To All The Teachers

We have just completed the second week of July, which means that teachers will begin preparing for the next school year.  It is only a few weeks away.  Here's a little thought for all the teachers.

To the teacher about to begin your first year:
Sleep for the next few weeks.  Start setting your clock a little earlier.  Be prepared to be tired for about ten months.  It’s going to be a tiring year, but it will also be a great one if you dive in.  Learn everything you can, and let go of the small stuff. 

If you have started having dreams (or nightmares) about school, don’t worry.  That is normal . . . and they ALMOST NEVER come true.  I’ve been teaching 16 years, and I still have strange school dreams during the last few weeks of summer.  (My favorite was the one where I had to teach outside because we ran out of classrooms.  That one is right up there with the one where I taught high school after lunch and 2nd grade in the mornings.)


To the teacher about to begin your second year:
If you woke up this morning worried that you have forgotten how to teach during the summer, don’t worry.  That is normal . . . and you didn’t.  I’ve been teaching 16 years, and I still have that thought about this time of year.  You will only get better this year, but don’t expect to be comfortable until next year.


To the teacher about to begin your third year:
This is the year it will all start clicking.  You know your material well enough to focus on your kids.  You were able to replace some of the things that didn’t work your first year last year, and you have reasons for the things you do.  Parents won’t view you as “new” any more, which will automatically give you a little less stress.  Have confidence, but don’t get so cocky that you think you have nothing else to learn.


To the teacher about to begin your fourth (or higher) year:
Remember what it was like to be in your first or second year, and help the poor teacher down the hall.  You have knowledge to share, so pay forward what was given to you in those early years.  Remember what Harry Wong said, “Great teachers aren’t born; they are made by the teacher next door.”  Get good ideas from those younger teachers, and be inspired by their energy.  Let’s all keep learning together.