Enjoy reading the wisdom of experienced teachers on how to become an effective, caring teacher. Our top 15 tips work for all kinds of situations and ages of students. New teachers will find this resource particularly valuable when they're getting ready to take control of one of their first classrooms.
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Teaching Strategies:
Keep a sense of humor!
Stay organized, be flexible, and document
everything.
Mariella Brenlla
Ponce de Leon Middle School
Coral Gables, FL
Grade Levels: 6-8
Mariella Brenlla
Ponce de Leon Middle School
Coral Gables, FL
Grade Levels: 6-8
Realize that you will make mistakes, because becoming a teacher did not make you perfect.
- Don't be afraid to apologize to your students when you have made a mistake.
- Realize that the lesson plan is just that – a plan. Remember, we make plans every day of our life but rarely do we carry them out 100% of the time.
- Get a good night's sleep every night.
- Read, read, read as much about the teaching profession as you can.
- Join a professional organization.
- Write your name in permanent ink on the front of everything you own in your classroom. Teachers are notorious for borrowing something of interest and then forgetting where they got it from.
- Don't let your teaching job become your life! Of all the professions in the world, teachers could easily work themselves to death because so much in this world can be used to teach our students.
Henry Gail McGinnis
V. I. Grissom Elementary
Houston, TX
Grade Levels: 3-5
Take the time to get to know your students.
It's amazing just
how much you might accomplish when you get to know your students on a
personal level. When you stop caring, it's time to move on.
Mylina Stanfield
Boaz Middle School
Boaz, AL
Grade Levels: 6-8
Mylina Stanfield
Boaz Middle School
Boaz, AL
Grade Levels: 6-8
You can't do it all at once.
Be sensitive to your own needs and
temper your drive to succeed with moments for milk, cookies, and a good book.
Renew your reasons for teaching as often as possible. It will always bring
you back to the pleasure of a toothless smile when something difficult
has been achieved! Remember the fuel for your day; smile, smile,
smile.
Lois Accardi
Glenwood Elementary School
Short Hills, NJ
Grade Levels: K-2
Lois Accardi
Glenwood Elementary School
Short Hills, NJ
Grade Levels: K-2
There are three things that come to mind....
1. Where the bathrooms were all located.
2. Never tell the kids how old you are.
3. Never, EVER, be SUPER NICE when disciplining a kid.
Anonymous
2. Never tell the kids how old you are.
3. Never, EVER, be SUPER NICE when disciplining a kid.
Anonymous
Buy a large scrapbook.
When a child gives you a school picture,
make sure they sign and date it. Then, place it in your scrapbook along
with a brief note to yourself to help you remember that student. You will
never regret taking the time to keep it updated.
James Gates
West Shore School District
New Cumberland, PA
Grade Levels: 6-8
James Gates
West Shore School District
New Cumberland, PA
Grade Levels: 6-8
Leave your personal problems at the door.
Show the kids you
care.
Michael Uhl
I. E. Evans Intermediate School
Bonham, TX
Grade Levels: 3-5
Michael Uhl
I. E. Evans Intermediate School
Bonham, TX
Grade Levels: 3-5
The first people you befriend in a new school are the secretaries and the janitors.
They can help you enormously! They are the most
valuable assets in the school; treat them well.
E. F. Pool
J. C. Burroughs School
Chicago, IL
Grade Levels: All
E. F. Pool
J. C. Burroughs School
Chicago, IL
Grade Levels: All
Memorize and learn the students' names, first and last, before they arrive!
It is very important to start off your school year with
knowledge. Know your students' name, write them on name cards and assign
them a seat so you can also memorize them in order.
Doreen Travis
Fairview School
Sylva, NC
Grade Levels: 6-8
Doreen Travis
Fairview School
Sylva, NC
Grade Levels: 6-8
Find a mentor!
A veteran teacher that you can go to anytime
and ask lots of questions.
Patricia Contreras
Central Elementary School
San Diego, CA
Grade Levels: K-2
Patricia Contreras
Central Elementary School
San Diego, CA
Grade Levels: K-2
Accept help whenever it is offered.
Find as many ways as
possible to praise students because that is what they
respond to the best.
Wendy DuToit
Blackmon Road Middle School
Columbus, GA
Grade Levels: 6-8
Wendy DuToit
Blackmon Road Middle School
Columbus, GA
Grade Levels: 6-8
I wish I knew: that a smile in those first critical few moments when facing the class for the first time would change the pace of the day.
- that the deep trembling all the way down to my toes would eventually go away before the first period was over.
- that the kids were more apprehensive about the teacher they were
getting than I was about them.
Islamic Elementary School
Queens, NY
Grade Levels: K-2
A simple, kind word or smile means everything to a child.
Take time to
listen to your students and give them adequate time to share. Trust your
instincts and judgments.
Sue Ritchie
Nathaniel Morton Elementary School
Plymouth, MA
Grade Levels: 3-5
Sue Ritchie
Nathaniel Morton Elementary School
Plymouth, MA
Grade Levels: 3-5
Start the school year the way you want the rest of the year to progress.
If you want quiet, expect it the first day. If you want
meaningful interaction throughout the year then make sure you have
it on the first day. Give students the respect and guidelines they need.
Make sure they know what you expect of them from day one and the rest of
the year runs itself.
Diane Shortall
Loma Vista School
Santa Ana, CA
Grade Levels: K-2
Diane Shortall
Loma Vista School
Santa Ana, CA
Grade Levels: K-2
No matter how hard you try to please the parents, the administration, and the students, never stop trying to please yourself.
Lesley Golkin
UCSF Child Life School Program
San Francisco, CA
Grade Levels: All
UCSF Child Life School Program
San Francisco, CA
Grade Levels: All
