| So you are done with college and ready to return to | | | | so wrapped up in your students and career that you |
| school as an elementary teacher. You are teaching | | | | forget the most important piece of the puzzle, you! |
| during some major transition years. These are the | | | | Did you know that the first two years of teaching |
| years students are still in baby mode and you have | | | | will be your sickest years? That is because your |
| to teach them independence. Do not stress, you will | | | | body has to adjust and build antibodies against all the |
| be fine. It has been done before. Every great | | | | viruses and bacteria that students will bring into the |
| teacher had a first year! Below you will fine a few | | | | classroom. Take a multivitamin to keep you healthy |
| tips to help you get through your first year of | | | | and your body strong. You are no good to the |
| teaching. | | | | students if you are sick and out of work. Also, |
| Classroom Management | | | | budget, budget, budget! Why would budgeting be |
| First, what is classroom management? Classroom | | | | mentioned in this paragraph? It is a common |
| management is the management of student conduct. | | | | complaint of teachers to be underpaid. Not handling |
| It is the process of ensuring that the classroom and | | | | your finances can cause serious stress in your life |
| lessons run smoothly despite disruptions that may | | | | which can affect your mental health and eventually |
| occur during the day. Classroom management is the | | | | your physical health. Take the time to manage your |
| key to a successful and effective first year. One | | | | money and avoid the "I am broke blues." Lastly, |
| mistake a first year teacher can make is not putting | | | | remember your life lessons, drink your water, |
| enough detail into their classroom management plan. | | | | exercise, and get some sleep. |
| You do not want to forget about all parts of the | | | | Do Your Job Well |
| classroom when creating your classroom procedures | | | | If you are reading this article then you live in the 21st |
| and routines. Every teacher knows about the general | | | | century. Well, so do your students. Although your |
| rules when planning a classroom like "no talking when | | | | students are in the beginning of their learning careers, |
| the teacher is talking" or "keep your hands to | | | | they are still very advanced. Technology is their |
| yourself." What about other rules and parts of the | | | | friend, so technology is your friend. You are |
| day. If you are not careful simple transitions can | | | | competing with computers, cell phones and portable |
| become a major hassle. When planning and organizing | | | | video games; do not be afraid to bring technology |
| your classroom, ask yourself questions like "How will | | | | into the classroom. Also, use your mentor. Your |
| students sharpen their pencils? How will students be | | | | mentor can be a great support system for you. |
| allowed to go to the bathroom? When will students | | | | Mentors are experienced teachers with many |
| be allowed to go to their storage space?" When you | | | | classroom strategies and successful lesson plans. Use |
| ask for homework, you do not want 15 students | | | | that experienced resource and the ideas that come |
| running to their book bags. That will get annoying for | | | | with it. Remember, you are a professional now and |
| you really quick. | | | | although you are new to teaching you can still be a |
| Take Care of Your Body and Health | | | | valuable asset. Share ideas that have worked for you |
| Becoming a teacher requires plenty of work on your | | | | and ask for suggestions to improve on those that did |
| part. You are setting up your classroom, creating | | | | not. Like I said before, every great teacher had a |
| lesson plans, and just busy being busy. You are now | | | | first year. |