1. Sarcasm and humor SHOULD be used.
In my ethics class, I learned that I shouldn't use sarcasm, and I was afraid. I'm not sure how to communicate without it. I'm secondary certified, but I currently teach on the lower end of that spectrum: 12-13 year olds. I tried at first to never use sarcasm, and that lasted the first half of first period. Then I realized--many don't even get sarcasm! I suddenly felt like my duty as a teacher had been revealed: teach them sarcasm, and applaud the ones who do get it--they shall go far. Also, it's ok to make yourself laugh--sometimes it's contagious. Lesson: Don't stop being funny, the classroom is like a place for stand up comedy, embrace that!
2. Picking on students is OK! You're not a bad person for doing that.
You hear early on that in order to be a good teacher you shouldn't pick on students or embarrass them. HA! I always tell my students: if you're talking and/or disrupting class, you show me that you want attention and so I'll give it to you. (Disclosure: I also tell them to come talk to me or write me a note if they feel hurt/picked on. I never want to demean them or ruin their childhood). This is such a great classroom management tool! Sometimes, the only way a student will realize that they're being incredibly obnoxious is to point it out to them in front of everyone else. My favorite moments of being asked, yes asked, to teach have occurred after this. Students also repeat directions to others and tell them to pay attention thanks to this great tool.
3. There are plenty of teaching jobs, but little money
You will never get paid enough for the job that you do. Ever. In fact, you should just list your teaching jobs under community service. Love it, or don't do it.
4. You'll have more homework than you have ever had
Lesson planning, grading, and coming up with creative ideas....somehow I thought I'd get time for that during the school day. Nope. And somehow I also never made the connection that teaching would give me more homework....oops. Hello reality check!
5. Show movies, even without an educational reason, because you are a human!
Need I say more? Sometimes, you and the kids could really benefit from a day with less of you, and more of a movie screen. Don't feel ashamed, embrace it.
6. Students will fail, and sometimes there's nothing you can do about it
This one's a little more serious for me. In college you're filled with ideal dreams of how NO student EVER will fail your class, and you help motivate them and inspire them. Good and bad news: with that attitude, you can build great relationships with students and really help them, however, there is a point where you truly cannot help a student pass (unless you are able to go home with them and do their work for them...that's creepy). Students at some time in their life, need to learn responsibility and how to get work in. Now, I try from the first day of school to teach them about intrinsic motivation, and help them to set goals. Sometimes, though, they just don't want to. And I can only do so much. That's where parenting can come in...
7. Bribery is ok
Movie, candy, class party, work time...just use this sometimes. It really helps.
8. Count spelling
OH. MY. GOSH. Unless you make spelling matter, no one else will. Do something about this problem because you are only harming them by telling them that they don't need to spell correctly. YES THEY DO!! Urgh.
9. You don't need to check state standards before each lesson
If you're an intelligent, educated human your lessons usually line up with standards. When you need to, make them line up. I was terrified that I had to create a lesson plan for everything, and daily check the standards. I don't, and you know what, my students still do great (even according to standardized tests--a whole other category).
10. Have fun and be honest
Not everything has to be serious. My students and I have a secret signal--if I scratch my head, they burst out in applause (this is great when administrators come). If I'm sick, I warn the kids to be nice so that I don't explode. Take the students on power walks, tell them a funny story, or let them share one. Sometimes, everyone just needs some joy thrown into the day.
Any advice you have to add?
Lesson learned,
Mrs. B
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