Whether it’s your second year teaching or your thirty-second year, going back to school is an exciting time. There’s the wondering about the students you’ll be impacting, the slight trepidation about what new requirements may be put upon you, and the joy in knowing that others will be gaining insight about this amazing world of ours. But before you put up your bulletin boards and start writing your lesson plans, reflect a little on this advice for veteran educators.
Review What the Research Says about Your Subject Area
A lot of new research has come out in the last few years on the best way to help students master critical content. You may have been so busy teaching that you haven’t had time to stay up with the information. So spend a little time now before the school year starts to review best practices. Check out the resources and tools that I shared in the blog “Some Advice for New Educators;” they’ll save you time and provide you with the most current research in your area.
Try Something New This Year
It can be easy to get stale when you’ve been teaching a while. You pull out the lessons and resources that you’ve used in the past because they are comfortable and save you time. But you don’t want to become that teacher who has taught “one year over and over.” So make a commitment to try at least one new thing this year. It could be a new instructional strategy or a different technology tool. Maybe you want to collaborate with another teacher on a shared project or work with an instructional coach to hone your craft. Whatever you decide, put it in writing and then hold yourself accountable for doing it. You’ll be surprised at the results, both for you and for your students.
Share Your Wisdom
You’ve learned a lot over your years of teaching. Don’t keep that very valuable information to yourself. There will be new educators on your campus who could use even a little of it. Reach out to them before they begin struggling. Let them know that they can get through their first, very hard year and that the battle will be worth it. Remind them of the good that they are doing every day. Pass on some of the advice that you wish you had been given when you first started teaching.
Finally, remember that TCEA is here to help you. If you have a question, you can feel free to email it to me at lgracey@tcea.org any time and I’ll find someone with the answer. If the year starts to get to you, reach out and let us remind you of why you became a teacher and how critical the work that you do is. If you are feeling unappreciated, know that we fully support you and deeply value the difference you are making in the lives of the students you teach.
