Saturday, January 12, 2013

A Letter to my First Year Teacher Self: What I Wish I Knew Then...

A long overdue post which has come with great reflection over time. A letter to any "First Year Teacher." What I wish I knew before I embarked on my adventure. May you embrace the advice, may your remember it often, and may you know that each day is a fresh day to begin again, and of course, that you are stronger than you know...




Dear Newbie, 

I wish I could begin by telling you that this very first year will be the idealized vision you imagine it to be, or, at the very least, one of the lightest breezes you will have ever experienced. I wish I could tell you that you’ll laugh more than you’ll cry, that you’ll remain the same individual that you are the very moment you step into those classroom doors which, as unreal as it sounds, is embellished with your name on it. 

However, those are only wishes. And when I think about it, how wonderful it would be to have all those wishes come true; yet, how wonderful it is that they do not. I know you will not appreciate such wishes not coming true until you finish your first year; yet, it is at this point that you will understand how true these aforementioned words are. I know you will want to “throw in the towel,” possibly everyday in fact. I know you’ll want to drown your feelings in Ben and Jerry’s every night. I know you’ll want to sleep the weekend away, to sleep away your experience often. To sleep so as to shield the tears. You'll see the experience as a roller coaster ride, in which you are holding your breath, and praying you don't lose your lunch.

However, I also know that time changes everything, even, dare I say it, your feelings to eat jars upon jars of Ben and Jerry’s. Even that roller coaster ride aforementioned becomes an enjoyable ride, in which you begin to expect the falls and turns; yet you continue on for it is purely enjoyable now.

I could banter about experiences to you that would shake your soul, and then balance it off with experiences that conclude with thoughts of, “and that is why I teach. That is why I have the best job in the world.” However I will spare you from those. Why bother you with mine when you will soon have a lifetime of experiences unfold in front of you which will echo similar discourse. 

I am here to tell you, not only does time change everything as aforementioned, but time also heals wounds. Time is your saving grace in the education realm. Time gives you the chance to make mistakes, to learn from your mistakes, to learn from others, to understand the following in due course (in no specific order)

Seek advice when needed. Accept support when given. Build relationships with your students, don't attempt to be stoic. Stand firm. Stand up for your students, you know more than anyone what your students need. Don’t let your teaching experiences haunt you, although I know it will be hard. Respect your students because then they will respect you. Pick your battles, and pick them wisely. If there ever comes a time in which you are unhappy, know when to make a change. Embrace the little moments in your day, for there is always a teaching blessing in it. Set expectations, and uphold them. Remind your students of such expectations daily. Ask your students opinions, give them freedom, give them a chance to be creative. Remember that you will always, always have more to learn. Collaborate. Plan, and organize, and then plan some more. Remember, even the best lesson flounders, and that is alright. It is alright to have days in which you embrace “old school” instruction; in fact, a book and handout keeps students in "check." Try the very best to think of your students as your children, even if a few (or numerous) are unruly. It’ll help you understand the reasons why your student is the way he or she is. Sometimes your students will have more pain than you can imagine occurring at home, but know that you can at least provide them an environment which is best for them when they are at school. Remember that no year of teaching repeats itself. Be respectful of cultures. Learn to take constructive criticism, and learn to ask for it for it will be your saving grace in fueling you into becoming a great teacher. Remember, the greatest action you can take is to always try again the next day. Try to be better than you were today. 

And as far as you go, make sure to take care of yourself. School will always be a part of your life; in fact, you will always take a bit of it home with you even if you leave papers behind. Try not to take situations personally. Forgive yourself, and forgive yourself often.  It is alright to let your students know you are human; remember this. Try your very best to remain passionate, optimistic, and mindful of your practices, especially your words. It can be easy to get caught up in the “drainage” of the day through those who seem to drain the most. Especially as a first year when you still are attempting to understand the territory you find yourself in, and the unwritten codes which follow. Try oh’ so very hard to shield yourself from those who breathe the attitude of “it can’t be done.”  Know individuals will judge you for trying new instructional strategies, don't take it personally. Know that, as hard as it is to believe, not every teacher is in it for the children. Accept it, and don't let it drown your passion. Don't be afraid to offer suggestions, even if they are continually not taken. With each passing day moving closer to the ending of another school year, you'll find you have more and more to learn; embrace it, don't let it scare you. Don’t be prideful. Be confidant, yet practice humility. Learn from those with experience, and listen. Listen often. Listen clearly, and actively. Internalize it because you are listening to advice which stemmed from experiences personal to each and every teacher, just as you will have yourself. The children feed off of your energy; so go for another cup of coffee if you need to. Most importantly though, don’t doubt yourself. Dare to be courageous, and dare to be creative.  Dare to make mistakes boldly, and dare to embrace the cliched learning curve you find yourself in (it is rewarding despite the haze of stress.) And always remember, you may never know the difference you make, but being truly present and passionate will make more of a difference than you can possibly imagine. 

...and there really is no better feeling then knowing you did the best you could for your students, your children, at the end of the day. There is no better feeling than when you say: “I am a teacher.” 

Embrace all that comes with it; you'll never have a dull day. Falls and turns are still present, yet the ride becomes smoother with time. Most importantly, don’t give up. Trust me. 

Sincerely,

A "Second Year" Teacher (solely by marks of a calendar. A "Second Year" teacher who still has a long way to go, and an infinite amount to learn.) 

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