Advice for new teachers!

I'm linking up with Latoya at Flying into First with some advice for new teachers. I've neglected my poor blog in favor of a long weekend away, sorry! I met tonight with a former aide from my district who is interviewing for a teacher position in our district tomorrow morning, so what a perfect time to join this linky! It's all about advice for new teachers :)

Buy: Comfy flats. I have TRIED heels. I gave it a go. It doesn't work for me. For all of you who can manage heels, I envy you. Comfy, cute flats are a definite must! I have invested in all colors, all styles, something to match every outfit for every season!

Always: Plan ahead. Plan your week out on Friday during a prep time so you aren't scrambling on Sunday night (maybe I should take my own advice...? ;)) Make sure you over plan - there is nothing worse than running out of things to do! I'd rather have to scrap something from my plans because we had so many other tasks to work on than be unprepared for my kids. ESPECIALLY at the beginning of the year when you're assessing and you don't know your kids! Copy ahead of time and have it all set to go. Nothing worse than having to scramble 5 minutes before the bell to pull your lesson together for the day. Plan, plan, plan! 

Never: Display a negative attitude. There are days where you want to scream. The kids were awful, the staff can be mean, a parent is driving you crazy. The worst thing you can do is show it. In your first year, everyone's watching you! Find a trusted friend and vent to them, but keep smiling at school :)

Find: Friendly colleagues. My first year of teaching was a little bit tricky. My grade level colleagues were not the co-workers I found myself going to. Instead, I connected better with the special education staff. You never know who you will connect best with, and don't be disappointed (even though it is challenging) if you don't connect with your grade level colleagues. Find some friends and buddy up with them - eat lunch in the teacher's room at least once a week even when you want to eat at your desk and finish working. Do it! :)

Make: Time for yourself. My first two years were spent working around the clock and doing nothing but creating, planning, answering parent emails at all hours of the night, and worrying about NOT working when I was taking time for myself. MAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF. The classroom will still be there and the kids will survive if you leave the classroom before 7 pm. Really!

Be: Flexible. You don't know what you're going to get in your first year - crazy parents? Crazy kiddos? Crazy colleagues? Grade changes? Moving classrooms? Moving schools? Check, check, check, check, check - for me! Be flexible! Be open to other's opinions. Let people help. Ask for help. Go with the flow. Teaching is constantly changing- you have to change with it :)