It has been several months since I took my much needed hiatus from blogging (and most of the other aspects of my life that didn't involve teaching!). With my first full-year of teaching in my current district under my belt, it's safe to say I've learned A LOT about education, management, and most importantly - myself. Bringing my first year full-circle, I decided to write a letter to myself that I wish I had on the first day of school. Whether you're just beginning this journey, are in the middle of all the action, or are nearing retirement, maybe you can take away a lesson from my experiences.
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Dear first-year Emily,
You did it! You've landed your first real big-kid job, you've spent all summer organizing and developing a positive classroom environment, and your curriculum is starting to take it's shape. I'm sure your eyes are wide, your smile is huge, your heart is pumping, and you're already lacking sleep from the adrenaline of your impending adventure. Well, your future self has two words for you: slow down!!! Here are a few things you should consider before leaping head-first into the chaos.
1. You don't always have to say "yes!"
You're new to your school district and building. As the new kid around, you want to make a good impression and build a reputation of being a great co-worker, motivated employee, and reliable colleague. Guess what? That doesn't mean you have to agree to everything and anything you're asked, or take every single opportunity that presents itself to you. Of course, it's important that you participate in school events and immerse yourself in your school community, but you also have to maintain a normal sense of sanity. You are only human and unfortunately, you (most likely) don't have super powers either. It's OKAY to say no, whether it be to heading up a committee, volunteering your time for a school dance, or telling a co-worker that you aren't able to pilot a program they are interested in using. If you over-book yourself your first year, which is already stressful enough with day-to-day events, you won't make it far in your career. Have you heard of (and heaven forbid witnessed) a burnt-out teacher? I'd safely bet on it that they've said "yes" one too many times. Don't let that be you! Get in the game, but be practical. You're not a machine!
2. Write things down!
This first year is going to go by quickly. When you've got a minute (or realistically, a few seconds), write down important things that happen, funny stories, changes you'd like to make, or just your thoughts. Keep a notebook on your desk in a safe but accessible location. Add tabs for important things you'd like to write down such as (1) funny stories, (2) wish list [improvements you'd like to make in the future], (3) changes for next year, (4) pros/cons [explain things that really work and what doesn't work], and (5) self-reminders [things to remind your future self]. It might seem tedious and time-consuming now, but your future self will definitely be grateful. You would much rather take time to write it down as it happens than try and remember it on a Friday afternoon when your brain is only focusing on crashing on your couch with a pizza and a Netflix marathon that you'll fall asleep to before the clock hits 7:00pm. (Oh yes, disclaimer - Friday nights will most likely be devoted to sleeping, not socializing. Trust me, it will be glorious!).
3. Teach deeper, not wider
By now, you've probably sat down with a colleague or two to talk about curriculum. How exciting, fun, and stressful at the same time! You've covered it all: what topics you'd like to cover, what standards you need to cover, and what activities you want to incorporate. Education is not what it used to be, and there's a lot of pressure for you to teach multiple years worth of content in one year. To be successful as a teacher and to be an effective teacher, I strongly suggest that you teach DEEPER, not WIDER. What I mean by that is, take a step back from your curriculum and decide what is a necessity to teach, and what isn't. If you spend the year sprinting through various units and just scratching the surface of a multitude of topics, did you effectively educate your students? Or, did you just expose them to a million topics they've probably forgotten by Monday morning? Whenever you can, strip down your curriculum and focus on what's most important, and teach those topics deeply. Spend more time on the important stuff and less time on the non-vital topics. I'd much rather spend an afternoon reading one good book slowly, soaking up each page, than skimming ten books at once only to realize I didn't really grasp the story lines at all. Remember, deeper, not wider.
4. Socialize
It's honorable that you love your job more than anything in the world, and you'd rather spend an evening in your classroom (after an already stressful 8-hour day of school) than go to dinner with your best friend whom you haven't seen in a month, or attend your nephew's softball game. But guess what... your job will always be waiting for you. That activity you want to do next week can wait until tomorrow, and your desk will get cleaned eventually (or when you get really swift, you get a student to do it!). Life is always moving forward, and what gets you through the good times and the bad are the PEOPLE in your life, not the to-do's on your list. Of course I'm not suggesting that you leave at the end of the day with no tangible plans ready for tomorrow, but I am suggesting that you take some time for yourself every week and go spend time with the people who matter to you. Your students will probably think you live in your classroom - don't let that silly idea become a reality. Set a time for yourself to go home every night, and stick to it. If you have to bring some work home, it happens. But don't become obsessed. Spend time with your family, stay out a little too late every once and a while, see that movie you've been anticipating, or do a little retail therapy. You need to be happy and have fulfilling relationships if you want even the slightest chance at being a successful teacher.
5. Go big or go home
You've made it this far already. It's not time to start slacking! As they say, "go big, or go home." Most teachers I've met are not impulsive, impractical adrenaline junkies. I'd say teachers are pretty thoughtful, methodical, play-it-safe type of people. Take chances and try new things! Some of the most rewarding experiences in your career will be when you chose to do things you never thought you would do. Join a teacher bowling league, agree to help with the school play, organize a spirit day to your principal, say yes to that offer to represent your school at a conference, set up a fundraiser for a local charity, anything! Of course, don't over do-it and agree to too much, but enough playing it safe. This is your career, and you should live it to the fullest! You might be surprised at what you're capable of and the amazing memories that come from those experiences.
At the end of the day, no matter what, your first year is going to be one for the history books. It will be stressful, it will be memorable, but most of all, it will be rewarding. Sure, you'll probably work way more than your contractually paid to work, you'll sleep less and when you do sleep, you'll have dreams related to school, but this is the big league and you're doing what you've always wanted to do. This is your career, and you've got to make all of those years in school (not to mention the debt you've racked up) worth it. Being a first-year teacher is a lot like being a ring master of a circus in the sense that you're juggling an endless amount of tasks at once, many of which involve wild animals or an unnatural amount of glitter, but you'll make it work. Rely on those around you, ask for help when you need it, and take time for yourself so you don't become lost. You didn't make it this far on luck, so go out there and own it. You're shaping the lives of kids and making a difference every single day. What can be better than that?
With love and support,
Your future-self Emily :)
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