1. Be nice, but firm.
Don't try to be buddies with the students and try to get them to listen to you at the same time. These two do not work together. I had to learn the perfection combination of kindness and firmness, in fact I am still trying to master it. It is so important to learn, it not only will help you in your classroom, but this structure will nurture the student's learning.
2. It's all okay!
If a lesson plan or your plans for the day don't go the way you expected to, it is okay! If the kids want to do a station a different way than set up, but they're still getting the concept, it's okay! If you have to take more time to go over something, it is okay! As long as students understand what you are teaching, then it will all be okay! Just breathe!
3. Know how to fix paper jams.
Knowing how to fix a paper jam has helped me tremendously! When you are in a rush and have to make a stack of copies in only a certain time, a paper jam is coming your way. It just seems to always happen that way. Knowing how to fix a paper jam in a quick amount of time helps! Other teachers will love when you are in the work room, but with great power comes great responsibility. If all the teachers know that you are amazing with the copy machine, they will always want you to help them! Be careful on who knows your secret power!
4. Don't be scared to ask for help!
If you are head over heels in work and are lost on what to do, don't be scared to ask for help! Don't be to proud to show your weaknesses. Asking for help may give you a new perspective or another teacher may have a better way to do something or do something you would have never thought of. Even if you don't need help, it will take you the extra mile just to get extra help.
5. Listen to criticism.
Asking other teachers for help could include asking them to point out things you are doing wrong or what you could do better. Listen to what they have to say! Everything that they tell you is valuable to your teaching career.
6. Don't take everything to heart.
Some criticism can be very useful and constructive, other times other's words can be harsh and hurtful. Don't take it to heart! Learn how you can use it to make you better. Take the advice and make sure you do whatever it is to not make them not say it again. Use everything people say to your advantage in making you the best teacher you can be.
7. Perfection comes by time.
No one is perfect at anything they do the first time unless they're not human. You are going to make mistakes. I can't count the times I thought, "Well that was awful." I had to learn that perfection comes over time and that perfection may not even be reachable, but I can sure try to reach it. I learned to think, "There's only room for improvement."
8. Take the time to say, "Good Morning!" to everyone.
Don't be the person that nobody wants to see in the morning. Bring the sunshine into the school. Say good morning and smile to everyone. It will start everyone's day on a better note.
9. Find the quiet in the chaos.
There will always be moments of chaos in the classroom, learn to find the peaceful moments and savor them.
And finally,
10. Laugh!
Make your year and your student's year memorable. Laugh in the fun times. Laugh through all the mistakes. No matter if you think so or not, the end of the school year is approaching and it's coming quickly. Be able to laugh with your students and your colleagues. It will make the year more fun for all.
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