1. Be Prepared! You never know what is going to happen, from a sudden downpour (where you remember your moon roof is open and you're soaked), to needing a sudden sub. Teaching is all about the unexpected and it's important to be prepared for anything that may come your way!
2. Breathe! It's OK that everything is not going to plan and even the best laid plans go out the window sometimes. In these situations, it is important to breathe. And not just to take things as they are with how the day goes, but also with parents, and administrators.
3. It's OK that not all parents don't like you. This is especially important. We are all human and everyone has their own personalities. It's OK that you don't get along with Suzzie's mom and dad, or that Mike's mom emails you every hour. As long as you are polite and professional it doesn't matter. Make sure you still keep the lines of communication open with all parents, no matter what their opinion of you is. By maintaining professionalism you may bring them around.
4. Dress your role, but appropriate. You don't want parents, visitors, or administration questioning if you are a teacher or not. I especially dress more professional than others because of my height and I naturally look young for my age. It's really embarrassing when you are at Orientation and parents are asking if you are old enough to be a teacher; or when I was subbing in my old high school as a college student and was asked for my hall pass!! Yes, dressing your role is important. Also, please do not wear your 'Saturday Night' shoes to school. I really don't understand how any K teacher can teach in shoes like that. **off my soap box**
5. Make friends with the school secretary, custodian, and cafeteria manager! You never know when you are going to need something last minute and these people are the only ones that can help you. It doesn't hurt to leave them tokens of your appreciation for doing a job well done and helping you out. I always leave the left overs from class parties for our custodians. Happy custodians make your classroom easier to manage. Same goes for the cafeteria manager, especially on those days that you forget your lunch!
6. Show your kids that it's OK to make mistakes. So many students are under so much pressure to always be perfect at home and in the community that they are afraid to make a mistake in school. I always make sure that I point out when I make a mistake and show my kids that it's ok, and that even adults make mistakes. By showing them that you make mistakes sometimes allows them to learn that mistakes are not the end of the world.
7. You never know the importance of a hug! Kids come in with so much baggage that they are just overwhelmed. Even if a kid doesn't ask for a hug but you go and put your hand on their shoulders may be just what they needed.
8. Be on time! Nothing is worse than missing a meeting or walking into the classroom late because you got your morning started off wrong. You cannot give your kids the best that you are if you are walking into the building the same time as the kids. This goes along too with being prepared.
9. It's ok that you may be mom! I have at least 2-3 kids per week call me mom and I don't mind. I still answer, but remind them of my name. At times like this you just have to laugh.
10. Have Fun! Teaching Pre-Kinders and Kinders is the best job in the world, have fun and enjoy your kids!!
Till Next time,
Debbie
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