New Teacher Survival Guide

You will find tips that will be an asset to beginning teachers. Once hired, beginning teachers are required to attend staff development. These are usually crash courses on things to do for the first few days. Sometimes even hints or lesson plans or curriculum expectations. It becomes a sink or swim situation, because once in their classroom the teacher is left to their own devices. They may be assigned a mentor they may not.

The beginning teacher needs guidance, assistance and understanding. We want success for them, but in order to attain that goal, districts must provide them qualified mentors. It is also about having principals that are supportive of all staff members.

Classroom Discipline

Classroom discipline is one of the reasons that new teachers do not survive their first year. Many teachers give up teaching because of particular students. The teachers have said that they had no administrative support with these disruptive students. Granted it is hard to walk into a REAL classroom, with REAL students. Textbooks did not teach REAL classroom discipline. You learn as you go, but it should not become so stressful that you do not have time to teach.

Let your students know you mean business. They are there to learn and you are there to teach. Teach your rules and procedures. This should be done during the first few days of school. But don't hesitate to review them as the need arises.

Be fair to all students. All rules and consequences apply to all students. In other words, do not pick and choose rule to student. Students will notice favoritism!

Do not be confrontational with students. Do not embarrass them in front of the others. Students are human also and come with their own set of troubles on any given day.

You expect students to listen to you- you also should make it a point to listen to them.

Classroom discipline should not always have negative conations. Classroom discipline can also mean giving positive praise when students are on task.