ABC for New Teachers


  • Admit your mistakes -- and learn from them.
  • Be firm but flexible.
  • Communicate with parents.
  • Develop a homework policy -- and stick to it.
  • Empower your students; don't just teach them.
  • Find time to attend extra-curricular activities.
  • Get to know all the teachers in your school and make friends with the admin and support staff.
  • Have the courage to try something else if what you're doing isn't working.
  • Institute a clear discipline policy -- and enforce it consistently.
  • Just listen -- both to what the kids are saying and to what they're not saying.
  • Keep a diary.
  • Learn your school's policies and procedures.
  • Model desired attitudes and behaviuor.
  • Never let the world get you down
  • Overplan.
  • Prepare interesting lessons.
  • Quit worrying and just do your best.
  • Remember that you teach students first, then you teach whatever academic discipline you learned.
  • Stay alert.
  • Take time to assess your progress.
  • Understand that the learning process involves everyone -teachers, students, colleagues, and parents.Get everyone involved.
  • Volunteer to share projects and ideas, and don't be afraid to ask others to share their ideas with you.
  • Work within your limits.
  • Xpect the unexpected -- and plan for it!
  • Yell if you need support.
  • Zero in on your strengths, not your weaknesses. (Remember - nobody's perfect!)