To help refresh my memory about new classrooms and starting over, I've been thinking a lot about my very first year of teaching. Two years ago, I was giddy, feeling super prepared, nervous, and wide-eyed about all that was ahead in the 5th grade. I was excited to meet my kids, so ready to give life to the dream of teaching that I've had for years, and eager to get started. Then my room filled with students on the first day of school, the door shut, and I was left standing alone in front of my audience. I'm pretty sure I didn't breathe for a little while because I realized they were all staring at me for instruction. I can laugh at that moment now, and I will never forget it.
Throughout that first year, I learned so much about myself as a teacher and as a person. I definitely learned a few very important lessons that I need to remind myself of before starting this new year.
You have got to ask for help. You have got to push the pride and stubbornness under the table and shout out to the mountaintops when you don't understand something or need a second opinion because, for gosh sakes, someone will be there for you. Whether it is a reading specialist, an administrator, a teammate, or a secretary, someone will be willing and able to help you. I had a hard time with this my first year because I wanted so badly to seem like Superwoman. I wanted people to think I had it all together and that I could handle anything. But when you seem like you can handle anything and don't reach out when you're struggling, the extra activities and responsibilities pile on, leaving you to solve your problems that have now multiplied by 100. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, it is a sign of growth and strength. My principal finally told me this after a long conversation my first year, and it's some of the best advice I've ever gotten. There will be a lot to learn in 2nd grade, so I know I will be asking for help more than a few times. However, I am excited about sharing some of this advice with all of the sweet new teachers on our campus this year. You can be seasoned and almost an expert, but still need to ask for help, and still be a leader and advisor to others.
This brings me to the second lesson I learned the hard way: You have to learn how to say "no." This was something else I struggled with my first year because I am a perfectionist and very Type A. My to-do lists never end, which keeps me going and on my toes, but our first priority as teachers is our children. If we are taking on too much, we get worn down and exhausted. Do you know what happens when you take on too much and you feel like you can't let people down, especially in your first year? You end up sleeping at school. Like full on pitching a tent and catching zzz's under your desk.
It is not healthy for you to sleep at school. Now I never actually slept at school overnight, but I came pretty dang close. Once, when I still lived with my parents, my dad came up to get me on a Tuesday or Wednesday night at about 10:45 PM. He turned off the light and basically pushed me out the door. Don't do that to your dad. Don't make him have to come rescue you from the abyss behind your desk way past your (and his) bedtime. You can do the work later. You do not have to make that lesson super cute. You need to eat actual food because 12 Goldfish is not dinner. You are not productive as a teacher the next day if you are sleep-deprived and exhausted.
Don't lose your social life. This one is pretty self-explanatory and goes with not sleeping at school, but it is so important to save time for friends, family, and socializing with people who are not half your size and don't eat glue.
Even though you might be new, appropriately speak your mind and stand up for yourself. You have fantastic ideas! You work hard and you know your children. Share your thoughts and feelings. Have an opinion when it comes to discussing your students. Stick with your gut when you feel like you should share something. Just like seasoned teachers have lots of advice to give, new and less experienced teachers have opinions, too! Especially when it comes to our kids, WE know them best. We spend so much time with them, so if there is something you're concerned about or {need help} with, speak yo mind!
Be proud of yourself, you ROCK STAR, you! This is something I continue to struggle with. When something goes wrong or I think that I could've done better, I am very hard on myself. This should be against the rules for new teachers, and EVERY teacher for that matter! We have a very difficult job, and just getting up in the morning to wrangle rugrats and herd cats is a feat in itself. Give yourself a break! I'm mostly still speaking to myself when I say that, but for real! Be proud of what you do for these kids. Be proud of how you are learning each and every day. Be proud of the work you put in to your job. Don't compare yourself to every other person you see. Just be you!
Countdown to school is 10 days. That's it. 10 days until my nuggets and I embark on our journey together. Come December and again in May, I'll need to look back on this post and remind myself to leave before 10 PM, ask for help, delegate, speak up, and stay true to myself. We are here to make a difference in the lives of the nuggets.
My motto this year is IT'S ALL GOOD!
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13
Let's do this.
Meg