacher who can mentor you." -- Arizona, 2nd grade

"Find joy in the little things.
Don't worry about the things that have nothing to do with teaching. Administration is always changing policy. Just teach and be confident in yourself.
Attitude is EVERYTHING!" -- South Carolina, kindergarten

"Go over the rules, be consistant and fair. Don't make a rule that you do not have posted. All rules should be posted in the classroom so that every child has the same opportunity to observe them. Place pictures to demonstrate your rules. This can be done at any age or grade. Be VERY prepared....and have many offset plans available to fall back upon." -- Kentucky, PreK

"Make friends with the custodial and office staff. They know a lot more than you'd ever think. They are the backbone to the school, and will help you out a ton. Don't take all your work home with you. Limit time you spend on work related items. Be good to yourself and your family. Don't neglect either one. Enjoy the good children, and change what you can of the not so good children, and don't let the rest get to you. Always keep in mind what is important. Don't listen to the press, the government or anyone else that tells you education is what's wrong with this country. It's what's RIGHT with it. You are a treasure, a joy and you DO touch the future, even though you may never see the evidence. Just know that you are very important. Make the effort, don't give in or up." -- Florida, grades 6-8

"Always be polite to your students even if they are rude to you!!!" -- Missouri, 3rd grade

"Let the kids do what they want, and they'll run all over you. Employ a sensible reward system (ie: Carrots, etc), and you'll have far nicer, less imposing group of kids to deal with." -- UK, grade level 5

"Do not take other peoples opinions on teachers, students, or staff. Form your own opinion. Stay away from gossip. Be organized and fair. Do not be afraid to ask for help. Do not feel that you have to do what the teacher before you did. You were hired because they think YOU will do a good job." -- New York, Special Education

"Stay as organized as possible...there's nothing more frustrating than having to spend hours filing piles of accumulated stuff!" -- West Virginia, grade 5