by Jeffrey A Fuller

Created on: July 12, 2010   Last Updated: July 21, 2010

The first year in the classroom for any teacher can be a very trying. College professors, writers, friends and family members overload new teachers with mounds of advice intended to make their first year most pleasant. So much information is piled on that new teachers can't figure out where to start. Besides, much of the advice seems very contradicting. It is everyone's goal that all teachers enter the profession ready and able to succeed and endure the trials and tribulations.

First off, realize that all teachers make mistakes, especially during the first year. Despite all the training provided in college, new teachers have only scratched the surface. Because there is so much to learn, experience is the best, and sometimes the only, teacher. Colleges cannot possibly prepare educators for everything they may encounter. So loosen up and prepare to be humble. Know that some mistakes cannot be avoided, so be ready to accept responsibility.

Second, don’t try to be every student’s friend. The first and most natural inclination for a teacher is to have all students like them, and an overboard effort to please every student is most likely to cause harm toward building overall rapport. Understand that it is first and foremost the teacher's responsibility to be the adult in the classroom by making the best decisions for students, despite the fact that they will not always like them. Teachers that firmly hold their ground eventually earn the respect and appreciation of most students.   

However, there's always a few holdouts. No matter how much effort a teacher puts forth, they can never seem to crack the resistive shell that life has built around some kids. Not every child can be saved, and teachers who hold to the illusion that they can, will most likely suffer from early burnout. However there is the comforting thought that to some degree teachers will have a positive effect on every child, but this may not be realized until years later.

Lastly, don't quit expecting to find greener pastures somewhere else. Things may be tough at present, but the truth is, every school has their own set of problems. It's best to learn how to overcome current difficulties with experience, than to take on the unknown. Besides future employers find experience of five or more years on the same job more valuable. Perseverance is regarded very highly in the profession of education.

Keeping these points in mind during the first year will help you toward success. Also, become acquainted with educators who seem to have mastered the teaching craft, and accept all advice given by every educator you meet. After the third year in the classroom everything will begin to come together, and after the fifth year all will make perfect sense. Goog Luck!

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