How to Survive the First Year of Teaching English

As a new English teacher, you'll have your hands full with grading, parent correspondence, classroom management, new teacher meetings, and lesson planning. As a result, it's almost expected that you'll feel near your breaking point at least once during your first year. To prevent total insanity, and to achieve the right balance of responsibilities, refer to these tips.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Don't expect too much of yourself as a rookie teacher. You won't be an expert the first year, and no one expects you to be. Rely on the fact that you know your content; those "teacher skills" will come from experience.

2. Before the school year begins, make sure you have solid classroom rules and procedures for your students to follow, and that they are displayed somewhere in your room. You should also be familiar with the school's mandated rules and procedures. By completing this step, you'll effectively prepare to meet the biggest challenge you'll face as a rookie: managing your classroom.

3. Prepare lesson plans for a substitute teacher even before the school year begins. You never know when you might need sub plans, and it's easier to prepare them when you're feeling well.

4. If possible, subscribe to or create a website for your classes. This website might include assigned homework, the dates of upcoming tests and projects, your contact information, and links to important handouts. You'll save time and frustration by offering this service to your students and their often needy parents.

5. Set work-related priorities. Determine what absolutely has to be done for you to make it through the next day, and then do it first. You should always decide to plan a lesson over grading papers. If your students are not engaged by your lesson, it will be more difficult for you to manage their behavior. A lack of planning can lead to additional chores like meeting with the principal and calling parents. Avoid stress by being prepared for class.

6. If your school doesn't automatically offer you a mentor, ask for one, and/or befriend other teachers in your department and ask for help. It is often said that a teacher's survival is based on his ability to beg, borrow, and steal lesson ideas. Don't be ashamed to do this. There is no need for you to create lessons from scratch if your colleagues already have some great activities. Send out an email before each new unit asking if anyone has lesson ideas for you. You have a right to be annoying; you're trying to survive!

7. Use the weekends to grade papers, but realize that you can't possibly grade every assignment you give to your students. As guilty as you may feel, place some completed assignments in the garbage, and move on to more important projects. Remember, you are not required to grade every single worksheet or vocabulary activity you assign, and students still benefit from simply completing the assignment.

8. If your school offers teachers' aides, ask for one or two. While an aide won't be able enter grades in your grade book, she may be able to run errands or make copies.

9. Know when you need to take a day off. If you're cranky, sick, behind or burned out, CALL IN SICK. You are entitled to at least one mental health day per semester, and you'll do yourself and everyone else a favor by taking the occasional day off. Yes, there may be more work for you to tackle when you return, but if you're worn down, you won't be effective in the classroom.

10. Make it a priority to eat healthy foods, exercise and sleep for 7 or more hours per night. You'll be more focused and energized as a result.

Tips & Warnings

• Your health and family are more important than your job as a teacher. Don't sacrifice either of these things for other people's children.
• When dealing with parents, try not to take their comments personally. Many parents are overly emotional when they speak to their child's teacher, and you should be prepared to deal with this situation.
• Always ask for a fellow teacher, a counselor, or a principal to sit in a meeting with you and a student's parent. Sometimes you need a mediator.
• Consider joining a teacher's union so you'll always have an advocate.
• You may want to quit during your first year, but know you are not alone. Most teachers feel exhausted after their first year, and many contemplate changing professions. Remind yourself why you wanted to teach in the first place.
• Know that it usually takes an average of three years before a teacher feels competent in the classroom.