New Teacher Advice

Next week, our teachers will return to school and get ready to start the new school year. Recently, I got an email from someone who will be teaching special education for the first time and asked me for some general advice. I wasn’t told what grade level or what handicaps will be involved but I think my advice works for all. I thought I would share with you what advice I gave.

General advice:

1. Take time to eat your lunch each day - you will need it for energy!

2. Take a multivitamin (because your body will need to fight off all the bugs the kids pass on to you).

3. Have a hobby to do outside of school which is necessary to relieve stress.

4. Stay away from negative people. Expect to go through some tough times (which is natural) so you don't need negativity to make you feel worse.

5. Be open to suggestions from experienced teachers around you.

6. But be careful about trusting the wrong people (who may steer you in the wrong direction)

7. Call parents the first day and introduce yourself and tell them how excited you are about teaching their children.

8. Call or email parents every other week to touch base and brag about their children). The parents really appreciate this and you will get more supportive parents this way. The administration loves this too! Keep a log of who you call, when you call, and notes about what you talked about.

9. Ask to sit in on another special education teacher's IEP meeting so you can watch the procedure before you have to hold a meeting.

10. Find a special education mentor if the school/district hasn't given you one.

For all you experienced teachers, do you have any general advice that you would add to my list? Please share!

Image: 'Morning light'
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