How much help for a first year teacher?

I remember my first years of teaching with great fondness. Despite the failures, it was a time of enthusiasm and creativity.

Too bad you didn’t have a mentor. If you have an opportunity to give advice to a friend (and she is asking for it) it will be greatly appreciated. Remember to concentrate on the positive…..otherwise, she may be intimidated. It is great to have a mentor, although your experience may be limited.

You can discuss difficulties throughout the year.

P.S. I have been teaching for more than 25 years. My work is with at-risk teens. If you need advice, feel free to contact me and I can share with you. I have a very big bag of “tricks.”

Hillary

I wish I had someone to help me through the tough times when I began!

It is terrific that you are giving your friend some tips. Just know that what worked for you may not work for her because you are different people teaching different kids in different schools. And what worked for you last year may not work again this year. The kids make the difference. Besides, she’ll tell you, from your advice, what did and did not work, and perhaps she herself, or together with you, can work out a strategy.

The kids speak to each other, you get known, and the things you did that they enjoyed will get passed on in addition to the punishments and homework that you dealt out. Every teacher has to establish his/her own style and strategies, and with that comes your reputation. Your bag of tricks is never at a loss; you may need to modify the tricks.

Good luck with your second year! It does get easier with time because of your bag of tricks and your experience.

Teachers get ideas where they can. The best tips come from other teachers. She will make plenty of mistakes with or without your sage advice. Every class is different, and what works with one, may not work with another.

Congratulations on completing your first year.

BTW you and your friend might want to check out www.proteacher.com for a lot of help.

I think it’s fine, but read her carefully. She might not be receptive. I work with newer teachers at my school and it is easy to see when it’s too much… I have seen the vacant stare of frustration on myself too many times.

try some things:

Instead of telling her what works for you ask questions to elicit where she’s having success. Discuss her successes as they come. I learn much from my new teachers even now.

You said you like Harry Wong – ask her if she’d be willing to discuss a section of the book that YOU are having to work on.

Aside from your friend – you could use more support in your coming second year (Im in year 15 and I still get ideas from others)

Find someone in your district who is well respected by other teachers – find a way to sit in on their class.

good luck!

As a mentor teacher, I am surprised that your district doesn’t have one for you. In California, new teachers are in an induction program for two years with a support provider. It’s a great program, providing that the new teacher and support provider are a good match.

Support your friend, offer suggestions, bounce ideas off of each other. Reflecting on teaching will help both of you. Good luck and thank you for reaching out to your friend. Maybe you could reach out to a trusting teacher friend at your school.

OK, take this for what it is worth. I am going into my 4th year teaching. I can say that my first year was the worst year of my life. I was too nice to my students and they walked right over me. Now, some people offered me advice and it was my choice as to accept it or not. But for the most part, I learned on my own. And you know what, it was amazing!

My second year teaching was the best year ever. I took everything I learned from year one and used it to improve my teaching skills. My closest friend started teaching this past year with me and there were times I could have helped her. But she needed to learn things on her own like I did.

I am not saying you can’t help, but try not to offer advice on everything! Let them learn like you did. You will see the difference next year! 🙂

She’s your best friend. Wouldn’t you help her in any way would could with other things in life too?

Yes, by all means help her in any way you can.

Teachers need to help each other, and quite frankly it’s only another teacher who can really understand the problems that we go through. Try telling your problems with teaching to nonteachers and they will tell you you’re just complaining and remind you of all the holidays and summers you have off.

I have made my best friends with other teachers when we were going through trying times at school and supported each other in the process.

Teachers really need to stick together. If teachers don’t help teachers, then who will?

If you mentor your friend, you’ll both benefit. She’ll benefit from your experiences, both good and bad. You’ll benefit, because you will be able to focus on your accomplishments and have a better picture of what you plan to do for your second year. And her children (don’t forget about them!) will benefit, by having a teacher who’s more confident and responsive.

She will most likely share many of your experiences. Yet, you may learn from challenges that she will face that you have not seen before. Don’t be an island. Remember how you felt when you had one of those tearful days? Be there for her and you’ll be amazed at how it adds to her confidence as well as yours.

I think its awesome that you are giving her advice. If they dont work for her then thats that. Not everything works for everyone. I know for a fact I am taking a lot of things from my master teacher and other younger teachers with me when I start my first year.

Like you, I’m in my second year, and also like you, I feel I wasn’t given enough support. I am now trying to help the new teachers in the school as much as I can so that they have an easier time.

I consider it my professional duty to assist my colleagues wherever possible. I’m glad to see that you also do this.