Need help from all teachers!

[KarenB]

Yesterday, I was offered a long term sub position (full year), which will be my first teaching experience besides student teaching (and being a parent ).

So....where do I begin?? The teacher leaving still has a lot to get out of the room, so that has to wait for a while. I am meeting with my mentor on Monday to ask a million and one questions. I don't know if I even have a stapler .

Right now, I am creating a letter to the parents to introduce myself and fine tuning classroom rules, discipline, rewards, etc until I get my hands on the curriculum.

After my meeting Monday, I can begin to organize my plans, create lessons, etc until I can get into the room to do the "physical" stuff such as move desks, bulletin boards, and so on.

Am I on the right track?? I have about 24 days to get organized.

I will take ANY suggestions for first year teachers!!! I am SO excited yet nervous.

Thanks!
Karen

 

[Rajah]

No real advice for you, but I wanted to say CONGRATS!!! I hope the year goes really well for you.

 

[wendym]

Congratulations! My best piece of advice would be to make sure you make the most of the next 24 days to relax and get some time for yourself (and spend with your own family)as this year is going to be very busy.
Good luck
Wendy

 

[Tinkbell]

Congrats on your job! I'd suggest getting into the building as soon as you are allowed and get the physical stuff out of the way as soon as possible. It's hard to catch up on that stuff once the children arrive. I also agree with wendym. Take some time to relax. I do my plans (in pencil) 2 weeks ahead of time during the school year. I don't know if your principal gives specifics about plans but it's easier to do them in pencil or erasable ink just in case you need to change things. Also, don't panic if the first day does not go as you have envisioned. I always think of the worst thing that could possibly happen during a lesson and how I could quickly resolve it. Enjoy your class!
What grade will you be teaching?

 

[fkj2]

My advice would be words that actually came from my mother, who taught for 24 years. She always said that children were miniature versions of adults, and had the same fears, the same hopes, the same dreams, the same wants and needs, etc. as adults have but that because they were "little", there was a tendency not to recognize that.

You also need to realize that they're going to bring their problems to school with them. I remember going to my niece's Halloween parade when she was in kindergarten and being surprised by how many children who were in the parade didn't have any costume as well. Not even face paint. I thought every little kid should be able to celebrate Halloween in costume.

Then, a year ago, a friend who was subbing for a second grade class in our school system told one of the children that she was going to call his mom because he hadn't completed his homework. He told her not to bother calling her that early. She asked him, "Does she work?" "No, she's at the bar," was his reply.

It's another tough job but some people are destined for it. I hope you enjoy teaching as much as my mom did. For her, it was as natural as breathing and as rewarding too. Good luck.

 

[Sandy51]

First off, RELAX! And congratulations! You will be surprised at how everything will fall into place. Just remember to be FLEXIBLE because there will plenty of curve balls heading your way. If your lesson plan isn't working one day, be prepared to trash it and wing it. Keep in mind that YOU are the adult and everything will be fine. I'll soon be starting my 17th year, and can't tell you how many times I've had to wing it. But it all works out in the end. Don't worry about it. Enjoy the kids. Best wishes for a great year.


Sandy

 

[Aurora63]

Go to a bookstore and buy a copy of "The First Days of School" by Harry Wong and read it cover to cover. The way you start out the year will ultimately determine whether or not it is successful, and this book is invaluable. Go get it now!

Congratulations by the way!

 

[Rock'n Robin]

Get the curriculum first and get your bearings. Your first year will be no picnic. I don't know what grade? I teach HS. I love the kids, but honestly go to Sams and buy an extra large bottle of Tylenol. The Wong book is also a good suggestion.
I'm trying to remember more but my first year was 1988! I made sure I had a good calculator, but now I have a grade program on my computer!
Robin M.

 

[jan/cape]

I am a special education assistant in for K-3 mostly grade 3. These may be silly, but it is from an assistants point of view.

One thing I do is tape a copy of the class list to the window on the classroom door. That way we are not hunting for it when the fire alarm/drill sounds, we just grab it and head out the door.......this is great when you have a new sub. in the room too.

Have more than can be possibly done in one day in your sub. plans, and let the sub know 'ditch what doesn't seem to be working that day.
Above all, be kind to the assistants in your building. Word spreads fast who is a difficult teacher to work with.

Good Luck
Jan

 

[Sonya]

It sounds like you have a good plan, better than I had when I started! Good luck, and Rock'n Robin was right, get that bottle of tylenol!

 

[Fantasia Girl]

Congratulations! I will be student teaching in January, and I am already nervous about that! It sounds like you have a good plan, Good Luck

 

[cindala]

First of all congratulations!!!

Since this is a long time sub position (and I am the queen of long term sub assignments), make sure you have a contract so that you get paid a decent amount. In my town, you only get bumped up $10 more a day after 20 days in the same classroom, and that's the top dollar amount UNLESS you have a contract! Good Luck!

 

[Kitty 34]

I've been subbing for 20 years (long and short terms) so my advice to you is......take a deep breath, relax and ENJOY your job!!! Just remember it's a learning experience!

 

[KarenB]

Thanks for the great advice. I can't believe I forgot the grade.....fourth. I am lucky that I did my student teaching in this grade which will be a HUGE help!!!!

Karen