I know that as first year teachers, we all have a great deal on our plate. And some worries and concerns weigh bigger on our minds than others. What are your biggest concerns as a first year teacher? Mine vary depending on the day and how much I thought I but into it all...LOL I think my three biggest worries are: 1. Not being able to adequately get across the subject matter so that the kids actually learn something. 2. Not passing the General Knowledge exam and end up losing my certification. 3. Not getting my contract renewed for next school year. I think everything else I can deal with it as it comes.
Last year was my first year, and the thing I was most worried about was classroom management. I felt that my teacher education program had completely dropped the ball on that area and that I was totally unprepared. My first year turned out fine in terms of classroom management once I realized that I held a lot of power in my classroom. I didn't let the kids screw around with me--they either behaved appropriately or they left.
1. I'm afraid I will get a job the day before school starts (but that beats not getting a job) 2. I'm worried about planning curricula. I know the material but I'm worried I will either bite off more than I can chew or end up with too much time at the end. 3. I'm worried I will start a routine that I like (such as passing out a weekly syllabus) and something the kids expect but then get tired of doing it or I forget to do it or something. 4. Going back to biting off more than I can chew- the last thing I want to do is change things up in the middle of the year so I'm planning all sorts of classroom management things now.. but I'm worried that once I start it will be too overwhelming to keep up with.. and then I can't stop. Those are my only things, currently. I'm more afraid of not getting a job than what happens after I have one =oP
A suggestion for number 1: Give the students a diognostic type test at the beginning of the year. At the end of my first year of teaching I was still unsure if I had done my job well, but when I compared their diognostic scores to the end-of-the-year diagnostics I was amazed that they grew A LOT!! I was really glad I did the diagnostics because I would probably still wonder. I'm sure you will do great!!
As ridiculous as it sounds, I'm still afraid that someone will come along and say, "Oh, I don't think so," and strip me of the job altogether. (Hmm, could this have something to do with the fact that I won't get to sign the official contract for another two weeks?) I am also concerned that I will end up scrambling to compose my lesson plans at the last minute. I've started working on a PowerPoint presentation of my guidelines and procedures, but no one at the school has been able to locate (much less tell me about) any of the textbooks or other materials I will be using. There's more, but I must go finish packing. Did I mention that I still have to move down there, too? :help:
Yes I am starting my second year teaching, but the first time starting at the beginning of the year. 1. Forgetting students names, a lot (prone to this) 2. standing in front of students and suddenly forgetting everything I know.....and looking like an idiot 3. Making a discipline mistake, ticking off my principal and losing my job 4. Working my but off and finding out that my students all failed important tests. JUst a few minor worries.........help me!
I will be a second year teacher and I am apprehensive about getting the results from our state test for my students last year
I saw that the kids that took the standardized test in my class (before I got the job) all pretty much failed, I think it was 98% failure.....
PARENTS!!! I am terrified of them and what to say to them.....I mix up my words and start to sweat when talking with them.....This year I hope will be a little better since I have one year under my belt....I even started to write up some blanket responses to help me get my thoughts together when I call parents...
This is not my first year teaching but my first year at this grade level, at a new school, in a new district. My biggest concern is learning the school's procedures (attendance, infractions, drills, who to talk to about certain things, where things are located, etc.).
This is my second year, but in a new school, new position. I've worked so hard to get on at this district. My biggest fear is disappointing them (those that hired me)! I'm scared, but determined to not fail at anything!
My greatest fear (and I have many sub-fears) is that I won't get the curriculum across to the students in a fun way, in a way that enables them to LEARN , not memorize...and that I won't have helped them to grow as individuals, giving them the confidence to THINK and DECIDE on their own.
Kinda of the same things as some of you... A. Worried about the end of the year results if they learned or not... B. Failure on my part... C. Learning the schools rules, and procedures etc...
OK and not that I'm experience or anything but I have some suggestions for things ya'll have mentioned. In no particular order: 1) Forgetting Kids Names - Have a seating chart, have a seating chart, have a seating chart. At least for about 2 weeks of school. But more importantly, get a digital camera and take all the kids pictures. Then you can print up the pictures and study them with each class, or better yet, put their picture on top of their seat in your chart. 2) Contract Renewal - I too am concerned about it. But all that you can do is focus on being the best teacher that YOU are, not someone else. Know that if we do get released, teachers are always needed somewhere and it'll eventually work out. However, it's about to be August people. We don't need to think about this until 2008 3) Lyquid mentioned something about planning. I've learned from summer school, it's ALWAYS better to overplan than underplan. 4) Let's all remember that change is a given and it's not always a bad thing. Kids like routine and predictability, but at times they need things to be different. If you find something you NEED to change (like classroom management) then do it. Don't be afraid, just because you had a rule earlier in the year. 5) Senorita - no one is going to do a surprise assault on your classroom and steal away your credential. and i have to finish moving too. so you're fine. 6) born2teach - i'm kinda intimidated by them too. I've found that when making phone calls, to have notes, or literally what you're going to say, written out gives you some guidance. And whether it's on the phone or during a conf. anticipate how they will respond or what questions they may have. You'll be more confident when the time comes. ok hope that helps a few of you
I have a seating chart my desks are numbered and my students have numbers... they use them for tests, homework etc.... their buckle down books are numbered if i do not get it back I know who still has theirs etc.... thanks for the advice. I have 155 students. :woot:
