First year teachers... or anyone for that matter.

Today I'm teaming up with Teaching with Crayons and Curls and My Mommy Reads to bring you ways to ROCK your first year teaching! 

Wow. Thinking back on 6 years of teaching (minus a few months for two maternity leaves), I have learned some LOADS since my first year teaching. It's hard to think about what I would do differently when it's basically EVERYTHING. haha. However, I have compiled a list of some things that I would definitely recommend.. and maybe even some I need to listen to my own advice and do.

Three Things You Should Do

1. You SHOULD try new things! 

As I said, I've taught for 6 years... so I'm entering my 7th and I am taking this one to heart this year. I'm jumping in with two feet. New classes are always exciting, but I am SOOOOO excited about this year! Incorporating more dramatic play into writing and a new sensory table!

2. You SHOULD be organized!

Remember at the beginning when I mentioned that there were things I still needed to work on? THIS is the number one thing I need to work on. I was on a maternity leave this past spring for around 16 weeks. BLESS HER HEART. She was an organization freak fanatic and I wasn't. Some things were organized. I have binders for each unit, and each month with activities.  I have cabinets with LA supplies, math supplies, games, puzzles, art supplies... but just because that's what's in them doesn't mean that once you open it up it's organized inside. I knew that she was going to have a panic attack if she looked in some of those cabinets and planned to organize some of them (maybe...) before I left for maternity leave. Well, I went into labor 3 1/2 weeks early and she came two days later... organizing didn't happen, but also shouldn't have had to happen if I would have started from the beginning. Whether you're going on maternity leave or not... GET ORGANIZED at the beginning of the school year. You will be happier, the class will be happier... it will work out. 

3. You SHOULD write down funny (or sad) memories!

My mom (that veteran teacher I was talking about) has been in a kindergarten classroom for (I think) 26 years she is crazy! a saint! and I definitely look up to her.  She told me I should be writing down my funny things kids say, or do... and I haven't. I thought I knew best and would remember them (she told me I wouldn't.... she's right) I remember some, sure, but definitely not all. I'll be buying a notebook at this years back to school sales. :) 

Two Things You Shouldn't Do

1. You SHOULDN'T be too hard on yourself

You're going to make mistakes. Yes, as much as you don't want to... as much as you plan... as much as you pin things on Pinterest... and read all of these wonderful blogs full of advice... you WILL make mistakes. But the positive thing is you can learn from those mistakes and make your classroom better than it was.  You don't even have to wait until the following year to make the changes, do them the next day or the very next lesson. 

2. You SHOULDN'T think you know best

Does this mean you don't know anything after a four year (or more) education.... no. However, there are going to be veteran teachers in the building and probably at your grade level... LISTEN TO THEM! They have taught for many years, and while some of those mistakes mentioned above may need to be made on your own, some don't have to be. While you should be willing to try new things (keep reading!) you don't have to reinvent the wheel... if they tell you the square wheel won't work. Listen. 

HAVE FUN! 

No matter what... have fun. Your children in your class will learn, you will learn, you'll all have fun, you'll all be mad, you'll all (or maybe just you) cry. but at the end of the day they will be your first class. They'll be the ones you remember and you will have fond memories of each. and. every. one. Even the one that cried for the first nine weeks of school and counted one, two, three, five. He grew, and so will your students. You'll be better off after your first year, and so will they.  Even if it doesn't seem like it, they are learning all the time and they love you (almost as much as you love them... even the one that just ate a tissue).  Never again will you have the chance to teach for the first time, so laugh. love and enjoy it. You will be wonderful.