What NEW Teachers Show Know

I've put quite a bit of thought into the 'long-term' teaching profession and what is important to realize....or maybe not.

0-5 years are the exciting and energetic years, learning with the kids how to provide the best learning environment.

5-10 are the enduring years, teachers learning to use the 'old-timers' knowledge, struggling years, and years where 'reality' sticks up its 'ugly' head.

10-15 are the suicidal years. These years seem to suggest (at least from outside sources) you have reached your prime....still have 15+ years to retirement, disillusion sets in, and you're exhausted!

Year 16 is the discovery year. You realize a 'mental' sick day is in order. It's OK to take one.

Year 17 you find you're out of sick days.

18-25 years you begin to feel re-energized from time to time. You tell yourself, "I WILL NOT quit until I have a GOOD year." You KNOW you love teaching and begin to identify and focus on the 'good' and less on the 'bad.' AND you KNOW you DO make a difference!

AND for me, year 25 was a GREAT year...had another one last year. I DO love teaching. I love watching the kids. I miss them when I'm not around them for say.... 2 to 3 months!

•Every teacher needs the basic teacher education, basic knowledge of the world, math, sciences, and language arts....AND a good foundation of 'how to teach.' Teachers certainly need to continue their basic education throughout their careers.

•BUT the VERY BEST resource teachers have does not come from college, workshops, continuing education classes, books, online research. The VERY BEST resource a teacher has is found 'down the hall;' the teacher's peers, para-educators, previous-years' teachers, office staff, custodians.....all the adults in the building respecting each other and working together. This is essential for the benefit of the students and 'survival' of each other.

•'Real life' for our students is what they REALLY need to know for next year's classes. I tell my 8th graders, REAL LIFE for them is the next 4 to 8 years of math classes. They DO NOT get to decide TODAY what type of math skills they will need for their future lives.....BUT will be prepared with the SKILLS to decide MUCH LATER.

•It is CRUCIAL to learn to TAKE CARE of YOURSELF!

TEACHING is exhausting, heartbreaking, REWARDING, exhilarating, all-consuming.
It is a WAY OF LIFE and I DO love it....most of the time!