First Year teacher

I have learned a few things since I have started.

1. Many people want to help you succeed, but only a few can. The rest will waste your time endlessly. Find ways to avoid them. The one's that can really help you typically won't approach you.

2. Tune out what you don't get that nobody can explain to you. If it is important, you'll find out soon enough and someone will find you that can explain it.

3. Never put off doing grades! Not even one day if you can help it.

4. Plan a week at a time, maybe two.

5. Over plan your lessons. If you think you have just enough, you don't.

6. Have tomorrow's stuff ready before you leave today. Anything could happen and will.

7. There is no perfect approach. Teaching in a middle school is like trying to herd cats.

8. You will be wrong a lot and the kids will call you on it. Don't let your ego get in the way, they will respect you more if they know you are human.