As a new teacher, you might be one of the lucky ones who feels entirely at home in this new environment. But most first-time teachers are going to feel overwhelmed, uncertain, and flat-out scared. For those who need some reassurance, here is great advice to overcome those “new teacher” fears.
Don’t hesitate to ask for help. This includes asking for help from parents and other teachers. You are new, and they know there is a learning curve! If you are confused about something or don’t know how to handle a certain issue, your peers will help you out. If you are having trouble understanding the needs of a certain child, talk to the parents. They will be happy to give you plenty of insight that will make the classroom journey easier.
Keep students busy. The fastest way to lose control of a classroom is to let your kids get bored. They will then do things to relieve that boredom – and unfortunately, that sometimes means they will act out. Always have a new assignment, a different path, or a bit of extra work tucked away for those moments when your class plan doesn’t seem to stretch all the way.
Have a plan for discipline. Expect order – and enforce it. Tell your children what you expect on the very first day, and don’t bend the rules. If the rules are broken, have very clear consequences set out for each infraction. Send a copy of the rules home to parents, ask them to read it with their kids, and get the signatures of both your students and their parents, saying they clearly agree.
Stay organized! Your homework policy should be clear, and your method for grading papers should be workable. Show your students exactly what you expect of them from the very beginning. For instance, if they are supposed to turn in papers by placing them in the basket on your desk, that’s what they should do every single time. Don’t confuse them – or yourself! – with conflicting information.
Take a deep breath. Teaching is a very rewarding occupation, but it is definitely not an easy one. Despite your best planning, there will be times when you feel overwhelmed. This is true of all teachers, not just new ones! Give yourself a bit of a break. When you feel overwhelmed, take a deep breath and do what it takes to refocus. During your down-time, make sure relaxation is the name of the game. The more relaxed you are, the clearer your head will be – and the more confidence you will have.