You have entered a profession that takes time to master. Remember this first year, do not be too hard on yourself. Controlling a class of 30+ students takes some finesse. You will get better at this in time. I’ve struggled and made so many mistakes over the past 20 years teaching, but I’ve learned from my mistakes. And I have, by no means, stopped making them!
One of the main reasons teachers leave the profession in the first few years is student discipline. The teacher preparation courses you take in college often do not address some of the difficulties you will face. Having wonderful lesson plans are of no use if the students are disruptive and refuse to work.
There are also fun times ahead. Students can be hilarious jokesters who make you laugh every day. They will call you “Mom” (or Dad), bring you gifts, and tell you they think you’re the best. They can also push all of your buttons and challenge your ability to stay calm and in control.
Classroom discipline is still often a struggle for me. But I have learned a few things along the way:
- * Make sure you have rules for absolutely everything! What will they do when they need to use the restroom? How do they get a pencil if they forget theirs? When are they allowed to talk, and when must they be quiet? How do they turn in their homework? The First Days of School by Harry K. Wong will give you checklists of items you need to address before you start school.
- *Make sure the students know your rules and the consequences for breaking them. The first two weeks of school should be primarily going over, and over, and over the rules. And then again in a month or two, go over them again. Be careful not to get soft on a rule. They are all watching you. If you give a break to one student, the rest of the class will test that rule for themselves.
- *Stay calm. In the most difficult circumstances, take a deep breath and count to 10. If you lose your cool, students will lose respect for you. They will start to feel unsafe in the classroom. They will start to dislike you. Then they will test you more than ever before. My go-to book for staying calm is an oldie but a goodie: Positive Classroom Discipline by Frederic H. Jones. Jones walks you through the steps for staying calm and effectively dealing with tough situations. I read it every summer to prepare myself for the coming school year.
- *Think about how you look to your students every day. If they like you and believe you like them you will have a much easier time gaining cooperation. This year, teaching online, I’ve had to watch myself on the screen as I’m teaching. I realized that I often look stern when I’m concentrating on my lesson. Now that I can see myself, I catch it right away, and change my look to a more friendly, caring one. As you see, there is always more to learn!
These things, I’ve learned, are more important than any content you teach. If students like you and believe you like them, your school year will be more enjoyable and less stressful. You will be more successful in teaching your content.
- *If all else fails, find a veteran teacher that you can confide in. It will make all the difference to know you are not alone.
Teachers take Heart. As I look back at the past 20 years, I can see how much I’ve changed. I’ve grown as a teacher, and grown as a human being. One of the greatest joys is having a former student come find you, years after they have left the classroom, to tell you hi, and that they miss being in your class. The rewards will come!
Best of Luck!