So you have a teaching job…now what? It’s a good question. What you will begin to realize is that much of the process of acclimating and settling into your school is, for the most part, up to you. Here are some practical suggestions that should help make your introduction to beginning teaching successful.
Visit the School’s Neighborhoods
It’s important to know the families that you will be servicing. Take the time to visit a representation of all the communities that feed into your school. If you’re looking for a place to live, consider the pros and cons of living in one of the school’s neighborhoods—for a new teacher, I wouldn’t advise it.
Make an Appointment with the School Secretary and Principal to Visit the School
Call the school secretary, introduce (or reintroduce) yourself—tell her how excited you are to join the staff and ask to set up a visit to the school, an appointment to meet with her and an appointment to meet with the principal. It’s critical to realize the importance and clout of a school secretary. She can answer many imperative questions that will help you get set up and understand school procedures. Plan and organize the questions* ahead of time—this is not only professional, it tells the secretary and principal that you value their time. On the day of this visit, wear clothes that would be appropriate to wear in the classroom. For summer and school workdays in your classroom, remember the 3 Cs are a good rule, of thumb—CASUAL, COMFORTABLE and CONSERVATIVE. If still in doubt, ask an experienced teacher at your school.
With the exception of critical questions, as new concerns arise:
- Keep a list
- Organize the list into common topics
- Make a phone appointment to discuss
Look below for questions to ask and note that some questions should be directed to the school secretary and others to the principal. Knowing the distinction between the two is important.
*Review 30 Questions to Ask During the First Days of School, on the NEA website http://www.nea.org/teachexperience/begtk030826.html
Note: The first 9 and the following questions are best suited for the school secretary: Question #s 12, 13, 21, 24, 25. Ask the principal the other questions. In addition to this list…
Ask the secretary about: parking, classroom location, when you can get your key, number of students in your classroom, when you can get student contact information, and the teacher binder with school rules and procedures
Ask the principal about: classroom aide/assistant (days/hours assigned to you, name and background of this person), mentoring and professional development for new teachers, curriculum guidelines, evaluation procedures and documentation requirements for new teachers, and other assigned duties.
Additional Sources and Further Recommended Reading
Williamson, Bonnie. (1998). A First-Year Teacher’s Guidebook. Sacramento, CA: Dynamic Teaching Company.
This is the last of the five articles in this series. Check back regularly at www.newteachernews.com
- For other helpful articles, teaching tips and templates to help you set up your first classroom
Join our blog- Chat with other new and experienced teachers…Check-in on Amber’s progress as she begins her first year of teaching!
- To find out more about the series of 10 quick-read books that address the top struggles of new teachers, click this link for the New Teacher Collection or email the author at nmannix@aol.com
If your district provides new teacher training, consider passing this on to your new teacher induction coordinators or trainers.
Growing Through Teaching, Inc. offers customized professional development for K-8 teachers new to the teaching profession,
Great Beginnings…Practical Professional Development for Teachers in Their First Year of Teaching
For an appointment to speak with one of the professional development facilitators please email info@growingthroughgames.com or call 1-800-822-8090.
