What advice would you give your younger teacher self? What do you wish you knew your first year/years that you have learned over time?

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I’d tell my younger self to change careers.

likesmart

Agree with all these comments. Teaching was never my first choice but now it’s year 17. Always have a backup plan as elementary stated. I would not allow my kids to join the profession. Too little pay for too much BS.

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Befriend the school secretary. That is a great person to have on your side. They are often the principal’s right hand man/woman

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And the custodians! They can work magic.

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Get the fuck out of a toxic work environment ASAP. You don’t get paid enough to deal with this bullshit. There are plenty of better schools and administrators out there that will actually appreciate you and treat you with the respect that you deserve

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Middle school math teacher 4, that’s what I’m scared of. I have my roots settled in my current location. I have limited schools in my area to choose from. What if the next school isn’t any better? I wouldn’t be able to come back. At least I have friends here.

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It’s ok to not know everything. Ask questions. Be open to learning from those with more experience.

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Definitely don’t go into teaching!!

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Be confident! Ask questions and listen to good advice but don’t let parents, and students make you lose confidence in your abilities. You are a professional, you know what you are doing.

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Don't stay in education.

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You are an adult & they are children. There is and needs to be a distinction because:
1. I am their teacher, not their friend. I'm not their friend because I don't have children as friends, that could be creepy.
2. I am not at the same level as them. Therefore, nothing they say about me can insult me because I am above their level. I also will not argue with them because I am above their level. Once they have achieved peer status with me, I'll entertain considering changing my stance on these 2 things, but not until then.
3. I am not going to be run off or lose my job behind their behavior. They are children who need to be taught accountability & appropriate behaviors & responses. I will not lose my sanity over something that can be taught.
4. They need a safe space that is overseen/run by an adult that they can trust, someone who has both higher authority than them but also comes with integrity, respect, & dignity.

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Contact home early on. I tell myself this every year and I let things slide… every year

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I'd tell myself to learn more about related careers such as Speech Pathologists, Art Therapists, and Occupational Therapists. I would make a notebook and fill it with notes and pictures from my students.

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learn about politics early

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as well as learn that it isn't appropriate to inject your own politics into the classroom.

Number one.. always put students first with every decision you make in the classroom.

Number two.. if an administrator fails to recognize number one, leave.

Number three.. there will always be people who will try to derail you, and they can always be more convincing to an administrator than you can. When in doubt, refer to number one and number two.

Number four.. things will get better, though not necessarily easier. Better is always good!

Number five.. remember the reason you became a teacher, and always remember number one!

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Buy land, live basic, stay single, retire early.

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Be patient and always know who you are

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No one is going to remember you. Go back to school.

likehelpfulfunny

MSMT4–I teach communication, and I have had students come back and remember specific lessons, so I know that they are sticking. But, you’re right—I am a teacher to touch lives, and I have been successful at that. I am our counselor’s go-to when a kid needs something that she can’t find another way to get. I’ve bought groceries for families, coats, shoes and countless pairs of jeans. I am also an ear to those who need one. Students know that my classroom is a safe place.

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Fostering positive relationships with students will matter more than planning or any paperwork. Students who know you care will TRY even if the curriculum is insane. Students who don't believe you care won't care no matter how awesome your lessons may be. Some parents should not be parents, but they are, so the key is to find a way to get the students to feel accountable directly to you.

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You will need to change school corporations every 2-3 years to get a raise. And don’t bother getting a masters, ED.S. Or Ph. D. You will never earn enough money as a teacher to pay for the cost.

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School corporation is a term that may be unique to Indiana. I know people in the Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corporation.

Drink less coffee 🤪

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I would tell me that everything they taught me in teacher school is about the “average” kid, and that there’s no such thing as an average kid. They all come with stories, and every story deserves to be heard.

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Schools are not interested in really teaching kids. The main goal is to make sure kids are happy and parents do not complain.

likesmart

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What's a rule you are expected to enforce that you strongly disagree with or are indifferent to. Do you enforce it or take the risk? I move around as a tutor and am currently working with a school that has a ridiculously strict formal address policy. One of my second graders refers to me as "Miss Tutoring (my first name)" - it's about the cutest thing ever and doesn't bother me one bit. We are moderated sometimes and I'm more worried about her getting in trouble than me for not abiding.

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If you wold like some assistance with classroom management or even managing your owe children, check this out this resource.

likehelpful

I am looking for ideas on how to teach spelling in the classroom.

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I can manage my classroom better if I don’t respond to emails outside of office hours. This gives my mind a break and by consequence refreshes me for the next day. It also sets a boundary.

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I’m moving to new state (Indiana from South Carolina) and and going to a 6th grade position. Any suggestions for must have things for a 6th grade gen ed classroom?

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Organization is critical for classroom management. Try assembling units into Google Slides with links to ppts, activities, etc. Color code them according to the rainbow: Unit 1 red, Unit 2 orange etc. It takes a minute at first but the payoff is a one click upload for next year! PS I use the same color code system with felt tip pens to grade my classes: 1st hr red, 2nd hr orange etc.

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Anyone use edgenuity? I'm starting Monday with students, never been trained, no guidance. Don't know how to set expectations if I don't know. ice breaker ideas? I'm not in my classroom.. media center.

Do you have a classroom coach?

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Advice from any moms or child care takers.
My niece is in fourth grade and she opened up to me about having body issues and afraid of bullying at school. She told me that she is friends with a girl that is chubbier and is from a single parent household and that kids in her class make fun of her for it. She thinks that if she is chubby other kids will make fun of her, too. She has a belly (but she’s in 4th grade ffs!!). She told me that she feels really self conscious and wants to have a (cont).

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likefunny

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Hi Fishes,

Need 11 likes to Unlock DM. Kindly do the needful.

Thanks in advance

likesmarthelpful

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Happy Friday! 🤣

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What I really need right now is __________________________.

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likehelpful

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likeupliftingfunny

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likehelpful

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likehelpful

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likeuplifting

I’m new to my building and I’m such an introvert...am I alienating myself if I actually just want to eat lunch in my room and keep working? I want to make friends, but need time to myself to breathe!

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